Who is responsible for the travel, lodging, and meal expenses associated with attending Circle K's additional or refresher training courses?

According to Circle K's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are responsible for covering the costs of travel, lodging, meals, and other expenses incurred by themselves and their store managers when attending any additional or refresher training courses that Circle K may require. While there is no fee charged for these additional training courses themselves (unless Circle K elects to conduct training in a location near the franchisee to accommodate their needs), the franchisee must budget for these related travel and accommodation expenses.

This means that beyond the initial franchise investment, Circle K franchisees need to factor in ongoing training costs as part of their operating expenses. These costs can fluctuate depending on the location of the training, the number of employees required to attend, and the duration of the training. It is important for prospective franchisees to inquire about the frequency and location of these additional training sessions to accurately estimate these potential costs.

This allocation of expenses is fairly typical in the franchise industry, where franchisees generally bear the costs associated with sending their personnel for training. However, it underscores the importance of budgeting and planning for these ongoing professional development requirements to maintain Circle K's standards and operational efficiency. Franchisees should discuss with Circle K the typical frequency and estimated costs of refresher training to better understand the financial implications.