Will All County unreasonably withhold approval of a proposed supplier?
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, All County has procedures in place for approving new vendors and suppliers proposed by franchisees. The evaluation process can take up to 90 days. While All County retains the right to approve or disapprove any supplier, including conditional approvals, the document explicitly states that approval will not be unreasonably withheld.
To propose a new supplier, franchisees must notify All County in writing and submit sufficient information, specifications, and samples for All County to assess compliance with their standards and criteria. All County is obligated, with reasonable restrictions to protect trade secrets and confidential information, to disclose applicable standards, specifications, processes, and procedures to the proposed supplier, enabling them to demonstrate their capabilities.
Within 90 days of receiving all the necessary information, All County will communicate its decision in writing to the franchisee. This process ensures that franchisees have the opportunity to suggest alternative suppliers while also providing All County with the means to maintain quality control and protect its brand standards. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, allowing franchisors to maintain consistency while considering franchisee input.