Who is responsible for the travel and living expenses of personnel attending Fat Shack's training program?
Fat_Shack Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Before the opening of your FAT SHACK Restaurant, you or your General Manager must attend and complete to our satisfaction the initial training program. This training program is typically conducted no later than 30 days before the opening of your Restaurant. We do not charge you for this training for up to three individuals, although you pay the travel, living expenses and wages for you and all employees who attend the training session.
All training is currently conducted in the Fort Collins, Colorado or Denver, Colorado metro areas, however we may elect to conduct training at another location on a case-by-case basis at our discretion. The training includes classroom training and on-the-job training at our affiliate's FAT SHACK Restaurant in Fort Collins, Colorado unless we agree to hands-on training at another FAT SHACK Restaurant location. The initial training program lasts approximately three to four days.
If you are opening your first FAT SHACK Restaurant, we provide up to 30 days of on-site training at your FAT SHACK Restaurant to you and your staff, at a mutually agreed time at or around opening, to assist you in the opening of your FAT SHACK Restaurant. We may waive on-site training if you have previously operated a FAT SHACK Restaurant. If we must travel more than 100 miles and incur room and board expenses for this training, we can charge you an on-site assistance fee of $195 per day.
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, the franchisee is responsible for the travel and living expenses and wages for themselves and all employees who attend the initial training program. Fat Shack does not charge for the initial training for up to three individuals.
Fat Shack may also require the franchisee, their general manager, and other managers to attend meetings, seminars, or conferences, at the franchisee's expense. Fat Shack may charge a tuition fee for these additional training programs, but it will not exceed $1,000 per additional meeting.
For the training of a replacement general manager during the franchise term, the franchisee must pay all travel and living expenses for their personnel during the training program. Fat Shack reserves the right to charge a tuition or fee for this training, payable in advance, according to their then-current published prices. The availability of training programs depends on the availability of training staff, space considerations, and prior commitments to new Fat Shack franchisees.