Is a Stretch Zone franchisee responsible for travel, living, and compensation expenses for their personnel attending training courses?
Stretch_Zone Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Fees and Expenses During Training. We will provide the Franchisee Training Program for you (if you are one or more individuals) or Franchise Owners (if you are a business entity), the Regional Manager Training Program for you or your initial Designated Representative if you or your initial Designated Representative will act as your Regional Manager and attend this Program in connection with the Franchisee Training Program, the Sales Associate Training Program for up to five of your initial Sales Associates, and the Initial On-Site Training Program (including the Stretch Practitioner Program for up to 12 of your initial practitioner candidates) at no additional charge, but you must pay the applicable training fee that we specify for any additional individuals that we permit to attend such training programs and for the training of any replacement personnel. You also agree to pay the training fees that we periodically specify for any ongoing training and evaluation programs that we provide. You will be responsible for your personnel's travel, living and other expenses (including local transportation expenses) and compensation incurred in connection with attendance at any and all training courses and programs, conventions or work at any Stretch Zone business that is part of their development. You also will be responsible for our personnel's travel, living, and other expenses (including local transportation expenses) incurred in connection with our personnel's providing training at any location other than at our training facility at our corporate headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. You will not, however, be required to pay for such expenses of our personnel in conducting the Initial On-Site Training Program. [Section 2.15 of the Franchise Agreement.]
Execution of Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement. Each Trainee must sign our form of Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement (the form of which is included in the Operations Manual) as a condition of our approval. [Subsection 2.10(a) of the Franchise Agreement.]
ADDITIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS OR REFRESHER COURSES
Recertification Program. On an annual basis, we will conduct additional recertification training for all Certified Stretch Zone Practitioners of each Franchise. Our fee is $2,000 per Franchise, regardless of the number of Certified Stretch Zone Practitioners you have. We generally offer this Program virtually but reserve the right to conduct the Program in-person. [Subsection 2.16(f) of the Franchise Agreement.]
Replacement Regional Manager Training. If the Regional Manager fails to satisfy his or her obligations provided in Subsection 4.6(c) of the Franchise Agreement due to death, disability, termination of employment or for any other reason, you, your Designated Representative, or a Franchise Owner will satisfy these obligations until you designate a new Regional Manager who has successfully completed our then-current training requirements (for which you must pay us the applicable training fees). You are solely responsible for the expenses associated with training of any replacement Regional Manager, including the then-prevailing standard training fees we charge. [Subsection 4.6(d) of the Franchise Agreement.]
Source: Item 23 — ADVERTISING RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 (FDD pages 44–54)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Stretch Zone's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are generally responsible for covering the travel, living, and compensation expenses of their personnel when they attend training courses. This includes costs like transportation and lodging. However, there is an exception: franchisees are not required to pay these expenses for Stretch Zone personnel when they conduct the Initial On-Site Training Program at the franchisee's location.
Specifically, the franchisee is responsible for these expenses related to training programs, conventions, or work at any Stretch Zone business that is part of their development. Additionally, if Stretch Zone personnel provide training at a location other than the corporate headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the franchisee will be responsible for their travel, living, and local transportation expenses.
Furthermore, if a Regional Manager needs replacement and requires training, the franchisee is solely responsible for all expenses associated with that replacement's training, including the standard training fees. This comprehensive allocation of costs means franchisees must budget not only for the direct training fees but also for the associated travel and living expenses of their staff.