What does the Additional Training Fee cover for a Gold Star franchise?
Gold_Star Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
of items purchased.
Item 6 OTHER FEES
| Type of Fee | Amount | Due Date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supplier Payment Assignment5 | 100% of product and/or advertising rebates or allowances from certain system- wide suppliers | Assigned when Franchise Agreement is signed | Payable to GSCAA Non-refundable |
| Inventory and Other Materials6 | See Item 8 of this disclosure document | On delivery or as established by designated supplier | Payable to designated supplier Non-refundable |
| Manual Fee | $100 for any additional copy | On delivery | Payable to Gold Star Non-refundable |
| Additional Training Fee7 | Reasonable training fee at our current rates. Also, you must reimburse us for our reasonable out of pocket costs (travel, accommodations, etc.) | Before opening or after you open your franchised Restaurant for business. |
Source: Item 6 — OTHER FEES (FDD pages 12–18)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Gold Star's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees may have to pay an additional training fee. The amount of this fee is a reasonable training fee at Gold Star's current rates. Franchisees must also reimburse Gold Star for reasonable out-of-pocket costs, such as travel and accommodations. This fee is payable to Gold Star and is non-refundable.
Notably, Gold Star does not charge a training fee for the franchisee and one other designated attendee for the initial training program. Additionally, if Gold Star offers other mandatory training programs, they do not charge a training fee for one-time enrollment by any franchisee representative required to attend. However, Gold Star reserves the right to charge for other attendees at any initial training program or other mandatory program, and they also reserve the right to charge a training fee for any training program at which attendance is optional.
This means that while the initial training for a couple of people is covered, franchisees should budget for potential additional training costs, especially if they want to send more staff or take advantage of optional training programs. The additional training fee could vary depending on the type of training, the number of attendees, and the associated travel and accommodation costs. Franchisees should inquire about the current rates for additional training and the typical costs associated with travel and accommodation to accurately forecast these potential expenses.