For a Cream franchise, what is the obligation of the franchisee regarding the Initial Training Program before the Opening Date?
Cream Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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Initial and Ongoing Training
Initial Training Program. For the first Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shop that you develop, prior to your Opening Date, you (or if you are conducting business as an entity, your Principal Owner) and your Shopkeeper (together, the "Mandatory Trainees") must complete an initial training program conducted by us on the material aspects of operating a Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shop (the "Initial Training Program") to our satisfaction. We will control the substance and duration of our Initial Training Program, which will be held at a location of our choice, which may be virtual. If this is the first Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shop you develop, we will provide the Initial Training Program for up to three attendees that you select and we approve, at no cost to you, which must include your Mandatory Trainees, provided all attendees attend the Initial Training Program at the same time. We may vary the contents or duration of the Initial Training Program based on the experience, role, responsibilities of your attendees, and other factors we determine. We will also determine the timing, dates, and schedule of the Initial Training Program. If we determine that the Mandatory Trainees cannot complete the Initial Training Program to our satisfaction, we may terminate your Franchise Agreement. Scheduling of the Initial Training Program is based on the availability of the Mandatory Trainees and our trainers, training facility availability and the projected Opening Date for your Shop.
We may charge you our then-current fee for the Initial Training Program (currently $1,000 per attendee, plus reimbursement of our costs and expenses) if: (i) you request that more than three persons attend the Initial Training Program for your first Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shop, and we approve such persons to attend; (ii) we provide any portion of the Initial Training Program more than once to accommodate your attendees; and/or (iii) you request and/or we require that your Mandatory Trainees attend the Initial Training Program for the second or subsequent Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shop you develop. We may also deny your request for additional attendees at the Initial Training Program, other than the Mandatory Trainees for your first Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shop, for any reason.
As of the date of this Disclosure Document, the Initial Training Program that we provide to new Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shop franchisees is comprised of the following components:
TRAINING PROGRAM
| offered by your | Shop | . We may also require you to comply with an advertising policy which | |---|---|---| | will prohibit you from advertising any price for a product or service that is different than our | | | | suggested retail price. | | | Our training team is led by Regis Duffy, our Vice President of Shops, who has 15 years of experience with us and our affiliates and 10 years of experience with the subject matters taught. Our training materials include the Brand Manual and other training and operations materials and manuals.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 61–192)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cream's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, before opening their first shop, franchisees (or their Principal Owner if the franchisee is an entity) and their Shopkeeper (if applicable) must complete Cream's Initial Training Program to Cream's satisfaction. These individuals are referred to as "Mandatory Trainees." Cream controls the substance and duration of the training, which may be held virtually or at a location of Cream's choice.
For the first shop, Cream provides the Initial Training Program at no cost for up to three attendees selected and approved by Cream, which must include the Mandatory Trainees, provided all attendees attend the Initial Training Program at the same time. Cream may change the content or length of the training based on the attendees' experience, roles, and responsibilities. Cream also determines the timing, dates, and schedule of the Initial Training Program. If Cream decides that the Mandatory Trainees cannot complete the training satisfactorily, Cream may terminate the Franchise Agreement. If the Mandatory Trainees complete the training to Cream's satisfaction and do not request additional training, they will be considered sufficiently trained to operate a Cream shop.
Cream may charge a fee for the Initial Training Program if more than three people attend for the first shop and Cream approves their attendance, if Cream provides any part of the training more than once to accommodate attendees, or if the Mandatory Trainees attend training for a second or subsequent shop. As of the Effective Date, the fee for the Initial Training Program is $1,000 per attendee, and Cream may modify this fee by up to 10% per year on a compounding basis. Cream may also deny requests for additional attendees at the Initial Training Program, other than the Mandatory Trainees for the first shop, for any reason. Franchisees are responsible for all expenses, including wages, transportation, food, lodging, and workers' compensation insurance, incurred during any training courses and programs, including the Initial Training Program.