Train Extensively

You'll require the franchisee to attend specific training sessions. The critical session is the pre-opening training that is detailed in Item 11 of the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC).

This is the most important training you’ll ever provide. Part of the purpose of the program is to create a strong allegiance to the company and lay the groundwork for a successful future relationship. Never again in the relationship will you have the franchisee captive like you do in the training program. During this time you have a chance to mold the franchisee. So make sure that you’re training for exceptional, not minimum requirements.

Most of the training will take place at the Corporate site. Before the franchisee visits, make sure you have all training-related tasks completed. These include: creating the curriculum, hiring trainers (unless you do it yourself), establishing testing procedures to verify that you’ve communicated the information, and setting an exit strategy for franchisees who don’t successfully complete the training. Will you refund the franchise fees to these candidates?

Training may take between 3 – 5 days to complete. It includes both classroom training and on-the-job training. It should encompass everything from an overview of your philosophy and standards to hands-on product/service use. There may be multiple instructors and you may want to specify further training to be completed at home, before the grand opening. One example of further training is CPR certification.