Who leads the initial training for a Chatime franchise?
Chatime Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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. You, your General Manager(s), and key management personnel, (as defined in your Franchise Agreement) must complete the Initial Training Program to our satisfaction. Initial training must be commenced by the designated persons no earlier than two months prior to the opening date of your Chatime Store, and prior to the opening dated of your Chatime Store. Scheduling of the Initial Training Program is based on the projected opening date for your franchise business or your Store. (Article 3 and Clause 5.1 of the Franchise Agreement).
The Initial Training Program is designed to address all phases of the operation of a franchise business and your Chatime 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. We will provide additional Initial Training Programs for any additional personnel at your cost. (Article 3 of the Franchise Agreement).
The Initial Training Program must be successfully completed to our satisfaction. If you do not complete all training and certification requirements in a timely manner and in line with training
benchmarks and to our satisfaction, you will be liable for all additional training costs and your opening will be delayed, all costs incurred due to the delay will be borne by you. In the event you don't complete the approved training programs within a reasonable time, or as agreed to in writing with the franchisor, we retain the right to terminate your Franchise Agreement. (Article 3 of the Franchise Agreement).
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 is led by Justin Higgins, the Director of Operations. As of the FDD date, Justin Higgins has been with the Chatime brand since February 2024. He possesses over ten years of experience in franchising and restaurant operations, specifically in leading people, operations, and training functions across multi-site customer-facing operations.
Chatime's initial training is mandatory for all franchisees, their General Managers, and key management personnel. This training is designed to cover all aspects of operating a Chatime franchise. The initial training program lasts approximately two weeks and accommodates a maximum of four people trained together at one time. Additional training for more personnel is available, but at the franchisee's expense.
The initial training is conducted at designated company-owned locations in Southern California, approved training locations, Chatime stores, or even at the franchisee's own Chatime location. The training must start no earlier than two months before the store's opening date. Failing to complete the training and certification requirements may result in additional costs for further training and delays in the store's opening, with all associated costs borne by the franchisee. Chatime also retains the right to terminate the Franchise Agreement if the training programs are not completed within a reasonable timeframe.