When must the Franchisee or Operating Principal and Designated Manager complete the Initial Training Program for a Southern Steer franchise relative to the Required Opening Date?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ll open the Southern Steer Business or the relocated Southern Steer Business for business within 18 months after the date of such casualty. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Franchisee will pay the Franchisor a minimum fee of $500 per Week during all Weeks that the Franchisee's Southern Steer Business is closed as a result of a casualty or any other reason.
6. TRAINING.
- 6.1. Initial Training Program. To educate, familiarize and acquaint the Franchisee (or the Operating Principal) and the Designated Manager with the System and the operations of a Southern Steer Business, the Franchisor will provide the then-current initial training program ("Initial Training Program"). The curriculum for the Initial Training Program will be determined by Franchisor and may include home-study materials.
- (a) Timing. The Initial Training Program will take place prior to Franchisee's Required Opening Date and will be conducted for up to two weeks, as determined by Franchisor. Franchisee or its Operating Principal and the Designated Manager must satisfactorily complete the Initial Training Program no later than 30 days prior to Franchisee's scheduled Required Opening Date.
- (b) Location. The Initial Training Program will take place at Franchisor's headquarters or such other location designated by Franchisor.
- (c) Number of Attendees at the Initial Training Program. In addition to Franchisee or the Operating Principal and the Designated Manager, Franchisee may, upon Franchisor's approval and space availability, elect to have additional people attend the Initial Training Program. If Franchisee elects to have additional people attend the Initial Training Program, Franchisor may charge Franchisee the then current Additional Training Fee as set out in Section 3.2(c). Franchisee will also pay all travel, living expenses and wages, if any, that Franchisee's additional attendees incur to attend the Initial Training Program.
- 6.2. Completing the Initial Training Program. The Franchisee or the Operating Principal and the Designated Manager must successfully complete the Initial Training Program and be certified in writing by the Franchisor prior to the actual opening of the Franchisee's Southern Steer Business.
- 6.3. Changes in Personnel After Required Opening Date.
Source: Item 22 — ITEM. 22 CONTRACTS (FDD pages 61–168)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Southern Steer's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Franchisee or the Operating Principal and the Designated Manager must successfully complete the Initial Training Program and be certified in writing by Southern Steer prior to the actual opening of the Franchisee's Southern Steer Business. Furthermore, the Franchisee or its Operating Principal and the Designated Manager must satisfactorily complete the Initial Training Program no later than 30 days prior to Franchisee's scheduled Required Opening Date. The Initial Training Program will take place prior to Franchisee's Required Opening Date. The training program will be conducted for up to two weeks, as determined by Southern Steer.
For a prospective Southern Steer franchisee, this means that they, along with their Operating Principal and Designated Manager, must complete the initial training program at least 30 days before the scheduled opening date of their Southern Steer Business. This training is a prerequisite for opening the franchise. The training program is up to two weeks long, so franchisees should plan accordingly.
If new Operating Principals and Designated Managers are appointed or hired after the Required Opening Date of the Southern Steer Business, they must attend the Initial Training Program within 45 days (or such time as is designated by Southern Steer) after the date of appointment or hiring. The franchisee will pay Southern Steer the then current training fee for any replacement Operating Principals and Designated Managers that attend the Initial Training Program.
Southern Steer may also require the Franchisee, the Franchisee's Management Staff and other employees of the Franchisee to attend, at the Franchisee's expense, additional training if the Franchisee's Southern Steer Business fails to meet certain performance standards established by Southern Steer or Southern Steer otherwise determines, in its sole discretion, that additional training is necessary or required.