Under what condition can an Antioch Pizza Shop franchisee select their own suppliers?
Antioch_Pizza_Shop Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (a) Inventory and Supply Specifications. To promote uniformity and quality, and to protect the integrity of the Marks, Franchisee agrees to the following restrictions regarding inventory, supplies and products, as follows:
- (i) Proprietary Products. Franchisor has developed certain ingredients, products, equipment and merchandise using or incorporating secret recipes or other trade secrets or information (the "Proprietary Products"). For example, these products may consist of pizza dough and sauces, frozen pizzas, hand-made sandwiches, desserts and additional food items, dough rollers, cheese graters and other equipment, cookbooks and other promotional products, and shall include those developed in the future and authorized for use in Antioch Pizza Shop™ restaurants. Franchisee agrees to purchase all Proprietary Products only from Franchisor, or a supplier designated by Franchisor, and in no event will Franchisee alter or attempt to substitute any other product for any Proprietary Product. Franchisee will only use or distribute Proprietary Products in connection with the operation of the Restaurant and any other franchise which Franchisor may grant to Franchisee. Franchisor expressly reserves the right to designate suppliers, or itself to be the sole supplier, of all or any of the Proprietary Products.
- (ii) Advertising and Materials or Supplies Using the Marks. In the dispensing and sale of food products, and in displaying products and merchandise to be sold by Franchisee,
all articles such as containers, cartons, bags, menus, napkins and other paper goods, packaging, point of sale advertising and promotional materials and products, shall be subject to approval by Franchisor as to quality and design and shall bear trademarks, logos and/or slogans approved by Franchisor.
Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD pages 56–57)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 FDD, an Antioch Pizza Shop franchisee's ability to choose their own suppliers is limited. For "Proprietary Products," which include items like pizza dough, sauces, frozen pizzas, and specific equipment, franchisees are required to purchase exclusively from Antioch Pizza Shop or a supplier that Antioch Pizza Shop designates. Franchisees are explicitly prohibited from substituting any other product for these Proprietary Products.
This restriction is in place to ensure uniformity and quality across all Antioch Pizza Shop locations, as well as to protect the integrity of the brand's trademarks. The franchisor maintains the right to designate or act as the sole supplier for any or all Proprietary Products. This control extends to advertising materials and supplies that use Antioch Pizza Shop's trademarks, logos, and slogans, which must be approved by the franchisor for both quality and design.
In practical terms, this means a franchisee has very little flexibility in sourcing key ingredients and supplies. While the FDD excerpt does not explicitly address non-proprietary items, the overall implication is that Antioch Pizza Shop maintains significant control over the supply chain to maintain consistency. A prospective franchisee should clarify with Antioch Pizza Shop which items are considered "Proprietary Products" and whether there is any opportunity to source other, non-critical supplies independently.