What is the basis for Annex Brands' recommendations for the amounts of equipment, supplies, and services I should purchase?
Annex_Brands Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must purchase or lease equipment, supplies (including packaging materials, labels and forms), services (such as FedEx, UPS and DHL shipping services), furniture, interior and exterior signage, computer hardware, and software programs and licenses, in accordance with our
specifications. Also, you must purchase or lease these items in amounts that we recommend, based on our experience in the business, and to provide you proper planning, training and record keeping. Except as otherwise stated in this disclosure document, in our Manuals, in writing or otherwise, you may purchase or lease these items from any source. There are no approved suppliers in which any of our officers owns an interest.
Source: Item 8 — Restrictions on Sources of Products and Services (FDD pages 39–43)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Annex Brands' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must purchase or lease equipment, supplies, and services in accordance with Annex Brands' specifications. These items include packaging materials, labels, forms, shipping services (such as FedEx, UPS, and DHL), furniture, interior and exterior signage, computer hardware, and software programs and licenses. Annex Brands bases its recommendations for the amounts of these purchases or leases on their experience in the business, which they believe will provide franchisees with proper planning, training, and record keeping.
Except where otherwise stated in the FDD, manuals, or in writing, franchisees can generally purchase or lease these items from any source. However, Annex Brands is the only approved supplier for certain items, such as the PostalMate POS network software, related updates, and the equipment package for the retail center, which includes fixtures, mailboxes, package lockers, and flooring. Similarly, ScreenCloud Limited and Amazon.com, Inc. are the sole approved suppliers for the ScreenCloud web-based software and the device needed for the in-Center TV marketing program, respectively. Annex Brands is also the only approved supplier for their web-based financial training portal, licensed from Profit Soup LLC.
Annex Brands maintains a list of approved suppliers in its manuals, which may be modified with reasonable written notice. The approval of suppliers is based on criteria outlined in the manuals, as well as inspections and performance reviews. If a supplier fails to meet Annex Brands' specifications, they will be notified and given a 30-day window to correct the deficiency or risk termination as an approved supplier. Franchisees can request approval of additional suppliers in writing, and Annex Brands will provide a decision within 60 days, based on the vendor's prices, quality, and ability to meet their standards.