What is the duration of the training program that a Christian Brothers Automotive Service Manager must complete?
Christian_Brothers_Automotive Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Prior to opening or taking over operations of your franchise business, the Principal Operator of the franchise must have attended and successfully completed our management training courses to our satisfaction. This training will be conducted through an online training portal, at our offices in Houston, Texas, and field-training at a location(s) we designate. In addition, the Principal Operator's Service Manager must attend and successfully complete our management training course held at our offices in Houston, Texas. Training programs are offered periodically as needed to meet the demands of new and existing Principal Operators. We may periodically offer additional training programs to you and your Service Manager, covering such subjects as: new products or procedures, operating techniques, new methods, marketing, bookkeeping, accounting and general operating procedures, the establishment, use, development and improvement of computer systems, and overall skill development. Attendance by you and/or your Service Manager may be mandatory or optional, at our discretion. There is no charge for mandatory training courses, however we may charge for optional training courses. All expenses (such as travel, room, and board) that you and your personnel incur while attending or obtaining all training will be borne entirely by you.
Our training staff is comprised of Home Office-based team members as well as existing and established Christian Brothers Automotive franchisees as part of our Certified Training Locations (CTL) and Certified Field Trainer (CFT) programs. The training staff consists of 35 persons, who have accumulated over 240 years of experience with CBAC in various operational capacities, and over 460 years of related automotive experience or education. Currently, our training programs are led by Brad Fink, CFE. Mr. Fink has over 17 years of experience in the automotive repair and maintenance industry. He has served as a Service Manager, General Manager and multi-unit CBAC franchisee. We may use additional instructors on our training staff to conduct our training programs. Our additional instructors have CBA operations experience and strong training and development skills and abilities.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 40–52)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Christian Brothers Automotive FDD, the Service Manager must complete a one-week (33 hours) training program. This training takes place at the Christian Brothers Automotive office in Houston, Texas, but may also be facilitated virtually by members of the CBAC Training staff.
This training is mandatory for the Principal Operator’s Service Manager. The FDD specifies that the Principal Operator's Service Manager must attend and successfully complete the management training course held in Houston, Texas.
Prospective franchisees should consider the time commitment and travel expenses associated with this training when evaluating the Christian Brothers Automotive franchise opportunity. While there is no charge for the mandatory training course itself, franchisees are responsible for covering all travel, room, and board expenses incurred by themselves and their personnel while attending the training.