What is the deadline for All County to evaluate new vendors or suppliers?
All_County Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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 has up to 90 days to evaluate new vendors or suppliers proposed by a franchisee. This evaluation period begins once All County receives all the necessary information, specifications, and samples related to the proposed vendor or supplier. All County will then communicate its decision in writing, either approving or disapproving the proposed vendor.
This 90-day evaluation period is a crucial consideration for prospective All County franchisees. If a franchisee wishes to use a supplier not already approved by All County, they must factor in this waiting period. This could potentially delay the start of operations or require the franchisee to use approved suppliers, even if they believe a different supplier could offer better pricing or service. All County does state that approval will not be unreasonably withheld.
All County's evaluation process includes disclosing applicable standards, specifications, processes, and procedures to the proposed supplier, subject to reasonable restrictions to protect trade secrets and confidential information. This transparency aims to enable the proposed supplier to demonstrate their capacity and capabilities fully. The franchisee may be required to cover the costs associated with the approval process and ongoing monitoring of the supplier's compliance.
It is important for prospective franchisees to understand the implications of these restrictions and the approval process for new suppliers. While All County aims to ensure quality and consistency across its franchises, franchisees should assess whether these restrictions align with their business strategies and operational needs. Franchisees should discuss with All County what specific criteria are used to evaluate suppliers and what recourse they have if a proposed supplier is disapproved.