Has Esther Gokhale offered franchises in any other line of business besides the Gokhale Method?
Gokhale_Method Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
. Other than as disclosed above, Ms. Gokhale has not conducted business in any other line of business, and has not offered franchises in any other line of business. Ms. Gokhale entered into Affiliate Program Agreements, described immediately below, which may be considered the offering of franchises in this line of business.
Our parent corporation, which owns all interest in us, is Gokhale Method Enterprise, Inc. ("GME"). GME is located at 3790 El Camino Real #1033, Palo Alto, CA 94306. GME is wholly owned by Esther Gokhale. GME is engaged in the business of teaching the Gokhale Method to individuals and to employees of corporations and of operating a business of the type being offered herein. GME is responsible for developing and enhancing the Gokhale Method, and it also conducts research and product development and is the source of products bearing the Marks and that franchisees may purchase, or be required to purchase from us, in connection with the operation of their franchise. GME also provides certain administrative and marketing services to us in exchange for a fee. GME does not and has not offered franchises in any line of business.
Affiliate Program Agreements. During the period 2009 to February, 2011, Ms.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS, AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 8–10)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 Gokhale Method Franchise Disclosure Document, Esther Gokhale, the founder and president, has not offered franchises in any other line of business besides the Gokhale Method. However, from 2009 to February 2011, Ms. Gokhale offered "Affiliate Program Agreements" that authorized individuals to teach posture classes using the Gokhale Method name and marks in exchange for $3,000 for training and a fixed payment for each student taught. These arrangements might have been considered franchises under certain laws.
The Gokhale Method Institute, Inc. took assignment of Esther Gokhale's interest in all Affiliate Agreements and, in 2012, offered existing affiliates the option to convert to the franchise or end their relationship with the company. All affiliates have either converted to franchises or ended their relationship, and no further affiliate agreements have been offered since 2011.
Gokhale Method Institute, Inc. solely focuses on offering and selling franchises for teaching the Gokhale Method. The company has not conducted business or offered franchises in any other line of business. This means that the company's and its founder's efforts are entirely dedicated to the Gokhale Method, which could be seen as a positive for prospective franchisees as it demonstrates a focused approach to the business.