Is attendance and completion of the Gold Star initial training program mandatory?
Gold_Star Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
tents of the Manual**.
The table of contents of our Manual is attached hereto as Exhibit C.
Initial Training Programs.
Gold Star provides initial training programs for new Restaurant Franchisees and their initial key manager(s).
Gold Star schedules initial training programs periodically, depending upon the number of prospective Franchisee attendees and scheduled Restaurant openings. All mandatory trainees must attend and complete the program to Gold Star's satisfaction at least 3 weeks before the opening of your Restaurant or, if earlier, prior to the expiration of 6 months after the date on which you and Gold Star enter into the Franchise Agreement.
If Franchisee is an individual, or if Franchisee is a corporation or limited liability company, and such individual Franchisee or an owner of all or a portion of Franchise attends and successfully completes to Franchisor's satisfaction, the initial training program, then such individual Franchisee or owner shall be the only person who is required to complete the initial training; provided that, under such circumstances, Gold Star will nevertheless provide the initial training at its expense to one additional person if Franchisee so chooses. If such individual Franchisee or owner do not complete the initial training, then two (2) persons who have been designated by you as a Manager must attend and successfully complete to the Franchisor's satisfaction the initial training program. Space permitting, Gold Star will allow additional persons (who will be involved in Restaurant operations) to attend, but you must pay Gold Star the standard fee then charged other Franchisees by Gold Star for additional enrollees if more than two persons will be trained.
You are responsible for all travel, lodging, meals and other related or incidental expenses incurred by you or any of your Managers, employees, owners or other representatives attending, or otherwise regarding, the initial training program. You are not entitled to any compensation or reimbursement for any services performed by any attendee during the training program.
As of December 31, 2024, Gold Star's training is conducted by Gold Star staff, including our Vice President of Development and Operations. Our current Vice President of Development and Operations has held that role since January of 2023 and came to his position with 25 years of experience providing strategic business consultant services for another well-established franchisor.
The initial training program as of December 31, 2024 is described in the following chart.
TRAINING PROGRAM1
| Obligation | Section in Agreement | Disclosure Document Item |
|---|---|---|
| m. Maintenance, appearance and | Section 5 of Franchise Agreement | Item 8 |
| remodeling requirements | ||
| n. Insurance | Section 18 of Franchise Agreement | Item 8 |
| o. Advertising | Section 6 and 9 of Franchise Agreement; Supplier Payment Assignments | Items 6 and 11 |
| p. Indemnification | Section 19 of Franchise Agreement | Item 6 |
| q. |
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 26–36)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Gold Star's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, attendance and completion of the initial training program is mandatory for new restaurant franchisees and their initial key managers. This training must be completed to Gold Star's satisfaction at least three weeks before the restaurant opens, or within six months of signing the Franchise Agreement, whichever comes first.
The FDD specifies that if the franchisee is an individual, or a corporation/LLC where an owner attends and successfully completes the training, then only that individual or owner is required to complete the initial training. However, Gold Star will still provide the initial training at its expense to one additional person if the franchisee chooses. If the individual franchisee or owner does not complete the initial training, then two managers designated by the franchisee must attend and successfully complete the program.
The franchisee is responsible for all travel, lodging, meals, and other related expenses for themselves and their managers, employees, or owners attending the initial training program. No compensation or reimbursement is provided for any services performed during the training. Gold Star also requires the initial crew to participate in a 5 to 7 day training program conducted at the restaurant before opening to the public, which must be completed to Gold Star's satisfaction.