What sections of the Southern Steer Franchise Agreement outline the initial and ongoing training obligations for franchisees?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
In addition to the other obligations set forth in other sections of this Agreement, Franchisee are required to do the following, and restricted from doing those things where noted: 9.1. Training. Franchisee or its Operating Principal and the Designated Manager will attend and successfully complete the Initial Training Program and any Additional Training that Franchisor may choose to offer. If Franchisee or its Operating Principal and the Designated Manager fail to satisfactorily complete the Initial Training Program, Franchisor may require Franchisee or its Operating Principal and the Designated Manager to re-take the Initial Training Program or portion thereof and pay the then current training fee, if any. Any Franchisee (or Operating Principal) or Designated Manager who does not successfully complete the required Initial Training Program to the Franchisor's satisfaction will not be permitted to participate in the operations of the Franchisee's Southern Steer Business.
9.2. Compliance with System Standards.
- (a) Quality and Service Standards.
The Franchisor has developed and will continue to develop uniform standards of quality, cleanliness, service, and safety applicable to all Southern Steer Businesses, including the Franchisee's Southern Steer Business, to protect and maintain for the benefit of the Franchisor and all of its franchisees and developers the distinction, valuable goodwill and uniformity represented and symbolized by the Marks and the System.
Source: Item 9 — ITEM. 9 FRANCHISEE'S OBLIGATIONS (FDD pages 24–25)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Southern Steer Franchise Disclosure Document, Section 9.1 of the Franchise Agreement outlines the initial and ongoing training obligations for franchisees. Franchisees, their Operating Principal, and Designated Manager must attend and successfully complete the Initial Training Program and any Additional Training that Southern Steer may offer. If they fail to complete the Initial Training Program satisfactorily, Southern Steer may require them to retake the program or a portion of it and pay the current training fee, if applicable.
The FDD also states that anyone who does not successfully complete the required Initial Training Program to Southern Steer's satisfaction will not be allowed to participate in the operations of the Southern Steer Business. Furthermore, Item 11 references Section 6.1 of the Franchise Agreement, stating that Southern Steer will provide the franchisee or their Operating Principal and Designated Manager with their Initial Training Program for up to two weeks at their corporate headquarters or another designated location.
In addition to initial training, Section 22(v) discusses training requirements for franchisees seeking to renew their franchise agreement. It states that the Franchisee (or its Operating Principal) and its Designated Manager must complete any new training requirements designated by Southern Steer as a condition of renewal. This ensures that franchisees and their management remain up-to-date with Southern Steer's standards and practices throughout the term of their franchise agreement.