Under what circumstances is the Chesters training fee refundable?

According to Chesters's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the training fee is generally not refundable under any circumstances. Item 5 of the FDD states that a franchisee must pay Chesters a $3,500 training fee in a lump sum when signing the Franchise Agreement. The FDD explicitly states that this training fee is not refundable under any circumstances.

This policy means that once a prospective Chesters franchisee pays the $3,500 training fee, they cannot get it back, regardless of whether they complete the training, open a restaurant, or terminate the agreement. This non-refundable policy is common in franchising, as the franchisor incurs costs in preparing and delivering the training program.

Prospective franchisees should carefully consider this non-refundable aspect of the training fee before signing the Franchise Agreement and paying the fee to Chesters. It is important to be certain about your decision to invest in a Chesters franchise, as this fee represents a sunk cost.