Is Chatime's ongoing training for franchisees mandatory?
Chatime Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ur Franchise Agreement. (Article 3 of the Franchise Agreement).
We may require to you complete additional training or refresher courses. This includes a series of ongoing competency based training, for you, your senior managers, and any guarantors throughout the term of your agreement. Training will be conducted either in person, digitally or a combination of blended learning. All such training will be conducted in English. All such training must be successfully completed to our satisfaction. If you fail to complete the approved training programs in a timely manner and to our satisfaction, we will provide additional training at your cost at a location within your Territory or at such other location we determine. You will pay us reasonable compensation and reimburse us for all associated costs and expenses including, without limitation, costs for compensation, travel, accommodations, and meals, upon your receipt of our invoice. (Clause 3.3 of the Franchise Agreement).
You and your managers must have sufficient literacy and fluency in the English language to satisfactorily complete the Initial Training Program and communicate with your employees, customers, and suppliers. (Article 3 and Clause 5.1 of the Franchise Agreement).
For the Initial Training, you must pay us a fee. In addition, you must pay for the costs for your own employees to attend the training, including your employees' uniforms, salaries, accommodations, meals, and travel expenses. If you attend the Initial Training Program or later training programs in a location other than one of our training centers, you may be charged certain additional costs such as your portion of the costs for the meeting room which will be required to be paid in full prior to the opening of your location. (Article 3 of the Franchise Agreement).
At your request and in our discretion, we may provide additional technical and orientation personnel to assist you with developing your franchise business or operating your Chatime Store. You will be invoiced the associated expenditures of such personnel. (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, ongoing training is mandatory for franchisees, their senior managers, and any guarantors throughout the term of the franchise agreement. This ongoing training is described as a series of competency-based courses. Chatime will conduct the training in person, digitally, or through a combination of both methods, and all training will be in English.
If a franchisee fails to complete the approved training programs in a timely manner and to Chatime's satisfaction, Chatime will provide additional training at the franchisee's cost. This additional training will take place at a location within the franchisee's territory or at another location determined by Chatime. The franchisee is responsible for compensating Chatime and reimbursing all associated costs and expenses, including compensation, travel, accommodations, and meals, upon receipt of an invoice.
This requirement ensures that franchisees and their staff remain up-to-date with Chatime's standards and operational procedures. The cost of additional training due to failure to complete the programs in a timely manner represents a potential financial burden for franchisees. It is important for prospective franchisees to factor in the time and potential costs associated with ongoing training when evaluating the Chatime franchise opportunity.