Under what conditions 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 Antioch Pizza Shop's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees have limited ability to choose their own suppliers. To maintain uniformity, quality, and brand integrity, franchisees must purchase all "Proprietary Products" either from Antioch Pizza Shop itself or from a supplier that Antioch Pizza Shop has specifically designated. These Proprietary Products include ingredients, products, equipment, and merchandise that incorporate secret recipes, trade secrets, or other confidential information. Examples of Proprietary Products are 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.
This means a franchisee cannot substitute any other product for a Proprietary Product. Antioch Pizza Shop retains the right to designate itself or other suppliers as the sole source for these Proprietary Products.
Furthermore, all articles used in the dispensing and sale of food products, as well as in displaying merchandise, such as containers, cartons, bags, menus, napkins, packaging, point-of-sale advertising, and promotional materials, must be approved by Antioch Pizza Shop regarding quality and design. These items must also bear trademarks, logos, or slogans approved by Antioch Pizza Shop. This requirement further restricts a franchisee's ability to choose suppliers independently, as Antioch Pizza Shop maintains control over branding and quality standards.