From whom must a Big Blue Swim School franchisee acquire the School's furniture, fixtures, and equipment?
Big_Blue_Swim_School Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must operate the School according to our Brand Standards. Brand Standards may regulate, among other things, types, models, and brands of furniture, fixtures, signs, and equipment (including components of and required software licenses for the Computer System) required for the School (collectively, "Operating Assets"); required, authorized, and unauthorized services and products for the School; and designated and approved manufacturers, suppliers, and/or distributors of items and services. You must buy or lease all Operating Assets, products, and services you use or sell at the School only according to Brand Standards and, if we require, only from manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors we designate or approve (which may include or be limited to us, certain of our affiliates, and/or other restricted sources) at the prices those suppliers choose to charge.
We and our affiliate currently are the designated (i.e., only) suppliers of proprietary software for the School's operation (i.e., LESSONBuddy) and creative and implementation services for the School's required public relations and market introduction advertising/promotion program. We currently are approved (but not the only) suppliers of Marketing Materials to advertise and promote the School.
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 Big Blue Swim School's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must adhere to Brand Standards when acquiring furniture, fixtures, and equipment for their schools. These standards may specify the types, models, and brands of furniture, fixtures, signs, and equipment required, collectively referred to as "Operating Assets." Franchisees must buy or lease all Operating Assets, products, and services according to these Brand Standards.
Big Blue Swim School may require franchisees to purchase these assets only from manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors that Big Blue Swim School designates or approves. These designated or approved sources may include Big Blue Swim School itself, its affiliates, or other restricted sources. Currently, Big Blue Swim School and its affiliate are the designated suppliers of proprietary software (LESSONBuddy) and creative and implementation services for the school's required public relations and market introduction advertising/promotion program. They are also approved suppliers of Marketing Materials.
Besides the items and services for which Big Blue Swim School and its affiliate are currently approved or designated suppliers, franchisees must acquire the School's furniture, fixtures, equipment, Computer System, point-of-sale system, accounting and bookkeeping system, business software, signage, uniforms, chemicals and other supplies, pump, HVAC, pool systems, pool materials, building-management systems, marketing, graphic design services, adaptive swim lessons, lifeguard training, and Loyalty Program Media services only from suppliers Big Blue Swim School designates or approves. This means a franchisee's choice of suppliers for these essential items is limited to those pre-approved by Big Blue Swim School, ensuring consistency and quality across the franchise system but potentially limiting the franchisee's ability to negotiate better prices or terms.
Big Blue Swim School has the right to condition its approval of a supplier or distributor on requirements relating to product quality and safety; third-party lab testing; prices; consistency; warranty; supply chain reliability and integrity; financial stability; customer relations; frequency, economy, and efficiency of delivery; concentration of purchases; standards of service (including prompt attention to complaints); and other criteria. Big Blue Swim School may inspect the proposed supplier's or distributor's facilities and require the proposed supplier or distributor to send samples directly to them or to a third-party testing service. Big Blue Swim School has the right to be reimbursed for the costs of testing new products or services or inspecting new suppliers a franchisee proposes. Big Blue Swim School has the right to re-inspect a supplier's or distributor's facilities and products and revoke its approval of any supplier, distributor, product, or service no longer meeting their criteria by notifying the franchisee and/or the supplier or distributor.