Who is required to attend and successfully complete the initial training program for a Fat Shack franchise?
Fat_Shack Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisee (or, if Franchisee is a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company, its managing shareholder, partner or member ("Managing Owner")) and the person designated by Franchisee to assume primary responsibility for the management of the FAT SHACK Restaurant ("General Manager") must attend and successfully complete the initial training program which is offered by FSI at one of FSI's designated training facilities. The Managing Owner and General Manager shall be set forth in the Addendum. Up to three individuals (including the Managing Owner and General Manager) are eligible to participate in FSI's initial training program without charge of a tuition or fee. Franchisee shall be responsible for any and all traveling and living expenses incurred in connection with attendance at the training program, as well as wages or salaries, if any, of the person(s) receiving training. Franchisee must purchase worker's compensation insurance for each employee of Franchisee who attends training and Franchisee must deliver proof of such insurance coverage to FSI before FSI will train such Franchisee or its Managing Owner, and Franchisee's General Manager, both must successfully complete the initial training program prior to Franchisee's commencement of operation of its FAT SHACK Restaurant. FSI reserves the right to waive all or a portion of the training program or alter the training schedule. In addition to successfully completing the initial training program conducted by FSI, FSI reserves the right to require Franchisee, or Franchisee's General Manager, and each new General Manager throughout the term of this Agreement, to attend and pass a designated food safety and sanitation course, which may be offered by FSI or by a third party unrelated to FSI before Franchisee shall be allowed to commence operating the FAT SHACK Restaurant. Franchisee shall be responsible for tuition and for all traveling and living expenses of its personnel incurred in connection with attendance at the food safety course.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 53–223)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Fat Shack's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee (or its Managing Owner if the franchisee is a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company) and the General Manager are required to attend and successfully complete the initial training program. The Managing Owner and General Manager must be listed in the Addendum. Fat Shack offers this initial training program at its designated training facilities.
Up to three individuals, including the Managing Owner and General Manager, can participate in the initial training program without incurring tuition or fees. However, the franchisee is responsible for covering all traveling and living expenses associated with attending the training program, as well as any wages or salaries for the individuals being trained.
Furthermore, the franchisee must secure worker's compensation insurance for each employee attending the training and provide proof of this insurance to Fat Shack before training commences. Both the Managing Owner and the General Manager must successfully complete the initial training program before the franchisee can begin operating their Fat Shack restaurant. Fat Shack retains the right to modify the training program or waive portions of it.
In addition to the initial training, Fat Shack can require the franchisee, the General Manager, or any new General Manager to attend and pass a designated food safety and sanitation course, which may be offered by Fat Shack or a third party, before the restaurant can open. The franchisee is responsible for the tuition and all travel and living expenses related to this food safety course.