QuickBooks OnlineIntuit
Mandatoryystem. You must store all data and information in the Computer System that we designate, and report data and information in the manner we specify. You must allow us to access your QuickBooks Online vi
From the filings
+500% units YoYHQ-led decisions
Skill Samurai
Youth servicesSoftware purchasing at Skill Samurai is controlled at the headquarters level, with CEO Jeff Hughes and CMO Jamie Buttigieg identified in the 2023 FDD. The franchise mandates Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and QuickBooks Online, creating a defined integration landscape. The addressable market is small but high-growth, currently at 6 franchised locations.
For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.
Live signals
Total units
6
6 franchised
Unit growth YoY
+500%
vs prior filing
AUV
—
Item 19, 2023
Royalty
7%
of gross sales
Ad fund
5%
national + local
Initial fee
$49K
per unit
Investment range
$144K–$308K
all-in, Item 7
Procurement
Approved supplier
from the filing
Item 19
No claims
from the filing
Ongoing fee load
What the operator pays every month
The recurring percentage of gross sales named in this filing, before rent, labour or any technology fee.
12%of gross sales (FY2023)
15% reference
Mandated & recommended tech
The systems vendors compete with
1 of these are mandated in the franchise agreement. Each is named in Item 11 of the filing, the incumbents a challenger must displace or integrate with.
Apple PayApple
er things, companies that provide services for electronic payment, such as near field communication vendors (for Skill Samurai Inc. 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document 21 example, “Apple Pay” and “Goog
FacebookMeta
advertising budget, but we reserve the right to do so in the future. While not required, we recommend you utilize digital marketing platforms and SEO tools such as google ads and Facebook marketing to
Google AdsGoogle
must spend your advertising budget, but we reserve the right to do so in the future. While not required, we recommend you utilize digital marketing platforms and SEO tools such as google ads and Faceb
Google PayGoogle
nies that provide services for electronic payment, such as near field communication vendors (for Skill Samurai Inc. 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document 21 example, “Apple Pay” and “Google Wallet”). We
Franchisor behaviours
What the franchisor requires
29 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 3 explicit no's; 2 questions the text does not settle, which is not a no.
Accounting
Must the franchisee use an accounting or bookkeeping system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 8
You must use and maintain the computer hardware and software systems, applications, and web technologies that we periodically designate to operate your Skill Samurai Business.
Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?
YesItem 11
We (or our designee(s)) have the right to independently access the electronic information and data relating to your Skill Samurai Franchise and to collect and use your electronic information and data in any manner, including to promote the System and the sale of Franchises.
Must the franchisee submit periodic financial statements (monthly, quarterly or annual) to the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
You agree to submit financial and operational reports and records to us at the times and in the manner specified in the Manuals.
How the franchisor buys
Does the franchisor reserve the right to change designated suppliers or systems at any time?
YesItem 8
“System Curriculum and Materials” means the curriculum, course guides, program materials and such other programs, materials, equipment, and products that we, in our reasonable business judgment, designates from time-to-time and as may be modified, replaced and/or supplemented from time-to-time by us, in our…
How much revenue did the franchisor and its affiliates earn from franchisee purchases in the last fiscal year?
0Item 8
During our last fiscal year, we received $0 in revenue from franchisees’ required purchases and leases of products and services (0% of our total revenue for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021).
Does the franchisor or an affiliate receive rebates, commissions or other revenue from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
We and our affiliates may receive rebates from some suppliers based on your purchase of services and products and we have no obligation to pass them on to our franchisees or use them in any particular manner.
Item 8 gives this proportion in one of two shapes: separate percentages for establishing the business and for operating it, or one figure covering "establishing and operating" together. Where they are separate, answer with the operating percentage; where the passage gives only the combined figure, answer with that. What percentage of the franchisee's purchases must come from designated or approved suppliers?
20Item 8
For our Brick-and-Mortar Model we estimate that approximately seventy percent (70%) of purchases required to open your Skill Samurai Business and twenty percent (20%) of purchases required to operate your Skill Samurai Business will be from us or from other approved suppliers or under our specifications.
Does the franchisor charge a fee to evaluate a proposed supplier?
YesItem 8
We reserve the right to charge a fee to evaluate the proposed product, service, or supplier.
Can a franchisee propose a new supplier for the franchisor's approval?
YesItem 8
If you want to use or sell a product or service that we have not yet evaluated, or if you want to purchase or lease a product or service from a supplier or provider that we have not yet approved (for products and services that require supplier approval), you must notify us and submit to us the information…
Communications
Does the franchisor own or control the business telephone numbers, or take them over when the agreement ends?
YesFranchise agreement
to cancel or transfer to us or our designee all authorized and unauthorized domain names, social media accounts, telephone numbers, post office boxes, and classified and other directory listings relating to, or used in connection with, the Business or the Marks
Data and IT
Must the franchisee comply with PCI, data-security or cybersecurity standards set by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
You also must comply with all laws and payment card provider standards relating to the security of the Computer System, including, without limitation, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards.
Franchise management
Does the franchisor conduct periodic inspections, audits or evaluations of the franchised business?
YesFranchise agreement
We may require you to participate in a mystery shopper service in order to ensure your compliance with the System and our customer service standards.
Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?
YesFranchise agreement
You acknowledge that we may amend, modify, or supplement the Manuals at any time, so long as such amendments, modifications, or supplements will, in our good faith opinion, benefit us and our existing and future franchisees or will otherwise improve the System.
Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?
YesItem 12
Your franchise is for the specific Site that we approve.
Marketing
Is the franchisee prohibited from operating its own website or social media accounts, or required to use pages the franchisor provides?
YesFranchise agreement
Unless we consent otherwise in writing, you and your employees may not, directly or indirectly, conduct or be involved in any Digital Marketing that use the Marks or that relate to the Business or the network.
Is a minimum grand opening advertising spend required?
YesItem 7
You must spend a minimum of $15,000 on grand opening advertising if you are operating your Skill Samurai Business from a Bick- and-Mortar location .
Is the franchisee required to spend a minimum amount on local advertising or marketing, as a percentage of sales or a fixed amount?
YesItem 11
In addition to the Brand Development Fund Contributions, you must spend a minimum of $1,000 on local advertising each calendar month (“Local Advertising Requirement”).
Must the franchisee participate in a regional advertising cooperative when one exists?
YesItem 11
If we elect to form such cooperatives, or if such cooperatives already exist near your territory, you will be required to participate in compliance with the provisions of the Operations Manual, which we may periodically modify in our discretion.
Operations
Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
You must purchase our specified furniture and fixtures only from our approved suppliers.
Payments
Must the franchisee use a payment processor or merchant-services provider designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 8
Credit Card Processing. You must set up an account with our designated credit card processing supplier.
Are royalties and other fees collected by automatic bank debit (ACH or electronic funds transfer) from the franchisee's account?
YesFranchise agreement
We currently require you to make payment by electronic debit from your specified checking or savings account, and you must complete and sign an Electronic Funds Transfer Authorization Form for this purpose.
Must the franchisee participate in a gift card program?
YesFranchise agreement
You must participate in all in-Business promotional programs that we offer to franchisees.
People
Does the franchisor require minimum staffing levels or specific roles?
YesItem 15
ITEM 15 OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS The Franchise Agreement requires that you or, if you are a corporate entity, that your managing shareholder or partner be personally responsible for the daily management and supervision of the Skill Samurai Business (the “Operating…
Must employees wear uniforms specified by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
You must display the Marks in a manner that we specify on signage at the Business and on all written materials, forms, advertising, promotional materials, supplies, employee uniforms, business cards, receipts, letterhead, contracts, stationary, and other materials we designate.
Point of sale
Must the franchisee use a specific point-of-sale system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
You must obtain, maintain, and use the hardware, software, other equipment, and network connections that we specify periodically in the Manuals necessary to operate our point-of-sale system, the customer relationship management system, and other technology systems that we designate (collectively, the “Computer…
Does the franchisor have independent access to the data in the franchisee's POS or computer system?
YesItem 11
We (or our designee(s)) have the right to independently access the electronic information and data relating to your Skill Samurai Franchise and to collect and use your electronic information and data in any manner, including to promote the System and the sale of Franchises.
Sales and CRM
Must the franchisee use a CRM system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
You must obtain, maintain, and use the hardware, software, other equipment, and network connections that we specify periodically in the Manuals necessary to operate our point-of-sale system, the customer relationship management system, and other technology systems that we designate (collectively, the “Computer…
Training
Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?
YesFranchise agreement
We may charge you a reasonable fee for optional training programs.
Is attendance at an annual convention or conference mandatory for the franchisee?
YesItem 11
In addition to participating in ongoing training, you will be required to attend an annual meeting of all franchisees at a location we designate if we hold an annual meeting of all franchisees.
The filing answers no to 3 questions
- Is the franchisor or an affiliate itself a supplier of required products, services or systems?Item 8
- Is there a franchisee advisory council, association or committee?Item 11
- Must the franchisee participate in a customer-satisfaction or net-promoter survey program?Franchise agreement
The vendor opportunity at Skill Samurai
Skill Samurai is a youth-services franchise based in Florida with a total of 6 franchised units as of its 2023 FDD. The number of company-owned locations is not disclosed. The system has experienced 500% year-over-year unit growth, signaling a brand in active expansion mode. For software vendors, the immediate addressable market is small—just 6 locations—but the growth trajectory suggests a potential for new unit onboarding and an evolving tech stack.
Operators are spread across five states: Washington (2 units), New York (1), South Dakota (1), Michigan (1), and Indiana (1). All 8 mapped operators are single-unit franchisees; no multi-unit operators are on file. This fragmented ownership structure means any software rollout would require buy-in from individual owners, though franchisor mandates can streamline adoption.
Who controls software purchasing
Decision-making authority appears concentrated at the headquarters level. The 2023 FDD names Jeff Hughes as CEO and Jamie Buttigieg as CMO. No CIO, CTO, or VP of Technology is listed. For vendors, the initial pitch likely needs to resonate with these two executives, who presumably oversee both operational and marketing technology decisions. The absence of a dedicated technology buyer suggests the sales cycle may be direct but could require educating the leadership team on technical integration requirements.
Mandated and current tech stack
Skill Samurai mandates three specific technologies: Apple Pay by Apple Inc., Google Wallet, and QuickBooks Online by Intuit Inc. These are the only named systems in the FDD. The mandates cover payment acceptance and accounting, but no mandated POS, scheduling, CRM, or learning management system is disclosed. This leaves a clear gap for vendors offering complementary youth-services software, such as class management, parent communication portals, or attendance tracking.
Vendors proposing solutions that integrate with QuickBooks Online and support Apple Pay and Google Wallet will have a technical advantage. Any system that cannot mesh with these mandated tools will face an uphill battle.
Procurement, renewals, and timing
The FDD does not include an extract from Item 8, which typically describes procurement restrictions, designated suppliers, or approved vendor programs. Without this information, it is unknown whether Skill Samurai requires franchisees to purchase from a specific vendor list or if they operate an open procurement model. Similarly, Item 17 renewal terms and the initial franchise term length are not disclosed, offering no signal on when contract windows might open or when franchise agreements come up for renewal.
Given the system's small size and recent growth, vendors should monitor new unit openings as the most likely trigger for software evaluation. A proactive approach—reaching out to HQ as new locations are awarded—may be the most effective timing strategy.
How to read the Skill Samurai FDD
The 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document is the authoritative source for understanding Skill Samurai's obligations, fees, and operational requirements. For software vendors, the most relevant sections are Item 11 (franchisor's assistance, advertising, computer systems, and training), which lists the mandated technology, and Item 8 (restrictions on sources of products and services), which was not extracted in this dataset. The full FDD is embedded below for your review. Use it to validate integration requirements and identify any additional tech obligations before building a pitch.
For a ranked target list of franchise brands matched to your software category, FranCloud can help.
Questions vendors ask
Skill Samurai, answered from the filing
The 2023 FDD lists Jeff Hughes (CEO) and Jamie Buttigieg (CMO) as the key executives. With no CIO or CTO on file, purchasing decisions likely route through these two roles.
The FDD mandates Apple Pay by Apple Inc., Google Wallet, and QuickBooks Online by Intuit Inc. No other mandated operational or POS systems are disclosed.
There are 6 total units, all franchised. The number of company-owned units is not disclosed. The system has seen 500% year-over-year unit growth.
The procurement model is not disclosed in the most recent FDD. Item 8, which typically outlines designated or approved supplier requirements, provided no extract.
The initial franchise term length and Item 17 renewal signals are not disclosed in the 2023 FDD, making it difficult to predict standard contract windows.
The FDD was filed with state franchise regulators in 2023. You can read the full document using the embedded PDF viewer below.
Source
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FDD alert
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We’ll email you the moment Skill Samurai files a new annual FDD, usually the freshest signal of a vendor change.
Operator footprint
Who runs the locations
7 operators run 8 mapped locations. 1 of them are multi-unit. Aggregate counts from the filing; no names.
Operators by units owned
Single-unit6
2–9 units1
Top states by locations
| WA | 2 |
|---|---|
| NY | 1 |
| SD | 1 |
| MI | 1 |
| IN | 1 |
Related Youth services brands
Primary franchise filings · updated June 2026. Every figure is source-traceable and QA-checked.