Is Pump It Up franchise training always conducted in person?
Pump_It_Up Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchised Business within 6 months of executing your Lease and within 18 months of signing the Franchise Agreement.
TRAINING
Initial Training Program
Before you open the Franchised Business, you (or your Operating Principal) must attend and complete our initial training program. The initial training program involves classroom instruction as well as hands-on instruction at a Pump It Up facility of our choosing and/or at any other location as we may specify in writing. We may, in our sole discretion, provide the initial training program entirely or in part via video conference or other online or virtual means at dates and times designated by us. If you obtain an operating Pump It Up Business by transfer from another Pump It Up franchisee, you must complete this initial training program within 60 days of operating that Pump It Up Business, unless otherwise specified by us. If you are opening a new location, the initial training program must be completed in advance of the opening of your Franchised Business. You must pay all travel, living and other expenses incurred by you and your employees while attending or otherwise participating in the training. The Initial Training Program is offered periodically on an as-needed basis, as we determine such a need.
If any individual who is required to complete the initial training program fails to successfully complete the initial training program per our standards, then that individual may repeat the program, or you may send a substitute to complete the next available program.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISORS'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 30–41)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Pump It Up's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, training is not always conducted in person. The FDD specifies that Pump It Up may provide initial training, opening assistance, and additional training via video conference or other online or virtual means, at their sole discretion. This applies to both the initial training program that franchisees (or their Operating Principal) and managerial personnel must complete, and to ongoing training after the franchise location has opened.
Pump It Up has the discretion to require franchisees to complete training via video conference, online platforms, or self-service methods. The initial training program is mandatory, and Pump It Up will not authorize a franchise to open if the franchisee (or Operating Principal) and managerial personnel have not successfully completed it. This training must occur after signing a lease for the premises but before opening the Pump It Up business.
For franchisees, this means there is a possibility that some or all of the training may be conducted remotely. While Pump It Up may offer hands-on instruction at a Pump It Up facility, they also reserve the right to conduct training virtually. Franchisees are responsible for all travel and living expenses incurred during training, so virtual training could potentially reduce these costs. However, franchisees should be prepared for either in-person or virtual training and budget accordingly.
Pump It Up also requires franchisees to implement a training program for their employees, consistent with the training provided by Pump It Up. The franchisee is responsible for hiring and properly training their employees, and cannot employ anyone who fails to complete the training program or is unqualified to perform the duties at the business. This ensures that all employees meet the standards required for operating a Pump It Up business.