Can an Engineering For Kids franchisee offer programs that are not approved by the franchisor?
Engineering_For_Kids Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
the conference is mandatory or optional). You will be also responsible for all costs that you (or your Operating Principal) and any other personnel incur in connection with attending these conferences. The mandatory fees per conference will not exceed Four Hundred Dollars ($400) per Franchised Business (or per person if multiple persons will attend from the Franchised Business).
7. APPROVED PROGRAMS
7.1. Core Programs and Additional Approved Programs
Unless we approve otherwise, you must only offer only the Programs we have approved in the Manual or otherwise in writing, and in doing so you will use only the Proprietary Materials, any other curriculum materials, and standards that we have approved for use in conducting the approved Programs. We may designate certain Programs as Kelvin's core programs that are mandatory (collectively, the "Kelvin's Core Programs"). There may be other Programs that we will approve for the operation of Engineering For Kids Businesses. Such other programs may in the future be deemed to be Kelvin's Core Programs, in which case they will become mandatory for you to offer or operate in connection with the Franchised Business; or such Programs will remain ancillary Programs, in which case they will be optional for you to offer or operate in connection with the Franchised Business. We reserve the right to limit the number of ancillary Programs you conduct at the Franchised Business in addition to the Kelvin's Core Programs. You agree that you will not offer any Programs or services in connection with the Franchised Business that are not approved. We have the right to revoke our approval of any Program, curriculum and materials; and in the event we revoke our approval, you agree to discontinue further offer or use of the disapproved Programs and materials. We will maintain a list or directory of the approved Programs in the Manual and/or other written instructions that we make available to franchisees of Engineering for Kids Businesses.
7.2. Review of Proposed Programs and Test Programs
In no way limiting the terms of Section 6.3 above, if you wish to offer and conduct programs and/or to use curriculum that we have not approved for use in the System, you must submit a written request for approval according to the procedures we establish in the Manual. We have the right to grant, deny, or revoke approval of proposed programs, curriculum, and materials based solely on our judgment. We will
notify you in writing of our decision as soon as practicable following our evaluation. We may grant our approval on a limited or test basis.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 53–138)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Engineering For Kids FDD, franchisees must only offer programs approved by Engineering For Kids, utilizing only approved proprietary and curriculum materials. These approved programs are detailed in the manual or in writing. Engineering For Kids may designate certain programs as mandatory "Kelvin's Core Programs," while others remain optional. The franchisor retains the right to limit the number of optional programs a franchisee can conduct.
A key restriction is that franchisees cannot offer any programs or services that have not been approved by Engineering For Kids. Furthermore, Engineering For Kids has the authority to revoke approval of any program, curriculum, or materials, and franchisees must immediately discontinue using any disapproved programs or materials. The approved programs are listed in the manual or other written instructions provided to franchisees.
If a franchisee wishes to introduce a new program or curriculum not already approved, they must submit a written request for approval following the procedures outlined in the manual. Engineering For Kids has the sole discretion to grant, deny, or revoke approval of these proposed programs. Approvals may be granted on a limited or test basis, during which the franchisee must cooperate with Engineering For Kids and adhere to established procedures. Upon completion of the test program, all curriculum and materials must be submitted to Engineering For Kids for final evaluation.
This policy ensures consistency and quality control across all Engineering For Kids franchises, protecting the brand's reputation and the integrity of its educational offerings. Franchisees need to be proactive in seeking approval for new ideas and must be prepared to adapt to changes in approved programs and materials as directed by Engineering For Kids.