Who is responsible for the travel expenses and salaries of employees attending any training program on behalf of a Southern Steer franchisee?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ake 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. All new Operating Principals and Designated Managers appointed or hired after the Required Opening Date of the Southern Steer Business must attend the Initial Training Program within 45 days (or such time as is designated by Franchisor) after the date of appointment or hiring.
Source: Item 22 — ITEM. 22 CONTRACTS (FDD pages 61–168)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Southern Steer Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for covering the travel, living expenses, and wages for additional attendees at the Initial Training Program. Specifically, if the franchisee chooses to send more people to the Initial Training Program beyond the Franchisee (or Operating Principal) and the Designated Manager, they will incur these costs.
Southern Steer may also require the franchisee, their management staff, and other employees to attend additional training. This additional training would be at the franchisee's expense if their Southern Steer Business fails to meet certain performance standards or if Southern Steer otherwise determines that additional training is necessary.
Furthermore, the franchisee is responsible for paying the then-current Brand Conference Fee for themselves, their Operating Principal, or their Designated Manager to attend the Brand Conference. If the franchisee elects to have additional attendees at the Brand Conference, the franchisee will pay Southern Steer the then-current fee for the additional attendees, as well as covering all travel and living expenses incurred by the franchisee's attendees to attend the Brand Conference. This means that beyond the initial training, franchisees should budget for ongoing training and conference costs for themselves and their staff.