What are the two components of the Pre-Opening Training program for a Stretch Zone franchise?
Stretch_Zone Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Section 2.10 PRE-OPENING TRAINING
- (a) Pre-Opening Training. Our pre-opening training consists of our Franchisee Training Program and our Regional Manager Training Program (collectively, "Pre-Opening Training"). We will provide, and the individuals that collectively comprise Franchisee or, if Franchisee is a Business Entity, Franchise Owners must attend and successfully complete within 30 days of signing the Franchise Agreement, our proprietary Franchisee Training Program at our training facility at our corporate headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We also will provide, and your Regional Manager must attend and successfully complete, our Regional Manager Training Program at our training facility. All Trainees must successfully complete our training requirements to our satisfaction. 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. Pre-Opening Training for the individuals identified in this Section 2.10(a) (but not for any additional personnel or replacements of the individuals identified) are included in the Initial Franchise Fee, provided that you are responsible for all expenses of the Trainees to attend the programs described in this Section 2.10(a), including all payroll, travel, lodging and meal expenses.
- (b) Failure to Complete Pre-Opening Training. If any individual required to attend Pre-Opening Training fails to complete the applicable training program, as we reasonably determine, we may: (i) at your expense and direction, retrain the Trainee or train another Trainee; or (ii) elect to terminate this Agreement. If we elect to terminate this Agreement, we will retain the Initial Franchise Fee, and you must sign the Franchise Termination and Release Agreement included as Exhibit N to the FDD.
(c) No Warranty of Success. Our determination that your Trainees have successfully completed any required training programs is not a warranty or representation that any Trainee can or will successfully operates the Franchise Business or any aspect of the Franchise Business.
Source: Item 8 — Receipts. Any sale made must be in compliance with § 683(8) of the Franchise Sale Act (N.Y. Gen. Bus. L. § 680 et seq.), which describes the time period a Franchise Disclosure Document (offering prospectus) must be provided to a prospective franchisee before a sale may be made. New York law requires a franchisor to provide the Franchise Disclosure Document at the earliest of the first personal meeting or ten (10) business days before the execution of the franchise or other agreement or the payment of any consideration that relates to the franchise relationship. (FDD pages 99–263)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Stretch Zone Franchise Disclosure Document, the Pre-Opening Training program consists of two components: the Franchisee Training Program and the Regional Manager Training Program. The franchisee, or the franchise owners if the franchisee is a business entity, must attend and successfully complete the Franchisee Training Program within 30 days of signing the Franchise Agreement. This program takes place at Stretch Zone's training facility at its corporate headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Similarly, the Regional Manager must also attend and successfully complete the Regional Manager Training Program at the same facility.
Successful completion of these training programs is mandatory for all trainees, who must also sign a Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement. The initial franchise fee covers the Pre-Opening Training for the individuals specified, but the franchisee is responsible for all expenses related to the trainees' attendance, including payroll, travel, lodging, and meal expenses.
Failure to complete the required training programs can result in Stretch Zone either retraining the individual or training a replacement, both at the franchisee's expense. Alternatively, Stretch Zone can elect to terminate the Franchise Agreement, retaining the initial franchise fee, which underscores the importance of successfully completing the Pre-Opening Training. It is important to note that Stretch Zone does not guarantee the success of the franchisee's business based on the successful completion of the training programs.