What is the definition of a 'Trainee' according to the Gold Star FDD?
Gold_Star Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
FRANCHISEE shall attend and successfully complete the COMPANY's initial training program, such that at all times FRANCHISEE shall comply with the Trainee requirements set forth in this Section 2.1. Any such initial training for replacements Trainees shall be at FRANCHISEE's expense pursuant to Section 2.2 below.
- 2.2 Initial Training. If FRANCHISEE is only required to have one Trainee pursuant to Section 2.1 above, the COMPANY shall provide the initial training program for one additional person who has been designated as a Manager at such locations as the COMPANY selects. No fee shall be charged by the COMPANY for the initial training of such Trainees. Initial training will be provided to any additional persons only if FRANCHISEE pays the COMPANY, for each additional enrollee, the standard fee then charged by the COMPANY to other Restaurant franchisees for such additional enrollment.
- 2.3 On-Site Training. The COMPANY also shall provide an initial training program at the Retail Location for the initial crew of the Restaurant for such period as the COMPANY deems appropriate in its sole discretion. The initial crew must attend and successfully complete such program to the COMPANY's satisfaction prior to the opening of the Store. No fee shall be charged by the COMPANY for 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, a franchisee must attend and successfully complete Gold Star's initial training program and comply with the Trainee requirements outlined in Section 2.1 of the agreement. If a franchisee needs to replace a Trainee, any initial training for the replacement will be at the franchisee's expense, as detailed in Section 2.2.
Gold Star provides initial training for one additional person designated as a Manager at a location selected by Gold Star if the franchisee is only required to have one Trainee. Gold Star does not charge a fee for the initial training of these Trainees. However, if the franchisee wants initial training for any additional people, they must pay Gold Star the standard fee charged to other Restaurant franchisees for each additional enrollee.
Gold Star also provides an initial training program at the Retail Location for the initial crew of the Restaurant for a period that Gold Star deems appropriate. The initial crew must attend and successfully complete the program to Gold Star's satisfaction before the Store opens, and there is no fee for this program. The franchisee is responsible for ensuring that Store operations comply with the System and the Franchise Agreement. This includes training employees, including new hires, in the standards, methods, techniques, and operations relevant to their duties, with the training's form and substance satisfactory to Gold Star.