Who is responsible for the travel, lodging, and meal expenses associated with the pre-opening training for a Chocolate Bash franchise?

According to Chocolate Bash's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for covering the costs of travel, lodging, meals, and any other out-of-pocket expenses incurred during the pre-opening training program. Chocolate Bash itself does not charge a fee for the pre-opening training. This training is made available to the Principal Executive and up to two additional employees. The training takes place at Chocolate Bash's headquarters or at a designated Chocolate Bash business location.

This means that while the initial training is provided without a direct fee from Chocolate Bash, franchisees must budget for and personally cover all associated travel and living costs for themselves and their staff. These costs can vary significantly depending on the training location and duration, so prospective franchisees should factor these expenses into their initial investment calculations.

It is also important to note that Chocolate Bash reserves the right to modify the length and content of the initial training program based on the experience and skill level of the individuals attending. This flexibility could impact the overall cost if a longer or more intensive training period is deemed necessary. Franchisees should discuss the typical duration and content of the training program with Chocolate Bash to better estimate these potential expenses.