Where might Chatime conduct the Initial Training Program?
Chatime Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Obligation | Article in Franchise | FDD Item | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agreement (FA) or Multi-Unit Development Agreement (MDA) | |||
| q. Owner’s participation/ | FA: Articles 5, 8, and 9 | Items 11 and 15 | |
| management/staffing | MDA: Articles 3 and 4 | ||
| r. Records and reports | FA: Article 5 MDA: Article 4 | Item 6 | |
| s. Inspections and audits | FA: Article 5 MDA: Article 4 | Items 6 and 11 | |
| t. Transfer | FA: Articles 12 and 13 MDA: Articles 10 and 11 | Item 17 | |
| u. Renewal | FA: Articles 2 and 6 MDA: Article 2 | Item 17 | |
| v. Post-termination obligations | FA: Article 17 MDA: Articles 6, 7 and 15 | Item 17 | |
| w. Non-competition covenants | FA: Article 9 MDA: Articles 7 and 15 | Item 17 | |
| x. Dispute resolution | FA: Article 16 MDA: Article 14 | Item 17 | |
| y. Other | FA: Article 25 MDA: Article 23 | None | |
| Hours of | Hours of | ||
| Subject | Classroom Training | On-the-Job Training | |
| Corporate and Training Overview and Introduction | 6 to 8 | ||
| Front of House Counter Operation | 6 to 8 | ||
| Back of House Kitchen Operation | 6 to 8 | ||
| Outlet Opening and Closing Procedures | 6 to 8 | ||
| Point of Sale Training | 2 to 4 | ||
| Inventory and Stock Controls | 6 to 8 | ||
| Initial Training is conducted in our designated company-owned locations in Southern California, or at one of our Chatime approved training locations or Chatime Stores or at your Chatime location. Training will be led by Justin Higgins, our Director of Operations. Justin has been with the Chatime brand since February 2024. Justin has more than ten years' experience in franchising and restaurant operations leading people, operations and training functions across multi-site customer facing operations. |
The Initial Training program is mandatory for all franchisees.
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 27–35)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chatime's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Initial Training Program may be conducted at several locations. These include Chatime's designated company-owned locations in Southern California, Chatime-approved training locations, existing Chatime Stores, or even at the franchisee's own Chatime location. Training may also be conducted at Chatime's headquarters or virtually.
This provides flexibility for both Chatime and the franchisee. The franchisee may be able to complete training without incurring significant travel costs if it is held at their own store or a nearby location. However, the FDD also states that if the franchisee attends the Initial Training Program or later training programs in a location other than one of Chatime's training centers, they may be charged certain additional costs such as their portion of the costs for the meeting room which will be required to be paid in full prior to the opening of their location.
The Initial Training Program is mandatory for all franchisees, their General Managers, and key management personnel. It must be commenced no earlier than two months prior to the store's opening date. The training is designed to cover all phases of operating a Chatime franchise and store. The Initial Training Program involves approximately two weeks of instruction for up to a maximum of four persons trained together at the same time. Chatime will provide additional Initial Training Programs for any additional personnel at the franchisee's cost.
Chatime also states that they may require franchisees to complete additional training or refresher courses, which may be conducted in person, digitally, or through a combination of blended learning. All training will be conducted in English, and franchisees and their managers must have sufficient literacy and fluency in English to satisfactorily complete the Initial Training Program.