How long does All Team have to advise an All Team franchisee whether unapproved goods meet All Team's specifications?
All_Team Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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. The foregoing shall not be construed as an attempt to unreasonably limit the sources from which FRANCHISEE may procure its products, services, supplies and materials. Rather, it is the intention of ATFC that such items conform to ATFC's strict standards and strict specifications as to consistent quality, uniformity and reliability. Further, ATFC shall not be required to approve an inordinate number of suppliers of a given item which in the reasonable judgment of ATFC would prevent effective supervision of suppliers by ATFC.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 15–16)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to All Team's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee wants to use products from suppliers not designated by All Team, the franchisee may be required to submit samples to All Team for testing. All Team may charge a fee for testing, not to exceed the actual cost of the test, or the franchisee may be required to use an independent testing laboratory designated by All Team. All Team is then required to advise the franchisee within a reasonable period of time whether the alternative products, services, supplies, materials, and equipment are approved or not.
It is important to note that All Team maintains strict standards and specifications regarding the consistent quality, uniformity, and reliability of all products used in the franchise. All Team also retains the right to limit the number of approved suppliers for a given item if an excessive number would prevent effective supervision of those suppliers by All Team.
For a prospective All Team franchisee, this means that while you are not necessarily locked into using only All Team's designated suppliers, the process of getting alternative suppliers approved can take time and may involve costs for testing. The definition of "reasonable period of time" is not defined in the FDD, so a prospective franchisee should clarify this with All Team.