For Brightstar Care franchises, is the franchisee required to purchase computer systems or software applications from Brightstar Care, its affiliates, or designated third parties?
Brightstar_Care Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
nd brand continuity. You must use the Athena Business System ("ABS"), the accounting software we designate (currently Microsoft Dynamics GP, also referred to as the Great Plains accounting software), the learning management software we designate (to support federal, state, and local license training requirements and other matters), and the required supporting hardware and software to operate your Agency. You will have the option to request our permission to use an alternative vendor for payroll services. If we grant your written request, you will be allowed to use such vendor's payroll software and will not be required to use ABS's payroll-related functions. You must obtain your accounting software and each application and collection software from us or our affiliates, or any third party we may designate and the ABS from us or our affiliates, currently BrightStar Technology. You must also purchase at your sole expense any software necessary to meet state-specific requirements of a state program or segment of business unique to your location and/or state.
In addition to the software, you must obtain from us, our affiliates, or any third party we designate, you must purchase and use any computer system or software application we develop or select, including all future updates, supplements, and modifications. You must also purchase appropriate computer hardware and software infrastructure for your local office use (the Computer Infrastructure Package). You must acquire appropriate business class internet access from a third party; that access must include small office firewall for internet security. In addition, in conjunction with our ABS Mobile platform, we recommend the purchase of mobile tablets with a keyboard and/or laptops for your Director(s) of Nursing.
You must purchase all signs, uniforms, drug screening services, and medical supplies (where alternative sources of supply are unavailable) from us, designated suppliers or approved suppliers. You must offer services in the manner we prescribe, provide quality client service, and otherwise operate the Agency to enhance the image we intend for the BrightStar Care Agency Program, including the live answer for existing and prospective customers, employees, and applicant calls as outlined in the Operations Manual.
We formulate and modify our standards and specifications for products and services based upon marketplace and reimbursement changes, the collective experience of our franchisees and our company-owned locations, and our franchise support center personnel.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 41–44)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Brightstar Care's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to purchase specific computer systems and software applications from Brightstar Care, its affiliates, or designated third parties. Specifically, franchisees must use the Athena Business System (ABS), which includes designated accounting software (Microsoft Dynamics GP, also referred to as Great Plains) and learning management software. They must also acquire the necessary supporting hardware and software to operate their Brightstar Care agency. Franchisees must obtain their accounting software and each application and collection software from BrightStar Care or its affiliates, such as BrightStar Technology, or any third party Brightstar Care designates. Franchisees must also purchase any computer system or software application that Brightstar Care develops or selects, including all future updates, supplements, and modifications. Additionally, franchisees need to purchase a Computer Infrastructure Package for their local office and secure business-class internet access with a small office firewall. Brightstar Care also recommends the purchase of mobile tablets with a keyboard and/or laptops for the Director(s) of Nursing in conjunction with the ABS Mobile platform.
While franchisees have the option to request permission to use an alternative vendor for payroll services, approval is not guaranteed and is subject to Brightstar Care's discretion. If approved, franchisees can use the alternative vendor's payroll software and will not be required to use ABS's payroll-related functions. However, Brightstar Care can revoke this approval if the vendor no longer meets their standards.
In the fiscal year ending December 29, 2024, BrightStar Technology Group, LLC, an affiliate of Brightstar Care, derived revenue of $5,432,681 from required franchisee purchases. Franchisees should be aware that the costs for items purchased from Brightstar Care or its affiliates may be higher than similar supplies and products available on the market. Brightstar Care estimates that the costs of purchases from designated or approved sources, or according to their standards and specifications, represent approximately 91% of the total cost of establishing the agency and approximately 83% of the total operating costs (excluding field staff costs) thereafter.