From whom must a Big Blue Swim School franchisee acquire the School's chemicals and other supplies?
Big_Blue_Swim_School Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Besides the items and services described above for which we and our affiliate currently are approved or designated suppliers, you currently must acquire the School's furniture, fixtures, equipment, Computer System, point-of-sale system, accounting and bookkeeping system, business software (including background check services, credit card processing services, customer feedback software, customer review mitigation, and recruiting tracking software), worker's compensation support, payroll and employee benefits software, signage, uniforms, chemicals and other supplies,
pump, HVAC, pool systems (including the pump room and pump notifications), pool materials (including swim platforms, lane tents, teaching tools, goggles, swim diapers, and swimsuits), building-management systems, marketing (including search engine optimization, digital, print, and email), graphic design services, adaptive swim lessons, lifeguard training, and Loyalty Program Media services only from suppliers we designate or approve.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 29–34)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 FDD, Big Blue Swim School franchisees must acquire chemicals and other supplies from suppliers designated or approved by the franchisor. Besides proprietary software (LESSONBuddy) and creative/implementation services for public relations and market introduction advertising, franchisees must acquire furniture, fixtures, equipment, computer systems, point-of-sale systems, accounting and bookkeeping systems, business software, signage, uniforms, chemicals and other supplies, pump, HVAC, pool systems, pool materials, building-management systems, marketing services, graphic design services, adaptive swim lessons, lifeguard training, and Loyalty Program Media services only from designated or approved suppliers. These suppliers may include Big Blue Swim School itself, its affiliates, or other restricted sources.
Big Blue Swim School enforces brand standards that regulate the types, models, and brands of various items and services required for the school. This includes furniture, fixtures, signs, equipment, operating assets, and authorized services and products. Franchisees are obligated to buy or lease all operating assets, products, and services according to these brand standards and from the designated or approved suppliers at the prices those suppliers set.
Big Blue Swim School retains the right to designate exclusive sources for particular items or services, which could include themselves or an affiliate. They may also limit the number of approved suppliers and distributors and refuse a franchisee's requests for any reason if they believe it is in the best interest of the Big Blue Swim School network. While franchisees can propose suppliers, Big Blue Swim School's approval criteria are not made available to franchisees, and the franchisor can revoke approval of any supplier, distributor, product, or service that no longer meets their criteria.
This arrangement allows Big Blue Swim School to maintain quality control, protect trade secrets, and potentially achieve better purchase and delivery terms. However, it also means franchisees may not be able to source supplies from the lowest-cost provider and are subject to the franchisor's decisions regarding suppliers, which may impact their operational costs and service quality.