Under what conditions will Circle K charge a fee for additional or refresher training courses?
Circle_K Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
for a franchisee to review. We also reserve the right to change, dissolve or merge any LMGs.
Additional Training
We may hold additional or refresher training courses from time to time, and may require that you and your store managers attend these courses. There will be no fee charged for these courses (unless we elect to conduct training in a location near you to accommodate your needs), but you will have to pay for the costs of travel, lodging, meals, and other expenses incurred by you and your store managers in attending this training.
Any training provided by us to any of your employees will be limited to training or guiding the employees regarding the provision of approved products and services to customers in a manner that reflects the customer service standards of the Circle K System. You are, and will remain, the sole employer of your employees at all times, including during all training programs, and you are solely responsible for all employment decisions and actions related to your employees. You are solely responsible for ensuring that your employees receive adequate training.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 60–72)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Circle K's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, generally, Circle K does not charge a fee for additional or refresher training courses that they may hold. However, if Circle K elects to conduct training in a location near the franchisee to accommodate their needs, a fee may be charged.
Even when no fee is charged for the additional or refresher training courses themselves, franchisees are responsible for covering all travel, lodging, meals, and other related expenses incurred by both themselves and their store managers when attending these training sessions. This could potentially represent a significant cost, depending on the location and duration of the training.
Furthermore, if a franchisee or their manager receives a default notice related to operational standards, Circle K may require them to re-attend and successfully complete the training program at the franchisee's expense as a condition of curing the default. Also, if a franchisee fails the final exam for the classroom training or any portion of the on-the-job training, Circle K may require the franchisee to re-take the training, or any additional training they determine, at a cost of $2,000 per week. Failure to successfully complete this training will result in the termination of the agreement and the repayment of all of Circle K's expenses, including the investment they have made in the franchisee's property.