Building Kids Worldwide Franchise Owners May Establish a Franchisee Association

Recent developments have left franchisees worried and uncertain about their futures. To advocate for greater transparency and involvement in critical decisions, Building Kids Worldwide franchisees are researching the development of an independent franchisee association to represent their shared interests. by Sean Kelly

[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE] Lancaster, PA – Consulting firm Relentless, Inc., publisher of the UnhappyFranchisee.Com watchdog website UnhappyFranchisee.Com, has been retained to explore the process and options of forming a Building Kidz Worldwide independent franchisee association (Building Trust Independent Franchisee Association).

According to Relentless, Inc. President Sean Kelly, the goal for an independent franchisee association for the growing, 50+ child-care chain is two-fold: transparency and representation.

“Founders and management early-stage franchise chain have a daunting job. With the many decisions they face on a daily basis, it’s easy to overlook the importance of both keeping their franchisees informed and involving them in strategic decisions,” said Kelly.

“Especially for those with an authoritative leadership style, it’s easy to forget that franchisees are major stakeholders and their cooperation and involvement is critical to the company’s success,” says Kelly.

A Wrongful Death Lawsuit Has Franchisees Worried

2025 was a tumultuous year for the growing chain. It left Building Kidz franchisees uncertain how recent events will affect their livelihoods.

On April 15, 2025, a 2-year old toddler under the care of the affiliate-owned Building Kidz child care facility in Dublin, CA was found non-responsive after nap-time. Tragically, the boy was pronounced dead at a local hospital a short time later.

While the school has been exonerated of negligence or neglect by the State of California, according to a Building Kidz School representative, the tragedy was deeply felt in the community and throughout the Building Kidz network.

In late October, the toddler’s parents filed a wrongful death suit against Building Kidz of Dublin, the franchisor and related companies – Building Kidz, Inc.; Building Kidz Worldwide, LLC; Building Kidz Properties, LLC; Brilliant Minds Academy and Brilliant Minds Investments, LLC.

The franchisor reportedly hasn’t adequately addressed questions of its financial health, and how the wrongful death lawsuit could impact it.

Private Equity Developments & How It Will Affect Franchisees

Months ago, the franchisor announced that it was entering a “partnership” with a private equity firm, but did not disclose terms of the deal or details regarding the potential impact on franchisees. Building Kidz franchisees had no prior knowledge or chance to give input into the company’s strategic plan.

Franchisees report that they’ve received no further details nor updates. They have no idea whether the deal went through or what it might mean to their future.

According to Tex Vertongen, the Building Kidz franchisee who is spearheading the research project, “Building Kidz franchisees have tied their futures to the Building Kidz brands. An independent franchisee association would give us the means to be kept in up to speed on developments that affect our livelihoods and our families’ futures.”

Vertongen points out that Building Kids Worldwide franchisees have 15-year agreements assuring them promised services and support for contracted systems, services and support critical to their continued success.” At the very least, we should be kept informed about plans and developments that could affect the franchisor’s ability to fulfill its obligations. Even better would to be able to give input into decisions that affect us all.”

An Independent Franchise Association Can Ask Hard Questions Individual Franchisees Cannot

Not having received updates or details or current status reports from Sanjay Gehani or Vineeta Bhandari, franchisees have been forced to seek answers on the Internet and from filings with state franchise registrations, including the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.

The Building Kidz Worldwide Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and state franchise registrations were last amended October 1, 2025. The current Building Kidz Worldwide FDD does not disclose the wrongful death lawsuit, potential changes in ownership or private equity affiliation, as may be required.

Vertongen states: “Enforcement actions from state regulators for not updating & disclosing material changes would cause more bad publicity that affects us all.”

“Building Kidz franchisees have their families’ futures invested. We took the risk. We built the schools and the brand. We operate them on a daily basis across the country,”

“We hope the franchisor will see their franchisees as a nationwide brain trust of experienced professionals dedicated and invested in the brand,” he said. “I envision a strong independent franchisee association that would represent not only franchisee interests, but advocate for the enduring strength of the Building Kidz brand.”

MEDIA CONTACT:

Building Trust Independent Franchisee Association

c/o Sean Kelly, Relentless, Inc.

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Tags: Building Kidz Worldwide, Building Kidz franchise, Building Kids Schools, daycare franchise, education franchise, early learning franchise, IFPG, Frannet, Vineeta Bhandari, Sanjay Gehani, Sangeet Karamchandani, Tex Vertongen

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