What is the dependency between the office equipment used by an All Team franchisee and ATFC's approval?
All_Team Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
FRANCHISEE shall maintain and establish an office within the Area in a safe, orderly and clean state, presenting a businesslike appearance. The office shall be properly staffed (as sound business practices dictate), furnished, and equipped. The office shall be equipped with an appropriate computer equipment, telephone system and facsimile machine that are approved by ATFC. FRANCHISEE shall maintain a telephone number to be used by FRANCHISEE exclusively for the business conducted herein. FRANCHISEE shall utilize the ATFC/ATS email system and related addresses for all business communications. FRANCHISEE's office shall be open for business during normal business hours prevailing in the community where located, but not less than thirty-five (35) hours each week (except for holidays observed in FRANCHISEE's community).
XIII. SOURCES OF PRODUCTS
FRANCHISEE shall purchase and/or lease all products, services, supplies, computer software and hardware, equipment and materials required for the operation of the business from manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors designated by ATFC, or from other suppliers who meet ATFC's specifications and are able to provide products and equipment in accordance with the standards as to quality, appearance and service, and who adequately demonstrate their ability to supply the franchise needs in a timely and reliable manner. Specification of a supplier may be conditioned on requirements relating to, among other things, frequency of delivery, standards of services, including prompt attention to complaints, as well as payments, contributions, or other consideration to ATFC or its affiliates, any advertising fund and/or otherwise, and may be temporary, in each case in ATFC's reasonable discretion. ATFC may, from time-to-time withhold, condition and/or revoke ATFC's approval of particular items or suppliers in its reasonable discretion. ATFC or its affiliates may receive rebates, commissions, promotional allowances and other benefits from suppliers in relation to items purchased by FRANCHISEE and other franchisees. ATFC has the right to condition or revoke Franchisee's right to participate in any supplier programs if FRANCHISEE is in default under this Agreement.
ATFC may require that samples from other suppliers of any products to be used by FRANCHISEE be delivered to ATFC for testing prior to approval and use. A charge not to exceed the actual cost of the test may be made by ATFC or by an independent testing laboratory designated by ATFC and shall be paid by FRANCHISEE. ATFC shall advise FRANCHISEE within a reasonable period of time of its approval or disapproval of alternate sources of products, services, supplies, suppliers, materials and equipment.
N. Computer Hardware and Software Requirements. FRANCHISEE shall equip the office with office equipment, and computer equipment and use the computer software as required in the Confidential Operations Manual and which may be changed or modified from time to time. FRANCHISEE must lease and maintain the required proprietary software from the supplier approved by ATFC. Currently FRANCHISEE must obtain the right to use the Software from ATFC and this Software will be hosted on ATFC's servers. FRANCHISEE acknowledges and understands that in the future, and from time to time, FRANCHISEE may be required to upgrade or purchase or lease new computer hardware and software at FRANCHISEE's expense.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 33–34)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to All Team's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee's choice of office equipment is subject to the approval of ATFC. Specifically, the franchisee must equip their office with computer equipment, a telephone system, and a facsimile machine that have been approved by All Team.
All Team also has the right to approve the decoration, organization, and furnishings of the franchisee's office. All Team can also require the franchisee to relocate and redecorate the office if it is reasonably necessary to comply with what All Team believes is consistent with the professional image they are trying to project and prudent business practices. The franchisee is obligated to maintain an office that presents a businesslike appearance and is safe, orderly, and clean.
Furthermore, franchisees must purchase or lease all products, services, supplies, computer software and hardware, equipment, and materials from manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors designated by All Team, or from other suppliers who meet All Team's specifications. All Team may require samples from other suppliers for testing before approval and use, with the franchisee bearing the cost of testing. All Team also has the right to change the software at any time and may require the franchisee to upgrade or purchase or lease new computer hardware and software at the franchisee's expense.