What is included in the required purchases for a Gokhale Method franchisee?
Gokhale_Method Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
ings**
Prior to opening your Franchised Business, you must purchase the following equipment and furnishings from us: a Gokhale® Roller, a Gokhale Pain-Free™ Chair, 8 Stretchsit® Cushions, 8 Gokhale® Wedges, 8 Gokhale® Head Cushions, 8 copies of 8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back, and sufficient shirts or uniforms (if required by us). You must also obtain an application proprietary to GMI for an iPhone; there is no charge for this application. There are no other suppliers for these items, because they are proprietary to us and GME. Because these items are proprietary to us, we do not authorize other sources to supply these items nor do we permit you to purchase them elsewhere. We do not supply the specifications of these items to third parties. Other than these items, you may purchase other required equipment and supplies from any source that can provide equipment and supplies that meet our specifications.
No officer of GMI owns any interest in any supplier of equipment, furnishings or supplies other than Esther Gokhale's ownership of GME itself.
The items that you must purchase or obtain that must meet our specifications, but that you may obtain from any source are: an Apple MacBook with an Intel Core i5 processor or equivalent, MacOS 12 Monterey or later operating system, and at least 13 inch monitor; optionally an equivalent PC; an iPhone (iPhone 6S or later, running iOS 15 or above), iPad (running iOS 15 or above), or iPod Touch (with camera, 7th generation or later, running iOS 15 or above); a digital projector with sufficient brightness for your location; a projector screen with a diagonal measure of at least 60 inches; 1 exercise strap; 1 yoga mat; 2 pillows (not cervical pillows); 1 folding chairs; 2 height implements (e.g. buckwheat pillows or flannel sheets).
As a part of scheduling group Gokhale® Foundations courses, you must own or make available for use the following: one chair per student; one Stretchsit® Cushion per student; one Gokhale® Wedge per student; one Gokhale® Head Cushion per student; two pillows per student (you can use the institute's automated form to request students to bring their own); one yoga mat or equivalent lying surface per student (you can use the institute's automated form to request students to bring their own). GME is the only approved supplier of the items identified in this paragraph, except that you may purchase the chairs, pillows, and yoga mats from any supplier approved by us.
Exceptions to the above equipment requirements may be approved by GMI on a case-by-case basis.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 15–17)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 Gokhale Method Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to purchase specific equipment and furnishings from Gokhale Method prior to opening their franchised business. These mandatory purchases include a Gokhale® Roller, a Gokhale Pain-Free™ Chair, 8 Stretchsit® Cushions, 8 Gokhale® Wedges, 8 Gokhale® Head Cushions, 8 copies of 8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back, and sufficient shirts or uniforms (if required). Additionally, franchisees must obtain an application proprietary to GMI for an iPhone, which is provided without charge. These items are proprietary to Gokhale Method, and franchisees are not permitted to purchase them from other sources.
Beyond the items exclusively sourced from Gokhale Method, franchisees must also acquire other equipment and supplies that meet the franchisor's specifications. These include an Apple MacBook with specific technical requirements (or an equivalent PC), an iPhone (or iPad or iPod Touch), a digital projector, a projector screen, an exercise strap, a yoga mat, pillows, and folding chairs. While these items must meet Gokhale Method's standards, franchisees have the flexibility to purchase them from any supplier that meets those specifications.
For scheduling group Gokhale® Foundations courses, franchisees must have access to one chair, one Stretchsit® Cushion, one Gokhale® Wedge, one Gokhale® Head Cushion, and two pillows per student. Additionally, each student needs a yoga mat or equivalent lying surface. While Gokhale Method is the only approved supplier for the Stretchsit® Cushions, Gokhale® Wedges, and Gokhale® Head Cushions, franchisees can purchase the chairs, pillows, and yoga mats from any supplier approved by Gokhale Method. Exceptions to these equipment requirements may be approved by Gokhale Method on a case-by-case basis.
Prospective franchisees should carefully review the required specifications for all equipment and supplies to ensure compliance and manage costs effectively. Understanding the approved suppliers and the process for requesting exceptions is also crucial for the initial setup and ongoing operation of the Gokhale Method franchise.