When is the Additional Training Fee due for a Gold Star franchise?
Gold_Star Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Type of Fee | Amount | Due Date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | Payable to Gold Star Non-refundable |
Source: Item 6 — OTHER FEES (FDD pages 12–18)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Gold Star's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Additional Training Fee is due either before opening or after opening the franchised Restaurant for business. The amount of this fee is a reasonable training fee at Gold Star's current rates, plus reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket costs such as travel and accommodations. This fee is payable directly to Gold Star and is non-refundable.
This means that as a prospective Gold Star franchisee, you should be prepared to pay for additional training, if required or optional, either before you launch your restaurant or sometime after you've already started operations. The FDD does not specify how far in advance of the training the fee must be paid if it is before opening, nor does it specify the payment terms if it is after opening.
It is important to note that Gold Star does not charge a training fee for you and one other attendee for the initial training program. However, they reserve the right to charge for other attendees at any initial training program or other mandatory program, as well as for any training program where attendance is optional. Therefore, it is important to clarify with Gold Star what their current rates are for additional training and what costs are included, as well as the specific payment schedule, to budget accordingly.