What is the basis for All County's formulation and modification of specifications and standards imposed on franchisees and suppliers?
All_County Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We formulate and modify, at our sole business judgment, specifications and standards we impose on Franchisees and suppliers. Specifications and standards are issued to Franchisees through our Operations Manual and to suppliers by written agreement.
Approved suppliers and specifications are determined based on the current needs for operating the Franchise Business. We evaluate approved suppliers based on price, service, quality, and other commercially reasonable benchmarks. The identity of approved suppliers and these specifications are updated periodically in writing by modifying the appropriate sections of the Operations Manual. We will send you modified sections by updating our web site, through the United States mail, or by any other commercially reasonable means.
We have procedures in our Operations Manual for approving vendors and suppliers you propose. It takes up to 90 days to evaluate new vendors or suppliers. We may approve or disapprove any supplier, and we may approve a supplier conditionally, provided however, that approval will not be unreasonably withheld. If you propose to use any brand and/or supplier that is not then approved by us, then you must first notify us in writing. You must submit sufficient information, specifications and samples concerning the brand and/or supplier so that we can decide whether the brand complies with our specifications and standards and/or such supplier meets our approved supplier criteria. In evaluating any supplier you propose, we will, subject to reasonable restrictions and conditions to protect our trade secrets and confidential information, disclose to the proposed supplier applicable standards, specifications, processes, and procedures for the item in sufficient detail to enable the proposed supplier to demonstrate fully its capacity and capabilities to supply the items. Within 90 days after we receive all requested information, we will communicate to you in writing our decision to approve or disapprove your proposed supplier.
Source: Item 8 — Restrictions on Sources of Products and Services (FDD pages 16–19)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to All County's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the company formulates and modifies specifications and standards imposed on franchisees and suppliers at its sole business judgment. These specifications and standards are communicated to franchisees through the All County Operations Manual and to suppliers via written agreements.
The FDD also states that approved suppliers and specifications are determined based on the current needs for operating the Franchise Business. All County evaluates approved suppliers based on price, service, quality, and other commercially reasonable benchmarks. The identity of approved suppliers and these specifications are updated periodically in writing by modifying the appropriate sections of the Operations Manual. All County will send franchisees modified sections by updating their web site, through the United States mail, or by any other commercially reasonable means.
All County has procedures in place for franchisees to propose new vendors and suppliers, with an evaluation period of up to 90 days. While All County may approve or disapprove any supplier, approval will not be unreasonably withheld. If a franchisee proposes a non-approved brand or supplier, they must provide sufficient information, specifications, and samples for All County to assess compliance with their standards and criteria. All County will disclose applicable standards, specifications, processes, and procedures to the proposed supplier to enable them to demonstrate their capabilities fully, subject to reasonable restrictions to protect trade secrets and confidential information. All County will communicate its decision to the franchisee in writing within 90 days after receiving all requested information.