Is attendance at the initial franchisee training sessions required for an Epcon Communities franchisee or its owners?
Epcon_Communities Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
uity. If all or any portion of any covenant is held unreasonable or unenforceable by a court or agency having valid jurisdiction, Franchisee expressly agrees to be bound by any lesser covenant included within the terms of such greater covenant that imposes the maximum duty permitted by law, as if the lesser included covenant were separately stated in and made a part of this Agreement.
- 5.12 On a schedule, at a location and in a medium to be determined within its sole discretion, Franchisor will hold a series of initial franchisee training sessions for the benefit of Franchisee at a location and/or medium selected by Franchisor in its sole discretion. Franchisee or at least one owner of the franchise business is required to attend and/or participate each of the portions of the first such training session held by Franchisor after execution of this Agreement. Including the required attendee described above, up to three (3) additional non-owner individuals may attend the initial training. Franchisor has the right to require that Franchisee's construction supervisor attend the construction training sessions provided by Franchisor as part of the initial training sessions. Initial training shall be provided free of charge; provided that the Franchisee shall be responsible for all travel, lodging, meal and other incidental costs and expenses.
Franchisor may provide training in addition to initial training and shall have the right to require Franchisee and certain of Franchisee's employees attend such training. Franchisee shall be responsible for the travel, lodging, meal and other incidental costs and expenses of any attendee of such training. Franchisor shall have the right to charge a fee for such training.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 86–280)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 FDD, Epcon Communities requires either the franchisee or at least one owner of the franchise business to attend each portion of the initial training session held after the Franchise Agreement is executed. Up to three additional non-owner individuals may also attend the initial training. Epcon Communities also has the right to require the franchisee's construction supervisor to attend the construction training sessions included as part of the initial training.
Initial training is provided without charge, but the franchisee is responsible for all travel, lodging, meals, and other incidental costs and expenses for themselves and any staff they send. Epcon Communities may also provide additional training beyond the initial sessions and can require the franchisee and certain employees to attend, with the franchisee covering all associated costs. Epcon Communities also reserves the right to charge a fee for this additional training.
Furthermore, if Epcon Communities holds an annual meeting or conference for franchisees, the franchisee, or a management representative approved by Epcon Communities, must attend all sessions unless excused in writing by Epcon Communities. Attendance at these meetings is at the franchisee's sole cost and expense. This mandatory attendance policy ensures that franchisees and their staff are properly trained and kept up-to-date with Epcon Communities' standards, procedures, and any new developments within the franchise system.