Does Big Blue Swim School currently have any purchasing or distribution cooperatives?
Big_Blue_Swim_School Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
There currently are no purchasing or distribution cooperatives. We and our affiliates currently negotiate purchase arrangements with suppliers (including price terms) for promotional items, pool equipment and chemicals, office supplies, retail goods, and swim teaching aids. In doing so, we and our affiliates seek to promote the overall interests of the franchise system and our interests as the franchisor. (We do not negotiate purchase arrangements for the benefit of any particular franchisee.) We and our affiliates might not obtain the best pricing or most advantageous terms on behalf of BIG BLUE Swim Schools. We and our affiliates also cannot control the performance of suppliers and distributors to BIG BLUE Swim Schools, including if their products or services fail to conform to or perform in compliance with Brand Standards or our contractual terms with the supplier or distributor.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 29–34)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Big Blue Swim School Franchise Disclosure Document, Big Blue Swim School does not currently have any purchasing or distribution cooperatives. However, Big Blue Swim School and its affiliates negotiate purchase arrangements with suppliers for various items such as promotional items, pool equipment and chemicals, office supplies, retail goods, and swim teaching aids. These negotiations aim to promote the overall interests of the franchise system and the franchisor's interests, but not necessarily the benefit of any particular franchisee.
Big Blue Swim School also states that they might not obtain the best pricing or most advantageous terms on behalf of Big Blue Swim School franchisees. Additionally, they cannot control the performance of suppliers and distributors, including whether their products or services comply with brand standards or contractual terms. This means that while franchisees benefit from the negotiated arrangements, there is no guarantee of the best possible pricing or supplier performance.
Prospective franchisees should be aware that Big Blue Swim School has the right to derive revenue from franchisee purchases and leases, including charging prices exceeding their costs for services and products sold to franchisees. They also have the right to use amounts received from suppliers without restriction. While the FDD states that Big Blue Swim School and its affiliates do not currently receive revenue from unaffiliated suppliers, this policy could change, potentially impacting the costs and terms available to franchisees.