In what capacity does All County act in its relationship with an alternative supplier that an All County franchisee proposes and All County approves?
All_County Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We may prescribe procedures for the submission of requests for approval and impose obligations on approved suppliers, which will be incorporated in a written license agreement with the supplier. We may obtain from you and/or the approved supplier's reimbursement of our reasonable costs and expenses incurred in the approval process and on-going monitoring of the supplier's compliance with our requirements. We do not act as an agent, representative or in any other intermediary or fiduciary capacity for you in our relationship with an alternative supplier you propose and we approve. We may impose limits on the number of approved suppliers. We have the right to monitor the quality of goods or services provided by approved suppliers in a manner we deem appropriate and may terminate any supplier who does not meet our quality standards and specifications, as may be periodically in effect. We may disapprove any supplier whom we previously approved, and you may not, after receipt of notice of disapproval, reorder from any supplier we have disapproved.
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, All County does not act as an agent, representative, or in any fiduciary capacity for the franchisee in its relationship with an alternative supplier that the franchisee proposes and All County approves.
All County may prescribe procedures for the submission of requests for approval and impose obligations on approved suppliers, which will be incorporated in a written license agreement with the supplier. All County may also obtain reimbursement from the franchisee or the approved supplier for reasonable costs and expenses incurred during the approval process and ongoing monitoring of the supplier's compliance with All County's requirements. All County may also impose limits on the number of approved suppliers and monitor the quality of goods or services provided by approved suppliers, terminating any supplier who does not meet their quality standards and specifications.
This means that while All County retains the right to approve or disapprove suppliers to maintain quality and standards within the franchise system, the franchisee is ultimately responsible for their dealings with the approved supplier. All County's role is limited to ensuring compliance with their standards and protecting their brand, rather than acting as an intermediary or advocate for the franchisee. This arrangement is fairly typical in franchising, where franchisors need to balance quality control with franchisee autonomy.