Is the 'Operations and Training Manager' for Chatime required to complete initial training?
Chatime Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (45) Operations and Training Manager means the sufficiently experienced, skilled, and qualified person employed by Franchisee on a full-time basis, who after attending and successfully completing to Franchisor's satisfaction the training referred to in clause 3.1, must oversee all aspects of the operation of the Outlet and ensure the Outlet complies with the operational standards of the System and that the staff of the Outlet are fully trained.
3.1 Initial Training
- (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 Operations and Training Manager must attend and successfully complete the training referred to in clause 3.1 to the Franchisor's satisfaction. The Operations and Training Manager is defined as a sufficiently experienced, skilled, and qualified person employed by the franchisee on a full-time basis. This manager must oversee all aspects of the outlet's operation, ensure compliance with the system's operational standards, and ensure that the outlet staff are fully trained.
Clause 3.1 outlines the initial training program, which involves a minimum of two weeks of continuous training in English provided by Chatime representatives to the franchisee, guarantor, and any senior managers nominated by Chatime (up to a maximum of 4 people). The franchisee is responsible for paying an initial training fee for this program, which will be conducted at a location designated by Chatime. This training must commence no earlier than two months before the Chatime store's opening and be completed by the opening date.
If Chatime deems it necessary, additional training may be provided either immediately following the initial training or at another time and place determined by Chatime. The franchisee may be charged a reasonable fee for this additional training, along with the travel, meal, and accommodation costs of the trainers. The franchisee must ensure that all relevant personnel attend and complete the training to Chatime's satisfaction and bear all costs associated with their attendance, including compensation, travel, accommodation, meals, wages, uniforms, and insurance.