The Great Schools Franchisee Owners Association (GSFOA) is an independent association of The Goddard School® Franchisees – and an affiliated chapter for the American Association of Franchisees & Dealers (AAFD). GSFOA was formed in 2020 to help franchisees obtain benefits, such as low-cost healthcare, through the AAFD.
When private equity (PE) firm Sycamore Partners (Sycamore) acquired Goddard Systems, LLC (GSL) in 2022 that added a new dimension and dynamic to the franchisor/franchisee in 2022 that added a new dimension and dynamic to the franchisor/franchisee relationship that had not resulted from previous sales of our franchisor. The Sycamore acquisition was followed by changes that are still ongoing regarding what franchisors are expected to do and pay*. Sometime after the Sycamore acquisition, GSFOA members realized that the interests of franchisees and the franchisor are not always aligned and that a franchisee-controlled association could help franchisees collaborate with each other and our franchisor for the betterment of the franchise, franchisor, and franchisee experience.
*For more information on what PE ownership of a franchisor might mean to franchisees see this FAQ: Our franchisor was purchased by a private equity firm. What might that mean to franchisees?
Today, the GSFOA provides access to money-saving benefits and other services provided by AAFD, as well as GSFOA negotiated discounts on products and services that franchisees need. It also aims to improve the franchise and franchisees grow their businesses through networking, mentoring, and by collaborating with the franchisor to provide feedback on proposed or mandated actions together with inputs that help shape policies, tools, and practices that can benefit both franchisees and the franchisor.
