What items does Big Blue Swim School currently negotiate purchase arrangements for with suppliers?
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 FDD, Big Blue Swim School currently negotiates purchase arrangements with suppliers for several categories of items. These include promotional items, pool equipment and chemicals, office supplies, retail goods, and swim teaching aids.
Big Blue Swim School states that these negotiations are conducted to promote the overall interests of the franchise system and their own interests as the franchisor. However, the FDD also clarifies that Big Blue Swim School does not negotiate purchase arrangements for the benefit of any particular franchisee. This means that while they aim to secure favorable terms, individual franchisees may not directly benefit from these negotiations.
It's important to note that Big Blue Swim School indicates that they might not always obtain the best pricing or most advantageous terms on behalf of 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 implies that franchisees should still conduct their own due diligence and assess the quality and reliability of the suppliers and products, even if they are part of a negotiated arrangement.