How does Aerus communicate its product, service, or supplier specifications to franchisees and approved suppliers?
Aerus Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Alternative Product, Service, or Supplier Approval Processes**
Our specifications for products, service, or suppliers are generally issued through written communications and are available to franchisees and approved suppliers. To obtain approval of a previously unapproved product, service, or supplier, you must submit a written request and provide additional information which we may request. We may test the product or service as part of our evaluation. We do not impose a fee for product, service, or supplier approval requests. We will have 90 days from the date we receive all of the requested information regarding the proposed product, service, or supplier within which to notify you of our approval or disapproval, which we will provide in writing. We are not obligated to approve any proposed product, service, or supplier. We may base our approval of any proposed product, service, or supplier, on considerations not only relating directly to the item or supplier itself, but also indirectly to the uniformity, efficiency, and quality of operations we deem necessary or desirable in our System as a whole.
Approved Locations and Service and Repair Centers
You must purchase or lease an Approved Location from which to operate your Franchised Business. You must obtain our approval of your proposed location before you sign a purchase or lease agreement. Under your Franchise Agreement, if you lease a location for your Franchised Business, we may require you and your landlord to sign a lease rider, through which your landlord will grant us the right to assume your rights and obligations under the lease if you breach the lease agreement or your Franchise Agreement. A sample lease rider is attached as Exhibit 1 to each Franchise Agreement.
Under the Standard Program, you must maintain a service and repair center (in accordance with the Manuals) in all Approved Locations. Satellites and Licensed Outlets are not required to maintain on-site service and repair centers so long as repair, maintenance and service obligations can be adequately and timely provided from another affiliated Approved Location.
In limited circumstances, under the Associate Program, you may be permitted to outsource repair and maintenance services to another Aerus Business, and avoid establishing a repair, maintenance, and service center in your Approved Location. We must approve your contractual arrangement with the other Aerus Business.
All Approved Locations must be maintained in an attractive, clean, orderly, and sanitary manner, and must be merchandised according to our standards and specifications. All furniture, fixtures, equipment, and displays must be maintained in good order and repair.
Source: Item 8 — Restrictions on Sources of Products and Services (FDD pages 29–33)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aerus's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the company generally issues its specifications for products, services, or suppliers through written communications, which are accessible to both franchisees and approved suppliers. If a franchisee wishes to get a product, service, or supplier approved that hasn't been previously approved, they must submit a written request along with any additional information Aerus may require. Aerus may also test the product or service as part of their evaluation process.
Notably, Aerus does not charge a fee for these product, service, or supplier approval requests. Once Aerus receives all the necessary information, they have 90 days to notify the franchisee of their decision in writing. However, Aerus is not obligated to approve any proposed product, service, or supplier. Aerus may base its approval on factors beyond just the item or supplier itself, considering how it impacts the uniformity, efficiency, and overall quality of operations within the Aerus system.
Aerus also communicates standards and specifications through the Franchise Agreement, the Manuals, and other written documents. These standards can relate to various aspects of the Aerus business, including Products, Product components, spare parts, inventory, supplies, signage, equipment, consignment policies, sales and service policies, and product warranties. Aerus may modify these standards periodically by written notice or through changes in the Manuals.
Prospective franchisees should be aware that they must operate their Aerus business in strict accordance with Aerus's prescribed methods, standards, and specifications. This includes purchasing or leasing and maintaining all Products, parts, fixtures, furnishings, and equipment as specified in the Manuals or in writing. Franchisees must also obtain written consent from Aerus before installing any unauthorized items. Aerus will provide its current standards and specifications for required equipment, supplies, or other products upon written request, as long as the information does not constitute trade secrets.