Does Gold Star charge a fee for mandatory refresher or additional training programs?
Gold_Star Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 2.4 Additional Training. The COMPANY may at its option make available, or require attendance at, refresher or other additional training programs as it deems appropriate. No fee shall be charged by the COMPANY for any such training program at which attendance of FRANCHISEE or any other representative of FRANCHISEE designated by the COMPANY is mandatory. FRANCHISEE must pay the COMPANY for attendance of any optional attendee at any mandatory program and for attendance of any attendee at any optional training program made available by the COMPANY the standard fee then charged by the COMPANY to other Restaurant franchisees for such programs.
- 2.5 Expenses. It is understood that FRANCHISEE shall receive no compensation or reimbursement for any services performed or expenses incurred by FRANCHISEE or any employee or other representative of FRANCHISEE during any training program and FRANCHISEE shall be responsible for all travel, lodging, meals and other related or incidental expenses incurred by FRANCHISEE, and FRANCHISEE's employees and representatives, in connection with any such program.
- 2.6 Compliance. FRANCHISEE shall be responsible for the compliance of Store operations with the System and this Agreement and for training or causing FRANCHISEE's employees and any future new employees to be trained in such standards, methods, techniques, operations or other matters as are relevant to the performance of their respective duties in accordance with the System or as required by the COMPANY, the form and substance of such training to be satisfactory to the COMPANY.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 53–163)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Gold Star Franchise Disclosure Document, Gold Star may offer or require attendance at refresher or additional training programs. If attendance is mandatory for the franchisee or a designated representative, no fee will be charged. However, Gold Star will charge a standard fee for any optional attendee at a mandatory program, or for any attendee at an optional training program.
Franchisees are responsible for all travel, lodging, meals, and other related expenses incurred during any training program for themselves, their employees, and representatives. Gold Star does not provide compensation or reimbursement for services performed or expenses incurred during training.
Gold Star also requires franchisees to ensure their employees are trained in accordance with the System standards. The franchisee is responsible for the compliance of store operations with the System and this Agreement and for training or causing franchisee's employees and any future new employees to be trained in such standards, methods, techniques, operations or other matters as are relevant to the performance of their respective duties in accordance with the System or as required by the COMPANY, the form and substance of such training to be satisfactory to the COMPANY.
This policy is fairly standard in the franchise industry, where franchisors often provide initial training without charge but may charge for additional or specialized training, particularly if attendance is optional or for additional staff members.