If a Pump It Up franchisee requests additional training, who is responsible for the costs?
Pump_It_Up Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ual means at our sole discretion. You will not be required to pay any additional travel or living expenses incurred by our representative during the Opening Training. However, if you reschedule the opening of the Franchised Business, you must reimburse us for any travel costs we incur in changing the travel schedules of our personnel. If you request, and we agree to provide, additional or special guidance, assistance, or training during this opening phase, you must pay our then applicable charges, including fees for our personnel and their travel and living expenses.
- (5) The Safety Program includes information and training regarding insurance waivers, compliance with manufacturer guidelines for inflatable ridership, incident reports, and other elements of the Risk Mitigation Strategy as outlined in the Manuals.
You may be required to complete training with our team via video conference or other online or virtual means at our sole discretion, or conduct training through self-service means as we may designate.
Ongoing Training
You must implement a training program for all employees of the Franchised Business.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISORS'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 30–41)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Pump It Up Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are generally responsible for the costs associated with additional or ongoing training. Specifically, if a franchisee requests additional or special guidance, assistance, or training during the opening phase of their business, they must pay Pump It Up's then-applicable charges. These charges include fees for Pump It Up personnel as well as their travel and living expenses.
Pump It Up also requires franchisees to implement a training program for all of their employees and are responsible for the costs associated with hiring and properly training their staff. Franchisees must also pay all travel and living expenses they and their employees incur while attending any required or optional training courses and programs offered by Pump It Up. This includes periodic conventions, regional meetings, and conferences, such as the Annual Franchise Meeting.
If an individual fails to successfully complete the initial training program, Pump It Up may charge a tuition fee for substitute or additional employees (including those repeating training) who attend the initial training program. This means that if a franchisee's employee doesn't pass the initial training, the franchisee will likely have to pay extra for either the same employee to repeat the training or for a new employee to attend. This could add unexpected costs for franchisees who have staff members who struggle with the initial training program.
In summary, while Pump It Up provides initial and ongoing training resources, the franchisee bears the financial responsibility for most training-related expenses, including personnel fees, travel, lodging, and potential retake fees. This is a common practice in franchising, as it ensures that franchisees are invested in the quality and consistency of their staff's training.