Is it Annex Brands' regular practice to approve substitute contractors?
Annex_Brands Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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You must use a contractor and an architect that we designate in the build-out of your retail center. The contractor will coordinate with the architect, design and plan the premises, interact with local officials for appropriate building approvals, and complete the build-out of the premises (including electrical, painting, equipment package installation for your retail center, and also possibly including interior and exterior signage installation). The architect will design the premises of your retail center according to our specifications and prepare plans that meet local requirements. You may use a substitute licensed contractor if we approve the licensed contractor in advance. It is not our regular practice to approve substitute contractors. The factors we consider to approve or disapprove a substitute contractor are licensing experience, commercial tenant improvement experience, pricing, reputation and scheduling availability. If we approve and you use a substitute contractor, you must pay us a $2,500 construction consultation fee before construction begins. You may not use a substitute architec
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 use a contractor and architect designated by Annex Brands for the build-out of their retail center. However, a franchisee may request to use a substitute licensed contractor, but Annex Brands must approve this contractor in advance.
Annex Brands states that it is not their regular practice to approve substitute contractors. The factors Annex Brands considers when deciding whether to approve a substitute contractor include the contractor's licensing experience, commercial tenant improvement experience, pricing, reputation, and scheduling availability.
If Annex Brands approves a substitute contractor, the franchisee must pay Annex Brands a $2,500 construction consultation fee before construction begins. The franchisee is not permitted to use a substitute architect under any circumstances.