For Chatime meetings and conferences, who is the franchisee required to ensure attends?
Chatime Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (1) Franchisor may convene meetings and conferences (including regional meetings and conferences) from time to time for Franchisee and its key personnel designated by Franchisor, which may include other franchisees, whenever Franchisor considers this necessary or appropriate. Franchisee must ensure that the General Manager and such other key personnel of Franchisee, at Franchisee's Cost, attend such meetings and conferences. Franchisee shall pay Franchisor any fees or costs associated with the meeting or conferences plus Franchisee's associated expenses including, without limitation, costs for travel, accommodation, meals, employee wages and entitlements, uniforms, workers' compensation insurance and personal expenses.
- (2) Franchisor must give Franchisee a reasonable period of notice of meetings and conferences.
- (3) The location, agenda, duration, and all procedures and formats of each meeting and conference will be determined by Franchisor.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 58–262)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chatime's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is required to ensure that the General Manager and other key personnel attend meetings and conferences convened by the franchisor. These meetings and conferences, including regional ones, are held at Chatime's discretion whenever they deem it necessary or appropriate.
The franchisee is responsible for covering all costs associated with the attendance of their General Manager and key personnel. These costs include fees or costs associated with the meetings or conferences, travel, accommodation, meals, employee wages and entitlements, uniforms, workers' compensation insurance, and personal expenses. Chatime is required to provide a reasonable period of notice for these meetings and conferences.
The location, agenda, duration, procedures, and formats of each meeting and conference are determined solely by Chatime. This means franchisees have little to no control over these aspects and must be prepared to adapt to Chatime's requirements. Franchisees should factor in these potentially significant and recurring expenses when assessing the overall cost of operating a Chatime franchise.