What expenses are the Degree Wellness franchisee responsible for related to training programs?
Degree_Wellness Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
h additional guidance and training based on the results of these inspections.
Training Program
The Initial Training Program consists of two components: The first component being Business Training, and the second component being Studio Opening Training. You are eligible to attend Business Training only after you have a signed Lease. Typically, franchisees attend Business Training within 90 to 120 days of their anticipated Opening. The completion of Business Training is mandatory. We reserve the right to delay this training if all of the pre-training requirements, as set forth in the Manual and onboarding processes, are not met. If you are hiring a General Manager to run the studio operations, we strongly recommend you have them attend this training as well. Our business-related initial training program will be held at a classroom facility that we designate in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area, although we reserve the right to designate another training facility. We will provide the training, the instructor(s), a training manual, and other materials for up to two trainees. You must pay us a fee (currently $300 per day) for each additional attendee you send to the initial training program. We reserve the right to implement online training in addition to, or that cover certain, business-related subject matters currently included in classroom training sessions. You are responsible for all travel and lodging expenses related to attending Ann Arbor Business Training. Training for an unlicensed franchisee will focus exclusively on the operation of the business, retail, and back-office functions, and will avoid training that could be considered the practice of medicine.
Our business training program is led by Jennifer Fields who has over 15 years experience in training and over 5 years experience in the health and beauty industry. Jennifer Fields has experience in developing, training and supporting franchisees. Our technical training instructor, Amanda Watts has over 10 years of training and sales experience, including 2 years in the wellness industry, where she leads all aspects of membership sales, hiring, marketing, customer experience, operations and KPI management. All other trainers will have at least two years of experience in the wellness industry.
The second component of the initial training program is Studio Opening training. Currently we provide one individual (Corporate Trainer) to provide you with on-site
training services at your Studio for a period of up to 5 days, to provide opening support, software, technical and sales training. This training is scheduled at our discretion and is subject to our availability. The Initial Training Fee of $8,000 currently includes the cost of travel for corporate personnel, typically the Studio Opener at your first Studio only. Any/all additional training, including training for—if applicable—your second and subsequent Studio, is currently provided at $300/day plus travel. Initial training is conducted on an as needed basis, in conjunction with Franchisees development, opening schedule and needs, but in no event less than twice per year.
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 32–42)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Degree Wellness's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees incur several expenses related to the initial and ongoing training programs. For the initial Business Training, which is mandatory, Degree Wellness provides the training, instructors, a manual, and materials for up to two trainees. However, the franchisee is responsible for all travel and lodging expenses to attend the training in Ann Arbor, Michigan. If the franchisee sends additional attendees beyond the initial two, they must pay Degree Wellness a fee of $300 per day for each extra person.
For the Studio Opening training, Degree Wellness provides a Corporate Trainer for up to 5 days at the franchisee's studio, with the initial $8,000 franchise fee covering the trainer's travel costs for the first studio only. Any additional training, including training for subsequent studios, is provided at a rate of $300 per day plus travel expenses for the trainer.
Degree Wellness may also offer additional training programs, seminars, and courses that could be mandatory for franchisees and their staff. The franchisee is responsible for the wages, travel, lodging, and living expenses for each attendee at these additional training programs. Furthermore, attendance at the annual conference is mandatory, and the franchisee must cover the wages, travel, lodging, and living expenses for all attendees from their franchise. If a third-party professional corporation services the studio's patients, each provider from that corporation must also attend the annual convention, with the franchisee bearing the associated costs.