Does Chesters provide an initial brand standard training program to instruct franchisees and their employees?
Chesters Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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Before the Restaurant opens, your manager and the employees we designate must attend and complete our initial brand standard training program to our satisfaction. [Agreement — Sections 4 and 7] The initial brand standard training program will occur at the Restaurant, so we do not anticipate any travel, lodging, and living expenses for your trainees. You and your employees must pay all expenses incurred in attending brand standard training programs that are not at the Restaurant. We have the right to provide additional brand standard training programs we deem appropriate. With our prior written approval, your training managers may train new and additional Restaurant employees.
The initial brand standard training program will last up to 4 days and includes classroom instruction and/or on-the-job training. We conduct training on an as-needed basis at your Restaurant. Training should be scheduled so that your trainees successfully complete the initial brand standard training program and graduate about 1 week before the Restaurant opens.
Other than the initial brand standard training program discussed above, we generally do not require additional training or refresher courses unless we deem it necessary if your Restaurant fails an inspection or is not prepared for training, in our sole discretion, despite indicating otherwise, in which case we may charge you $1,000 a day for such additional training. If we provide other additional training or refresher training courses upon your request, we reserve the right to charge you an additional training charge based on the nature of such additional training, and you are responsible for expenses incurred in attending additional training or refresher training that is not conducted at the Restaurant.
David Wulf has been with us since June 2013.He is the Regional Director – Northeast Region, and previously served as Regional Director – East Region, where he coordinates all of our initial brand standards training programs in that region. Oliver Vereschagin has been with us as Regional Director-West Region since May 2017 and coordinates all of our initial brand standards training programs in that region. Michael Kaspar is the Regional Director – Southeast Region, and previously served as a Territory Performance Manager. Messrs. Wulf, Vereschagin and Kaspar
together have over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry as General Manager, Certified Training Manager, and Area Supervisor with several quick-service restaurant concepts.
Direct supervision of classroom and in-restaurant training is provided by staff and Area Developers with previous CHESTER'S Restaurant management and training experience. Each staff person will train in the particular area(s) in which he or she has experience. Instructional materials include a set of Restaurant Training Guides, handouts, and charts.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 24–29)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chesters's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Chesters does provide an initial brand standard training program. Before the restaurant opens, the franchisee's manager and designated employees must attend and complete this program to Chesters's satisfaction. This training is conducted at the restaurant location. The FDD specifies that Chesters will provide this initial training to instruct franchisees and their employees about the required procedures and techniques to operate the restaurant.
The initial brand standard training program lasts up to 4 days and includes both classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Chesters conducts training on an as-needed basis at the franchisee's restaurant, scheduling it to ensure trainees complete the program about one week before the restaurant's opening. The training program covers various subjects, including Chester’s Story and Training Overview, Review of Operations Manuals/Recipe Books/Training Guides, LSM & Marketing Review, MenuBuilder, Restaurant Management, Inventory Control/Ordering Guide, Training Discussion/Support Visit Follow Up, Customer Service, Food Preparation Procedures, Packaging Procedures, Filtering and BoilOut of Fryers, Breakfast Preparation, Product Preparation, Product Specifications and Packaging, and Customer Service Practicum.
Direct supervision of the classroom and in-restaurant training is provided by staff and Area Developers with previous Chesters restaurant management and training experience. Instructional materials include a set of Restaurant Training Guides, handouts, and charts. Chesters also has the right to provide additional brand standard training programs they deem appropriate. If the additional training is not at the restaurant, the franchisee and their employees must pay for all expenses incurred. If a restaurant fails an inspection or is not prepared for training, Chesters may charge $1,000 a day for such additional training.