Is Chatime required to provide a specific amount of advance notice for meetings and conferences?
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, Chatime may convene meetings and conferences for franchisees and their key personnel. Franchisees are required to ensure their General Manager and other key personnel attend these meetings at the franchisee's own cost. The franchisee is responsible for any fees or costs associated with the meetings or conferences, including travel, accommodation, meals, employee wages, uniforms, and insurance.
Chatime is only required to provide a "reasonable period of notice" for these meetings and conferences. The FDD does not specify a particular number of days or weeks that would constitute a reasonable period. The location, agenda, duration, and procedures of each meeting will be determined by Chatime.
This lack of a specific notice period could present challenges for franchisees, as they may need to make arrangements for travel, staffing, and other logistics on short notice. It is important for prospective franchisees to discuss with Chatime what they consider to be a reasonable timeframe for advance notice of meetings and conferences to ensure they can adequately prepare and avoid potential disruptions to their business operations.