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How does the requirement to purchase from approved suppliers for Kidokinetics (Item 8) relate to the franchisee's obligations (Item 9)?

Kidokinetics Franchise · 2024 FDD

Answer from 2024 FDD Document

SERVICES

You must operate your Kidokinetics Business according to our System and specifications. This includes purchasing or leasing products, services, supplies, equipment, computer hardware and software, and inventory related to establishing and operating the Kidokinetics Franchise under our specifications, which may include purchasing these items from: (i) our designees; (ii) approved suppliers; and/or (iii) us or our affiliates. You must not deviate from these methods, standards and specifications without our prior written consent, or otherwise operate in any manner which reflects adversely on our Marks or the System.

Our confidential franchise operations manual ("Franchise Operations Manual") states our standards, specifications and guidelines for all products and services we require you to obtain in establishing and operating your Kidokinetics Franchise and approved vendors for these products and services. We will notify you of new or modified standards, specifications and guidelines through periodic amendments or supplements to the Franchise Operations Manual or through other written communication (including electronic communication such as email or through a system-wide intranet).

You must purchase, install, maintain in sufficient supply and use equipment, signs and supplies that conform to the standards and specifications described in the Franchise Operations Manual or otherwise in writing.

Many of the products, supplies and services discussed above may only be purchased from approved suppliers in accordance with the Franchise Operations Manual. We will provide you with a list of these items and services and their approved suppliers, which may include or be limited to us or an affiliate. We are approved suppliers of the proprietary business management software. We or our affiliate are the exclusive provider of the Enhanced Business Coaching and Training Services for your Kidokinetics Businesses and of the marketing materials and services including the Initial Marketing Package. We are also an approved supplier of logoed items, such as uniforms, packaging supplies and other items bearing the Marks, but we may approve alternate suppliers in our discretion.

If you want to use any item or service in establishing or operating your Kidokinetics Business that we have not approved (for items or services that require supplier approval), you must first send us sufficient information, specifications or samples for us to determine whether the item or service complies with our standards and specifications or whether the supplier meets our approved supplier criteria. You must reimburse us for all of our reasonable expenses in connection with determining whether we will approve an item, service or supplier. We will decide within a reasonable time (usually 30 days) after receiving the required information whether you may purchase or lease the items or services or if you may purchase from the supplier. Our approval may later be withdrawn based on the supplier's performance, changes in our specifications, standards or requirements, or for other reasons.

Our approval process generally focuses on the supplier's dependability, general reputation and ability to provide sufficient quantity of product or services, and the products' or services' prices and quality. Our standards, specifications and other criteria for supplier or distributor approval have been developed by us, our principals and our affiliates through the expenditure of extensive work and time and are considered confidential information. We do not make our standards and specifications or our other criteria for supplier

or distributor approval available to our franchisees or approved suppliers. Our specifications, standards and requirements may, on occasion, change, in our sole discretion.

We reserve the right to limit the number of potential suppliers we may consider for approval and for some categories of products or services, we may designate a third party or ourselves as exclusive suppliers.

We may, but are not required to, negotiate purchase arrangements with suppliers and distributors for the benefit of franchisees and the System as a whole, and we may receive rebates or volume discounts from our purchase of equipment and supplies that we resell to you. We currently do not have any purchasing or distribution cooperatives.

What This Means (2024 FDD)

According to Kidokinetics's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, Item 8 outlines the restrictions on sources of products and services, which directly impacts a franchisee's obligations as detailed in the franchise agreement. Franchisees are required to operate their Kidokinetics business according to the Kidokinetics system and specifications, which includes purchasing or leasing products, services, supplies, equipment, computer hardware and software, and inventory from designated sources such as Kidokinetics's designees, approved suppliers, or directly from Kidokinetics or its affiliates. Deviation from these standards without prior written consent is prohibited.

The confidential Franchise Operations Manual further specifies the standards, specifications, and guidelines for all required products and services, including approved vendors. Kidokinetics will communicate any new or modified standards through amendments or supplements to the manual or via written communication. Franchisees must maintain sufficient supplies of equipment and signage that conform to the standards outlined in the Franchise Operations Manual. A significant portion of a franchisee's expenditures, estimated between 30% to 80% during establishment and 25% to 30% on an ongoing basis, will be directed towards approved suppliers or according to Kidokinetics's specifications.

While Kidokinetics does not offer material benefits for purchasing through approved sources, non-compliance can lead to termination of the Franchise Agreement. Kidokinetics may receive rebates from suppliers based on franchisee purchases, without any obligation to pass these on to franchisees. Franchisees have the option to request approval for alternative suppliers, but they must provide sufficient information for Kidokinetics to assess compliance with its standards and specifications, and reimburse Kidokinetics for any associated expenses. Kidokinetics will then decide whether to approve the proposed item, service, or supplier, typically within 60 days of receiving all required information. This approval can be withdrawn later based on the supplier's performance or changes in Kidokinetics's requirements.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.