Who owns an interest in ACAE, the designated supplier for Bigfoot Forestry?

According to Bigfoot Forestry's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Chief Executive Officer, Benjamin Bartnikowski, owns an interest in ACAE. ACAE is an affiliate of Bigfoot Forestry and serves as the exclusive designated supplier for items included in the Equipment Package and the Startup Package. If franchisees require additional equipment or tools after opening their Bigfoot Forestry franchise, they must purchase them exclusively from ACAE.

This arrangement means that a portion of the revenue generated by ACAE from sales to Bigfoot Forestry franchisees benefits Benjamin Bartnikowski directly, due to his ownership interest. This is a common practice in franchising, where franchisors or their affiliates act as suppliers and derive revenue from these sales. However, it's important for prospective franchisees to understand these relationships and how they might affect costs and sourcing options.

While the FDD states that no other officers of Bigfoot Forestry own an interest in approved or designated suppliers, the CEO's ownership of ACAE is a significant point for potential franchisees to consider. It highlights the importance of evaluating the pricing and quality of goods sourced from ACAE, as there is a financial incentive for Bigfoot Forestry to encourage or require franchisees to purchase from this specific supplier. Franchisees should conduct thorough due diligence to ensure they are receiving fair value and that the source restrictions do not negatively impact their business operations.