What is the required level of employee training for a Gold Star franchise?
Gold_Star Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 2.1 Initial Training. If FRANCHISEE is required to have a Trainee pursuant to Section 1.2 above, FRANCHISEE or one of FRANCHISEE's Principals (or if FRANCHISEE is a partnership or limited liability company, one of its partners or members) must 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.
- 2.4 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.
The identity of the Manager cannot be changed without prior written notice to the COMPANY of the identity of the replacement Manager, and FRANCHISEE shall be required to promptly comply with the applicable provisions of Section 2 hereof with respect to any training required of such replacement Manager.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 53–163)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Gold Star's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees and their employees must complete initial and ongoing training programs to ensure compliance with Gold Star's standards. The franchisee must ensure their employees are trained in the standards, methods, and techniques relevant to their duties, with the training's form and substance satisfactory to Gold Star.
Gold Star provides an initial training program for one additional person designated as a Manager, with no fee charged for this initial training. Franchisees are responsible for the expenses incurred during any training program, including travel, lodging, and meals for themselves and their employees. Gold Star also provides an initial training program at the retail location for the initial crew of the restaurant, which must be successfully completed before the store opens, also without a fee.
Gold Star may also require attendance at refresher or additional training programs as deemed appropriate. No fee is charged for mandatory training programs for the franchisee or their designated representative. However, the franchisee must pay a standard fee for optional attendees at mandatory programs or any attendee at optional training programs. The franchisee is responsible for ensuring that all employees, including future new employees, are trained according to Gold Star's standards and methods.
If a franchisee designates a replacement Manager, the franchisee must provide Gold Star with prior written notice and ensure the replacement Manager completes any required training. This ensures that all managers are adequately trained in Gold Star's operating procedures and standards. Compliance with these training requirements is essential for maintaining the quality and consistency of the Gold Star brand and protecting its goodwill.