Are HydroDog franchisees responsible for their own travel and living expenses during training?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
well as on-site within your Territory. You must complete the initial training to our satisfaction and pay all expenses of your personnel to attend such training, including tuition, travel, lodging, meals and salaries.
- 7.2 Initial Training Fee. We will provide our HydroDog Academy training as stated herein. At the time you sign this Agreement, you must pay us a five thousand dollar ($5,000) nonrefundable initial training fee (the "Initial Training Fee") per trainee in consideration of the pre-opening initial training program that we will conduct for you. You are responsible for all expenses and costs that you incur for training or attending conferences, including wages, travel and living expenses. If you transfer your franchise, we may charge the new franchisee the then-current Initial Training Fee for each of the transferee's owners and employees that attends our initial training program. All training fees and expense reimbursements are due ten (10) days after invoicing.
- 7.3 Additional Training. We reserve the right to require you and/or your previously trained owners to attend periodic refresher training courses at such times and locations as we may designate. If we require you, and/or your previously trained owners to re-take or attend additional or extended initial training at your expense ("Additional Training").
- 7.4 Completion of HydroDog Academy. Successful completion of HydroDog Academy, any other initial training and any additional or extended initial training we require before opening is a condition to the opening of your HydroDog Business to the public.
- 7.5 General Guidance**.** We will advise you from time-to-time regarding the operation of your HydroDog Business based on reports you submit to us or inspections we make. In addition, we will furnish guidance to you with respect to:
- (a) standards, specifications and operating procedures and methods utilized by the HydroDog Businesses;
- (b) purchasing required equipment, signs, products, materials and supplies;
- (c) Product and Service inventory practices and purchasing practices;
- (d) use of suppliers and approved products and supplies
- (e) sales, pricing policies and the like;
- (f) owner and management training; and
- (g) administrative, bookkeeping and accounting procedures.
- (a) standards, specifications and operating procedures and methods utilized by the HydroDog Businesses;
Such guidance will be furnished at our sole discretion, in our Manuals, bulletins or other written materials, during telephone consultations, or during consultations at our office or your HydroDog Business. At your request, we will furnish additional guidance and assistance. If your requests for additional or special training and guidance are, in our opinion, excessive we may charge you our actual expenses that we incur in connection with such training or guidance, including per diem charges and travel and living expenses for our personnel.
8. MARKS.
8.1 Ownership and Goodwill of Marks. You acknowledge that the Marks are owned by us or licensed to us, and that any references to our right, title or interest in the Marks in this Article 8 shall include the owner's right, title or interest. You agree that your right to use the Marks is derived solely from this Agreement and is limited to your operating your HydroDog Business in strict accordance with this Agreement
and all System Standards we prescribe during its term. Your unauthorized use of the Marks is a breach of this Agreement and infringes our rights in the Marks.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 43–166)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to HydroDog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are responsible for covering their own expenses, including travel and living costs, when attending training programs. Specifically, the franchisee must pay a $5,000 nonrefundable initial training fee per trainee. In addition to this fee, the franchisee is also responsible for all expenses and costs incurred for training or attending conferences, including wages, travel, and living expenses. This applies to the initial HydroDog Academy training as well as any additional or refresher training courses that HydroDog may require.
This means that a prospective HydroDog franchisee needs to factor in these additional costs when budgeting for the initial investment. These expenses can include transportation, accommodation, meals, and wages for themselves and any personnel attending the training. The FDD also states that if a replacement Designated Owner or General Manager needs training, the franchisee must cover the training fee and all associated costs, including travel, lodging, meals, and wages.
Furthermore, if the franchisee or their staff fail to meet HydroDog's performance or compliance standards, additional training may be required, and the franchisee will be responsible for the additional training fees plus all travel and living expenses for each trainer, regardless of the training location. Similarly, if the franchisee is not already a dog groomer, the costs associated with completing the designated online grooming training program, including registration fees, materials, equipment, travel, and living expenses, are the franchisee's sole responsibility. These costs are non-refundable, regardless of completion or success in the program.
In the event of the franchisee's death or disability, if a manager needs to be appointed and trained, the franchisee's estate will bear the expense of this training. If HydroDog appoints a manager in such circumstances, the manager's compensation, costs, and travel and living expenses will be charged to the HydroDog Business's account. Therefore, franchisees should be aware of these potential training-related expenses and plan accordingly.