What training is required before a Chatime store opens for business?
Chatime Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| nventory and Stock Controls | 6 to 8 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Training is conducted in our designated company-owned locations in Southern California, or at one of our Chatime approved training locations or Chatime Stores or at your Chatime location. Training will be led by Justin Higgins, our Director of Operations. Justin has been with the Chatime brand since February 2024. Justin has more than ten years' experience in franchising and restaurant operations leading people, operations and training 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. 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).
Source: Item 15 — Obligation to Participate in the Actual Operation of the Franchise Business (FDD pages 41–42)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chatime's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, initial training is mandatory for all franchisees, their General Managers, and key management personnel. This training must start no earlier than two months before the store's opening date. The initial training program is designed to cover all aspects of operating a Chatime franchise and store. The program lasts approximately two weeks and accommodates a maximum of four people at a time. Additional personnel can be trained at the franchisee's expense. The initial training is conducted at designated company-owned locations in Southern California, Chatime-approved training locations, Chatime stores, or at the franchisee's Chatime location.
The initial training fee is $5,000 per Franchise Agreement. Franchisees are also responsible for covering their employees' uniforms, salaries, accommodations, meals, and travel expenses while attending the training. The FDD estimates travel and living expenses at $200 per person per day. If the training occurs at a location other than one of Chatime's training centers, additional costs, such as meeting room expenses, may be charged.
Successful completion of the initial training program is mandatory. Failure to meet training benchmarks or complete the program satisfactorily can result in additional training costs and delays in the store's opening, with all associated costs borne by the franchisee. Chatime retains the right to terminate the Franchise Agreement if the approved training programs are not completed within a reasonable time or as agreed upon in writing.
Chatime also requires that the managing owner and operating manager attend and complete the initial training program to Chatime's satisfaction before the Chatime store opens for business. Furthermore, franchisees and their managers must have sufficient literacy and fluency in English to complete the Initial Training Program and communicate effectively with employees, customers, and suppliers.