Is the additional training fee for Hck Hot Chicken non-refundable?

According to Hck Hot Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees owning three or more restaurants may need to pay an additional training fee. Specifically, if a franchisee (and/or its affiliates) owns three or more Hck Hot Chicken restaurants, they must employ a training manager. If they do not employ a training manager upon opening their fourth (or higher) restaurant, they must pay Hck Hot Chicken a non-refundable additional training fee of $5,000 before the start of initial training for the new restaurant. They must also pay the then-current fees for the franchisee's restaurant manager(s) and assistant restaurant manager(s) to attend the Initial Training Program.

This non-refundable fee has significant implications for franchisees planning to expand. It means that once the $5,000 is paid, it cannot be recovered, regardless of whether the training is completed or the restaurant opens. This policy incentivizes franchisees to proactively employ a training manager once they reach the three-restaurant threshold, as this avoids the fee altogether.

The requirement to pay for the restaurant manager(s) and assistant restaurant manager(s) to attend the Initial Training Program, in addition to the $5,000 fee, further increases the cost of opening additional locations if a training manager is not already in place. This fee structure encourages franchisees to plan their expansion carefully and invest in a training manager to reduce costs as they grow their Hck Hot Chicken business.