Who bears the cost of mandatory employee training required by Nothing Bundt Cakes?
Nothing_Bundt_Cakes Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
and certificates relating to the operation of the Bakery and shall operate the Bakery in full compliance with all applicable laws, ordinances and regulations, workers' compensation and unemployment insurance requirements, and withholding and payment of federal and state income, social security, sales, use, and property taxes.
ARTICLE 7 TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
7.1 Initial Training.
If this is your first Nothing Bundt Cakes Bakery, then two (2) people, which must include you (in the event you are an individual) or your Operator (in the event you are an entity), must attend and complete, to our satisfaction, our initial tuition-free training program. You may decide to send one (1) additional person to initial training, for which you will pay us our then-current fee. We may require you to send additional people to initial training for your subsequent Bakeries, and/or if you enter into a new market, as set forth in the Operations Manual and subject to our then-current fees. The required training lasts up to four (4) weeks and consists of training in Product preparation and packaging, maintaining financial controls and general bookkeeping procedures, operational techniques, using our required equipment and computer hardware and software, inventory controls, marketing and advertising techniques, and Guest service and maintenance of quality standards. All training will take place at one of our company bakeries located in or around the City of Dallas, Texas or at any other location we designate. You, your Operator or any other trainees must attend the initial training program at the same time. In addition, we will provide one (1) of our representatives for up to five (5) days at your Bakery for additional training and opening assistance. You are responsible for all training related expenses, including you and your employees' travel, meals, lodging, and payroll expenses associated with attending the initial training program. You must complete training before opening your Bakery.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 93–309)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Nothing Bundt Cakes' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for covering the expenses associated with both initial and ongoing training programs. For the initial training program, which lasts up to four weeks and takes place in or around Dallas, Texas, the franchisee must cover travel, meals, lodging, and payroll expenses for themselves and their employees.
Specifically, two people, including the franchisee or the operator, must attend the initial training program tuition-free. The franchisee may send one additional person to the initial training, for which they will pay Nothing Bundt Cakes' then-current fee. Nothing Bundt Cakes may also require the franchisee to send additional people to initial training for subsequent bakeries or if they enter a new market, subject to the franchisor's then-current fees.
For ongoing training programs and refresher courses that Nothing Bundt Cakes may require for the franchisee and/or their employees, the franchisee is again responsible for all travel, meals, lodging, and payroll expenses. Additionally, the franchisee will need to pay the then-current tuition for these additional training programs and refresher courses. This means that franchisees must budget not only for the direct costs of training but also for the indirect costs of employee time and travel.