Who is required to attend the Initial Training for a Chatime franchise?
Chatime Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
raining 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).
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.
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 mandatory for all franchisees. Specifically, the franchisee, their General Manager(s), and key management personnel (as defined in the Franchise Agreement) must complete the Initial Training Program to Chatime's satisfaction. This training must start no earlier than two months before the Chatime store's opening date and must be completed before the store opens. The Initial Training is conducted in English.
The Initial Training Program is designed to cover all aspects of operating a franchise business and a Chatime store. It involves approximately two weeks of instruction for up to four people trained together. Chatime charges a fee of $5,000 per Franchise Agreement for the Initial Training. The franchisee is also responsible for covering the costs for their employees to attend the training, including uniforms, salaries, accommodations, meals, and travel expenses.
If the franchisee or their personnel fail to complete the Initial Training Program successfully, they may be required to undergo additional training at their own cost. Failure to meet training benchmarks can lead to delays in the store opening, with all associated costs borne by the franchisee. In extreme cases, Chatime reserves the right to terminate the Franchise Agreement if the training programs are not completed within a reasonable time or as agreed upon in writing.