When must the initial training for a Chatime store be completed?
Chatime Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (1) Franchisor will provide to Franchisee, Guarantor, and any senior managers nominated by Franchisor (up to a maximum of 4 people), a minimum of two weeks continuous days training in English (Initial Training), by one or more Franchisor representatives. Franchisee shall pay Franchisor an Initial Training Fee for the Initial Training. The Initial Training will be conducted at any place designated by Franchisor. Franchisee must ensure that the Initial Training is commenced by the designated persons no earlier than two months prior to your Chatime Store's Opening and completed by no later than your Chatime Store's Opening.
- (2) If deemed necessary by Franchisor, additional training will be provided by Franchisor either immediately following the Initial Training or otherwise at a place and time determined by Franchisor. Franchisor may charge Franchisee a reasonable fee for such additional training, in addition to the travel, meal and accommodation costs of the trainers, and Franchisee must pay that fee upon receipt of an invoice from Franchisor.
- (3) In relation to the initial training described in clause 3.1(1) or 3.1(2), Franchisee agrees to:
- (a) Ensure that all relevant persons attend the training at such times and places specified by Franchisor and complete their training to Franchisor's satisfaction; and
- (b) Bear the full costs and risk of all trainees' attendance at such training programs (including their compensation, travel, accommodation, meals, employee wages and entitlements, uniforms, workers' compensation insurance and personal expenses).
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 58–262)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chatime's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the initial training must commence no earlier than two months prior to the store's opening and be completed no later than the store's opening date. This initial training is provided to the franchisee, guarantor, and any senior managers nominated by Chatime, up to a maximum of four people. The training, conducted in English by Chatime representatives, spans a minimum of two weeks of continuous days.
The franchisee is responsible for ensuring that all relevant individuals attend and successfully complete the training to Chatime's satisfaction. This includes bearing the costs and risks associated with the trainees' attendance, such as compensation, travel, accommodation, meals, wages, uniforms, workers' compensation insurance, and personal expenses. Chatime may also provide additional training immediately following the initial training or at a later time and place determined by them, for which they may charge a reasonable fee, in addition to covering the trainers' travel, meal, and accommodation costs.
For a prospective Chatime franchisee, this means planning to allocate sufficient time and resources for the mandatory initial training. The franchisee needs to factor in the two-week training period, plus any potential additional training, when setting the store's opening date. Furthermore, the franchisee should budget for all associated costs, including travel and accommodation for themselves and their team. Failing to complete the training satisfactorily or not having a qualified manager in place could lead to Chatime appointing a manager at the franchisee's expense, highlighting the importance of thorough preparation and commitment to the training program.