Is an Itan franchisee still responsible for the conference registration fee if they fail to attend a required conference without a waiver?

According to Itan's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are responsible for the conference registration fee even if they fail to attend a mandatory conference, provided they do not obtain a waiver. Itan may hold periodic conferences to discuss business and operational matters relevant to the salons. Attendance at these conferences is mandatory unless Itan designates attendance as optional or waives the franchisee's obligation for good cause.

The conference registration fee can be up to $400 per person per conference. In addition to the registration fee, franchisees are also responsible for the wages and travel expenses incurred by themselves and their personnel to attend these conferences. This policy underscores the importance Itan places on franchisees attending these conferences, presumably for training, updates, and networking purposes.

For a prospective Itan franchisee, this means budgeting not only for the conference registration fee but also for travel and wage expenses for themselves and their staff. Furthermore, it is crucial to understand the conditions under which Itan might grant a waiver for mandatory attendance to avoid incurring the conference fee without attending. Franchisees should communicate proactively with Itan if they foresee any issues attending a mandatory conference.