Who is responsible for the travel, living, and compensation expenses incurred in connection with HydroDog training?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You and your trainees must successfully complete the HydroDog Academy, as determined in our sole discretion, prior to opening your Business (as described in Section 7.3 of the Franchise Agreement). This includes successfully passing all required assessments designed to evaluate comprehension of training topics. Upon successful completion of the training program and passing of all assessments, you and your trainees will receive a certificate of completion, which may be required for operational approval of your Business. You also must participate in all other activities required to operate your HydroDog Business. You are responsible for all travel, living and compensation expenses which you and your trainees incur in connection with training.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 22–30)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are responsible for covering all travel, living, and compensation expenses for themselves and their trainees during the initial HydroDog Academy training. This means that in addition to the initial franchise fee and other startup costs, prospective Hydrodog franchisees must also budget for these training-related expenses.
Hydrodog's initial training program, known as HydroDog Academy, is designed to equip franchisees with the operational skills necessary to run a successful franchise. The training combines online modules with on-site instruction, which may take place at the franchisee's location or at a designated corporate training facility. Regardless of the location, the franchisee bears the financial responsibility for all associated costs.
In addition to the initial training, Hydrodog may require franchisees and their staff to attend periodic refresher courses. If Hydrodog requires additional or extended initial training, the franchisee will be responsible for these costs as well. Furthermore, if the franchisee requests additional training or assistance that Hydrodog agrees to provide, the franchisee must pay Hydrodog's then-current fee for additional training, which will not exceed $500 per trainer per day, plus travel and living expenses for each trainer. This highlights the importance of budgeting not only for the initial training but also for potential ongoing training needs.
This arrangement is fairly typical in the franchise industry, where franchisees commonly bear the costs of their own training and related expenses. Prospective Hydrodog franchisees should carefully consider these costs when evaluating the overall investment required to start and operate a franchise.