From the filings

+380% units YoYHQ-led decisions

The Back Nine

Full service restaurant

Software and simulator purchasing at The Back Nine runs through corporate: Item 7 obliges every location to use Full Swing Golf simulators, and Item 11 requires QuickBooks Online for accounting. The system has grown to 124 units, up 380% year over year, and sits inside The Golf Studio ownership group.

For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.

Live signals

Total units
124
120 franchised
Unit growth YoY
+380%
vs prior filing
AUV
Item 19, 2026
Royalty
8%
of gross sales
Ad fund
5%
national + local
Initial fee
$50K
per unit
Investment range
$307K–$689K
all-in, Item 7
Procurement
Approved supplier
from the filing
Non-compete
2 years
from the filing
Item 19
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.

13%of gross sales (FY2026)

Ongoing fees: 13% of gross sales (FY2026)Royalty 8%, Ad fund 5%. Total 13% of gross sales. Drawn against a 15% reference scale.

15% reference

Royalty 8%Ad fund 5%

Mandated & recommended tech

The systems vendors compete with

2 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.

Full Swing GolfFull Swing Golf
Mandatory
Industry softwareItem 7

lord Signage $5,000 $15,000 As required by Before Suppliers suppliers opening Equipment4 $156,050 $251,000 As required by Before Suppliers, suppliers opening Designated Suppliers, Full Swing, Kisi, SQ

QuickBooks OnlineIntuit
Mandatory
AccountingItem 11

lish and maintain a bookkeeping and accounting system which conforms to our standards and specifications as described in the Operations Manual. We currently require you to utilize QuickBooks online an

FacebookMeta
MarketingItem 11

s for internet and social media advertising at times and using platforms and services we deem to be in the best interest of our franchisees and our franchise system. This includes Facebook, Instagram,

InstagramMeta
MarketingItem 11

rnet and social media advertising at times and using platforms and services we deem to be in the best interest of our franchisees and our franchise system. This includes Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitte

LinkedInLinkedIn
MarketingItem 11

at times and using platforms and services we deem to be in the best interest of our franchisees and our franchise system. This includes Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), Bluesky, LinkedIn, YouTube, Th

PayrixPayrix
PaymentsItem 11

al Media 1 hour 0 hours Virtual and HQ in Washington, UT Website 1 hour 0 hours Virtual and HQ in Washington, UT Troubleshooting 0.5 hours 0 hours Virtual and HQ in Washington, UT Payrix Payments 0.5

QuickBooksIntuit
AccountingItem 11

s Manual. We currently require you to utilize QuickBooks online and our primary website for all bookkeeping, accounting, and reporting. You will be required to create and maintain Quickbooks for accou

TwitterX
MarketingItem 11

l media advertising at times and using platforms and services we deem to be in the best interest of our franchisees and our franchise system. This includes Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), Bluesky, L

YouTubeGoogle
MarketingItem 11

and using platforms and services we deem to be in the best interest of our franchisees and our franchise system. This includes Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), Bluesky, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, Ti

Franchisor behaviours

What the franchisor requires

25 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 3 explicit no's; 6 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?

Yes

Item 11

We currently require you to utilize QuickBooks online and our primary website for all bookkeeping, accounting, and reporting.

Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?

Yes

Item 11

We will have independent access to the information that will be generated and stored in your integrated information system.

Must the franchisee submit periodic financial statements (monthly, quarterly or annual) to the franchisor?

Yes

Item 6

You will deliver to us, as outlined in the Operations Manual, an itemized report of your Gross Revenues for the preceding month.

How the franchisor buys

Is the franchisor or an affiliate itself a supplier of required products, services or systems?

Yes

Franchise agreement

Franchisee acknowledges that (i) Franchisor or Franchisor’s affiliate(s) may be the sole approved supplier(s) of certain products and services that Franchisee is required to purchase to operate the Franchised Business

Does the franchisor reserve the right to change designated suppliers or systems at any time?

Yes

Item 8

We reserve the right to revoke approval of any item or supplier that does not continue to meet our then-current standards upon written notice to you.

How much revenue did the franchisor and its affiliates earn from franchisee purchases in the last fiscal year?

1222682

Item 8

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, we received a total of $1,222,682 in revenue from required purchases, or 19.6% of our total revenue.

Does the franchisor or an affiliate receive rebates, commissions or other revenue from designated or approved suppliers?

Yes

Item 8

We have the right to collect and retain any and all allowances, rebates, credits, incentives, or benefits (collectively, “Allowances”) offered by manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors to you, to us, or to our affiliate, based upon your purchases of products (including proprietary products) and services from…

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?

85

Item 8

We estimate that your purchase or lease of products, supplies and services from approved suppliers (or those which meet our specifications) will represent approximately 85% - 95% of your costs to establish your Franchised Business and approximately 85% - 95% of your costs for ongoing operation.

Does the franchisor charge a fee to evaluate a proposed supplier?

Yes

Item 8

If you request that we approve a proposed item or supplier, we reserve the right to charge an evaluation fee equal to our actual out-of- pocket expenses and actual costs we incur, not to exceed $2,500 per product or source.

Can a franchisee propose a new supplier for the franchisor's approval?

Yes

Item 8

If you would like us to consider another item or supplier, you must make such request in writing to us and have the supplier give us samples of its product or service and such other information that we may require.

Communications

Does the franchisor own or control the business telephone numbers, or take them over when the agreement ends?

Yes

Franchise agreement

The Franchisee acknowledges that, as between the Franchisee and the Franchisor, the Franchisor has the sole rights to and interest in all telephone, telecopy or facsimile machine numbers and directory listings associated with any Mark.

Franchise management

Does the franchisor conduct periodic inspections, audits or evaluations of the franchised business?

Yes

Item 11

Inspect the Franchise and conduct activities to ensure compliance with the terms of the Franchise Agreement and Operations Manual to assure consistent quality and service throughout our franchise system.

Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?

Yes

Franchise agreement

The Franchisor reserves the right to make revisions to the Operations Manual

Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?

Yes

Item 11

You may not sign a lease or purchase a site unless we have provided our approval of the site.

Marketing

Is the franchisee prohibited from operating its own website or social media accounts, or required to use pages the franchisor provides?

Yes

Franchise agreement

Franchisee shall refrain from creating a separate website and/or social media accounts and shall work with Franchisor to assure that Franchisee’s location may be advertised through the main BACK NINE website and social media accounts.

Is a minimum grand opening advertising spend required?

Yes

Item 7

This is your required ad spend amount during the last 60 days preceding opening, and first 30 days of operation after opening to ensure you have an effective launch.

Operations

Must the franchisee buy products from a designated distributor?

Yes

Item 8

You must purchase The Back Nine FDD 2026 A 17 all equipment, fixtures, inventory, supplies and services from our designated suppliers, approved suppliers and contractors or in accordance with our specifications.

Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?

Yes

Item 8

You must purchase The Back Nine FDD 2026 A 17 all equipment, fixtures, inventory, supplies and services from our designated suppliers, approved suppliers and contractors or in accordance with our specifications.

Payments

Are royalties and other fees collected by automatic bank debit (ACH or electronic funds transfer) from the franchisee's account?

Yes

Franchise agreement

The Franchisor also reserves the right to require that Royalty payments and Brand Marketing Fund contributions be made by means of electronic funds transfer and the Franchisee agrees to provide the information and sign the documents necessary to implement such transfer payments within thirty (30) days of receiving…

People

Must employees wear uniforms specified by the franchisor?

Yes

Franchise agreement

The Franchisor will make available to the Franchisee standards and specifications for products and services offered at or through THE BACK NINE Store and specifically, for the equipment used, food and/or beverage sold in the space, electronics, display cases, uniforms, materials, forms, menu boards, items and…

Point of sale

Must the franchisee use a specific point-of-sale system designated or approved by the franchisor?

Yes

Franchise agreement

The Franchisee shall equip the Store with an integrated store information system currently being used by Franchisor, including Franchisor’s current website, tee time booking system, payment processor and social media pages, computer systems (including hardware, software and point of sale system (“POS System”))…

Does the franchisor have independent access to the data in the franchisee's POS or computer system?

Yes

Item 11

We will have independent access to the information that will be generated and stored in your integrated information system.

Sales and CRM

Must the franchisee use a CRM system designated or approved by the franchisor?

Yes

Item 8

We have a mandatory supplier for your CRM software, which is primarily set up by us and is a custom and fully integrated to B9 software, as listed in our operations manual.

Training

Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?

Yes

Item 11

We may charge a reasonable training fee for these additional training sessions.

Is attendance at an annual convention or conference mandatory for the franchisee?

Yes

Item 11

Each year, usually in conjunction with our annual convention, you or the designated managers of your Franchise will be required to attend up to 12 to 16 hours of programs and seminars, depending upon program and seminar availability.

The filing answers no to 3 questions
  • Is there a franchisee advisory council, association or committee?Item 11
  • Is the franchisee required to spend a minimum amount on local advertising or marketing, as a percentage of sales or a fixed amount?Item 11
  • Must the franchisee participate in a regional advertising cooperative when one exists?Item 11

The vendor opportunity at The Back Nine The Back Nine runs 124 units nationwide, 120 franchised and 4 company-owned, in the full-service restaurant segment, with unit count up 380% year over year in the 2026 FDD. The system is part of The Golf Studio ownership group.

Who controls software purchasing Item 2 names Wil Bangerter as Founder and CEO, Brady Carlsen as Chief Operating Officer, and Darren Wilstead as Director of Franchise Sales — the team above any location-level buying.

Tech named in the FDD, and what is actually required Item 7 makes Full Swing Golf simulator technology mandatory. Item 11 requires QuickBooks Online for accounting. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Payrix, QuickBooks, and Twitter by X are named in Item 11 without any purchase requirement attached.

Procurement, renewals, and timing Item 8 sets an approved-supplier list: franchisees must buy equipment, fixtures, inventory, and services from designated or approved suppliers, or according to franchisor specifications, with alternates subject to the franchisor's sole discretion. Franchisees may propose an alternate supplier for approval. The initial term is 10 years, with up to three additional 5-year renewal terms, a $5,000 renewal fee, and retraining. The FDD makes a financial performance representation, and the 380% year-over-year unit growth points to a fast-expanding pipeline of new locations.

How to read The Back Nine FDD The full 2026 disclosure document is embedded below via the PDF viewer, filed with state franchise regulators. For a ranked list of franchise systems that fit your product better than this one, talk to FranCloud.

Questions vendors ask

The Back Nine, answered from the filing

Founder and CEO Wil Bangerter and COO Brady Carlsen lead the officer team named in Item 2, with Darren Wilstead as Director of Franchise Sales handling new-unit relationships where the Full Swing Golf and QuickBooks Online mandates get set.
Item 7 requires Full Swing Golf simulator technology; Item 11 requires QuickBooks Online. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Payrix, QuickBooks, and Twitter by X are named in Item 11 without a purchase requirement.
124 total units, 120 franchised and 4 company-owned, in the full-service restaurant segment, per the 2026 FDD. Unit count grew 380% year over year.
Item 8 sets an approved-supplier list: franchisees must buy equipment, fixtures, inventory, and services from designated or approved suppliers, or in line with franchisor specifications. Franchisees may propose an alternate supplier for approval.
The initial term runs 10 years, with up to three additional 5-year renewal terms, a $5,000 renewal fee, and retraining required each cycle. The 380% unit-count surge points to a fast-growing pipeline of new locations.
The embedded PDF viewer below carries the full document, filed with state franchise regulators in 2026.
Source

Read the filing itself

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The Back Nine2026 FDDView only

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The brands you can actually sell into, from the filings.

Operator footprint

Who runs the locations

362 operators run 374 mapped locations. 8 of them are multi-unit. Aggregate counts from the filing; no names.

Operators by units owned

Single-unit354
2–9 units8

Top states by locations

TX58
FL30
AZ21
NJ19
GA18

Ownership

The portfolio behind The Back Nine

unknown of the golf studio.

Related Full service restaurant brands

Primary franchise filings · updated September 2026. Every figure is source-traceable and QA-checked.