Does Goldfish Swim School, its officers, or directors have any ownership interest in any Approved Supplier?

According to Goldfish Swim School's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, neither Goldfish Swim School, nor any of its officers or directors, nor anyone listed in Item 2 of the FDD has any ownership or other interest in any Approved Supplier at this time. Furthermore, neither Goldfish Swim School, nor any of its affiliates, are the only approved suppliers of any categories of Approved Supplies. This means that franchisees are not obligated to purchase supplies from entities with direct ownership ties to the franchisor or its leadership.

This arrangement is generally favorable for prospective franchisees. It reduces the risk of conflicts of interest where Goldfish Swim School might prioritize the financial interests of its own affiliated suppliers over the best prices or quality for franchisees. The FDD also states that Goldfish Swim School may receive rebates from suppliers based upon franchisee purchases and that in fiscal year 2024, neither Goldfish Swim School nor its affiliates received any amount in rebates based upon purchases by franchisees.

However, Goldfish Swim School does reserve the right to establish exclusive arrangements with certain providers or suppliers for the benefit of the entire System, and franchisees would be required to participate in these arrangements. Additionally, Goldfish Swim School estimates that a significant portion of a franchisee's expenditures, approximately 80% to 95% during establishment and 35% to 45% on an ongoing basis, will be for goods and services that must be purchased from Goldfish Swim School, its affiliate, or an approved supplier, or according to their standards and specifications. While there may not be direct ownership, the control over approved suppliers still gives Goldfish Swim School significant influence over franchisee costs and operations.