Who is responsible for the travel and living expenses associated with Pump It Up training courses?
Pump_It_Up Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ontents of the Manuals, the master copy of the Manuals we maintain at our principal office will be controlling. This master copy of the Manuals may be maintained in electronic form. You may not at any time copy, duplicate, record or otherwise reproduce any part of the Manuals without our express written authorization.
11. TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE
A. Initial Training Program.
(1) If you (or your Operating Principal) do not currently own a Pump It Up franchise, then 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 and instruction at a Pump It Up facility and/or at any other location as we may specify in writing. The initial training program may also include online or other virtual training 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 beginning your operation of that business unless otherwise specified by us in writing. 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 any other expenses incurred by you (or your Operating Principal) and your employees while attending the training. At any time, we, in our sole discretion, may change, modify, amend or designate the content and process of initial training. Successful completion of the initial training program by you (or your Operating Principal) is a mandatory condition to allow you to open the Franchised Business to the public. If we determine that you (or your Operating Principal) failed to satisfactorily complete initial training, we have the right to terminate this Agreement.
(2) We do not charge a fee for providing the initial training program to either you, your Operating Principal, your Multi-Unit Manager (as defined in Section 14.E.), or one management-level employee who will be responsible for training your staff. If any individual who is required to receive our initial training fails to successfully complete the initial training program, then that individual may repeat the program, or you may send a different person to complete the next available program. We reserve the right to charge you a fee for providing any subsequent training program to any of these individuals or for training any of your other personnel, whether noted above or not. All persons attending initial training may be required to sign our standard Liability Waiver and Release.
B. Training by You. You must implement a training program (which includes continuing training programs) for employees of the Franchised Business, and you are responsible for the proper training of your employees consistent with the training we have provided you and that is outlined in the Manuals. You may not employ any person who fails or refuses to complete your training program or who is unqualified to perform their duties at the Business in accordance with the requirements established for the operation of a Pump It Up Business.
C. Opening Training.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 60–225)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Pump It Up's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the responsibility for travel and living expenses related to training courses varies depending on the type of training. For the initial training program, the franchisee (or their Operating Principal) is responsible for all travel, living, and other expenses incurred while attending the training. However, the franchisor covers the costs for the Opening Training, unless the franchisee reschedules or is unable to open during the training, in which case the franchisee must reimburse Pump It Up for any travel costs incurred due to the changes. If the franchisee requests additional or special guidance during the opening phase, they must pay Pump It Up's charges, including fees for personnel and their travel and living expenses.
For ongoing training courses that Pump It Up may periodically require, all costs associated with these courses, including travel and living expenses for trainees, are the franchisee's responsibility. Pump It Up may also charge a reasonable registration or other fees for such additional or periodic training and any training materials, even if the franchisee fails to attend. If Pump It Up requests a franchisee's assistance in training other Pump It Up franchisees, Pump It Up will reimburse the franchisee for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
In summary, franchisees should anticipate covering travel and living expenses for themselves and their employees for initial and ongoing training programs. The franchisor covers these expenses only for the initial opening training, with exceptions for rescheduling or requests for additional assistance. This allocation of costs is a standard practice in many franchise systems, where franchisees typically bear the expenses associated with training to ensure their staff is adequately prepared to operate the business according to the franchisor's standards.