What is the deadline for completing the Gold Star initial training program before the Restaurant opening?
Gold_Star Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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.
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, all mandatory trainees must complete the initial training program to Gold Star's satisfaction at least 3 weeks before the restaurant opening. Alternatively, the training must be completed prior to the expiration of 6 months after the date on which the franchisee and Gold Star enter into the Franchise Agreement, whichever is earlier.
If the franchisee is an individual, or a corporation/LLC where an owner attends and successfully completes the training, that individual or owner is the only person 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 people designated as managers must attend and successfully complete the training program.
The franchisee is responsible for all travel, lodging, meals, and other related expenses incurred by the franchisee or their managers, employees, owners, or other representatives attending the initial training program. No compensation or reimbursement is provided for any services performed by any attendee during the training program.