Are project management services required for Fitstop franchisees?
Fitstop Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
As of the Issue Date, we expect and intend to have Approved Suppliers for the following items you must purchase in connection with your Franchised Business as of the Issue Date of this Disclosure Document: (i) certain furniture, fixtures, equipment and supplies you must purchase to buildout and/or operate your Franchised Business; (ii) site selection and other real estate services (recommended, but not necessarily required); (iii) software and technology we designate for use in connection with the System; (iv) signage furniture, fixtures, equipment, supplies and inventory comprising the Start-Up Equipment and Supplies
Package (detailed more fully in Item 8); (v) other inventory items and paper goods; (vi) branded items and retail merchandise, including certain Approved Products; (vii) certain marketing materials and services, which may include digital marketing and collateral such as flyers, coupons, banners, flags and similar promotional items; (viii) music licensing services (for use at your Premises); and (ix) project management and related services associated with the buildout and design of your Franchised Business (optional, not required).
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 19–23)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Fitstop's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, project management services associated with the buildout and design of your Franchised Business are optional, not required. This means a new franchisee has the choice of managing the buildout process themselves or hiring project management services.
While Fitstop does not mandate project management, they do have the right to require franchisees to purchase items or services from an "Approved Supplier." Fitstop will provide a list of Approved Suppliers in writing, which they may update or modify as they deem appropriate. As of the issue date of the FDD, Fitstop expects to have Approved Suppliers for certain furniture, fixtures, equipment, and supplies, site selection and other real estate services (recommended, but not necessarily required), software and technology, signage, inventory items and paper goods, branded items and retail merchandise, certain marketing materials and services, and music licensing services.
Even though project management services are optional, franchisees must still adhere to Fitstop's standards and specifications for the buildout and design of their Franchised Business. This ensures consistency across all Fitstop locations and maintains the brand's image. Franchisees should carefully consider their own project management capabilities and experience before deciding whether to engage these optional services. If a franchisee chooses to manage the project themselves, they will need to dedicate sufficient time and resources to ensure the buildout meets Fitstop's requirements.