Can Fat Shack require franchisees to attend periodic conferences?
Fat_Shack Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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- Hold periodic conferences to discuss restaurant operations, bookkeeping, new product developments, new service suggestions, accounting, inventory control, performance standards, advertising programs, merchandising procedures and other topics deemed relevant by us. We may require you to attend these conferences. (Section 7.2 of Franchise Agreement.)
As often as annually, you or your General Manager and other managers we designate may be required to attend, at your expense, a national convention which may include mandatory training sessions. We may also require you, your General Manager and other managers of yours to attend, at your expense, local or regional seminars or meetings up to two times per year.
During the term of your Franchise Agreement, we may require you (or your General Manager) and your other managers to attend, at your expense, meetings, seminars, or conferences ("Additional Meetings"), which we present to discuss topics such as advertising programs, new operations methods, training, management, sales, or sales promotion. We may charge a tuition for attending additional training programs, which will not exceed $1,000 per Additional Meeting. Attendance is optional unless we give you 30 days' prior written notice that it is mandatory. We will not require you to attend training programs or seminars more than twice a year.
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 28–36)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Fat Shack's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Fat Shack can require franchisees to attend periodic conferences. The document states that Fat Shack holds periodic conferences to discuss various topics, including restaurant operations, bookkeeping, new product developments, accounting, inventory control, performance standards, advertising programs, merchandising procedures, and other relevant topics.
Fat Shack retains the right to mandate attendance at these conferences. This means that franchisees may be required to attend these events, which could involve travel and associated expenses.
In addition to periodic conferences, Fat Shack may also require franchisees, their General Managers, and other managers to attend a national convention annually, which may include mandatory training sessions. Furthermore, attendance at local or regional seminars or meetings, up to two times per year, may also be required. These additional training programs could cost franchisees up to $1,000 per Additional Meeting, with attendance being optional unless Fat Shack provides 30 days' prior written notice that attendance is mandatory.