What APLUS programs are franchisees required to participate in?
Aplus Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
We require you to participate in the following APLUS Programs and provide such products or services accordingly and in accordance with our Systems Manual.
- Hot Dispensed Beverages Program,
- Cold Dispensed Beverages Program,
- Food and Food Service Program
- Prepaid Program (i.e. prepaid phone cards and similar products),
- ATM Program (unless otherwise restricted), and
- All other promotional offers or special pricing programs or other programs we may designate.
Required APLUS Programs Requiring State Agency Licenses
We also require you to participate in the following state agency licensed programs (unless prohibited by regulation or statute) and provide such products or services accordingly and in accordance with our Systems Manual.
- Beer and Wine Program,
- Tobacco Products and Tobacco Compliance Program, and
- Lottery/Lotto/Multi-State Program
Other APLUS Programs
The Customer Best Program has been developed to ensure a consistently positive customer buying experience among all APLUS retailers. This will be executed via scheduled mystery shops and/or customer surveys, which will be used as a tool to help improve the APLUS brand image, ensure a consistently positive customer buying experience among all APLUS retailers and provide improved communications between APLUS and franchisees. We reserve the right to charge a fee for this service.
We have developed certain other proprietary programs to provide offerings to APLUS consumers. You may participate in the Air and Vacuum Program. You are required to fully participate in any program, or other specific merchandise programs, designated by us from time to time as described in the Systems Manual, which may include, but is not limited to, proprietary programs, specific product offerings and/or promotions (such as foods and beverages identified by us), approved prepaid programs such as gift cards, phone cards, and other related telecommunications products, ATM program, and APLUS rewards and/or loyalty program, which may change periodically (collectively, "Proprietary Programs"). We will work with you in determining whether any such Proprietary Programs are appropriate for your store. If so, you agree to purchase all ingredients, materials and items required for each Proprietary Program from Sunoco's Designated Specific Suppliers.
We reserve the right to amend, supplement or discontinue any program described in this Item 8 in whole or in part at any time during the term of the franchise upon written notice to you.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS & SERVICES (FDD pages 33–37)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Aplus's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to participate in several Aplus programs. These include the Hot Dispensed Beverages Program, Cold Dispensed Beverages Program, Food and Food Service Program, Prepaid Program (such as prepaid phone cards), and the ATM Program (unless restricted). Franchisees must also participate in all other promotional offers, special pricing programs, or other programs designated by Aplus.
Additionally, Aplus requires participation in state agency licensed programs, assuming they are not prohibited by regulation or statute. These programs are the Beer and Wine Program, Tobacco Products and Tobacco Compliance Program, and Lottery/Lotto/Multi-State Program. These programs require franchisees to provide the corresponding products or services in accordance with the Aplus Systems Manual.
Aplus also has the Customer Best Program, which aims to ensure a positive customer experience through mystery shops and customer surveys. While participation in the Customer Best Program is not explicitly stated as required in the quoted text, Aplus reserves the right to charge a fee for this service. Furthermore, franchisees are required to fully participate in any program or specific merchandise programs designated by Aplus from time to time, which may include proprietary programs, specific product offerings, approved prepaid programs, the ATM program, and the Aplus rewards or loyalty program. Aplus will work with franchisees to determine if these Proprietary Programs are appropriate for their store, and if so, franchisees must purchase all necessary ingredients and materials from Sunoco's Designated Specific Suppliers.
It is important to note that Aplus retains the right to amend, supplement, or discontinue any of these programs, in whole or in part, at any time during the franchise term, provided they give written notice to the franchisee. This flexibility allows Aplus to adapt its offerings and requirements based on market conditions and other factors, which could impact a franchisee's operations and profitability.