What system must Aplus franchisees maintain for each fill box on an 'as needed basis'?
Aplus Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
ice designated by us, within ninety (90) days following the Commencement Date, in accordance with our then-current standards. Thereafter, during the term of this Agreement you are required to cooperate with an annual physical inventory audit. If for any reason the inventory audit is cancelled or postponed by you without notice, as described in the Manual, you must reimburse us for the cost of the inventory audit. Sunoco shall make an inventory service available to perform the inventories. You agree and acknowledge that:
- 13.15.1.You are solely responsible for verifying that the inventory results appear reasonable.
- 13.15.2.While inventories are required as scheduled above, Sunoco recommends that you have the inventory performed as needed or on a quarterly basis as a management control.
- 13.15.3.Sunoco reserves the right to utilize their internal inventory service department to perform the annual physical inventory service upon thirty (30) days' notice.
- 13.15.4.In the event you dispute the results of any inventory taken by the inventory service selected by Sunoco, you may request that a second inventory be taken. If the results of the second inventory show that: (a) the first inventory was correct, you shall be responsible for the costs incurred in taking the second inventory; (b) the first inventory was incorrect by more than 2% from the second inventory for the APLUS Store or any section of the APLUS Store, Sunoco shall be responsible for payment of the cost incurred in taking the second inventory.
13.15.5.To assist Sunoco in providing merchandising recommendations to you and summaries of information for the benefit of all APLUS Franchisees, you shall provide to Sunoco such reports and data as are reasonably requested by Sunoco for such purposes and as are more fully described in the Systems Manual.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 68–302)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
Based on the 2024 Aplus Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are responsible for verifying the reasonableness of inventory results. While inventories are required as scheduled, Sunoco, Aplus's parent company, recommends that franchisees perform inventories as needed or on a quarterly basis as a management control.
Sunoco reserves the right to use its internal inventory service to conduct the annual physical inventory with 30 days' notice. If a franchisee disputes the results of an inventory taken by Sunoco's selected service, they can request a second inventory. If the first inventory is deemed correct, the franchisee bears the cost of the second inventory. However, if the first inventory is off by more than 2% from the second inventory for the Aplus store or any section of it, Sunoco will cover the cost of the second inventory.
To help Sunoco provide merchandising recommendations and summaries for all Aplus franchisees, franchisees must provide reports and data as reasonably requested by Sunoco, as detailed in the Systems Manual. Sunoco can charge a $100 fee for a physical inventory review if the franchisee is late, the areas are unorganized, excessive inventory impedes the review, there is an inability to access systems during the review, or if a second inventory confirms the first was correct. This policy ensures inventory accuracy and helps Aplus maintain consistent standards across all franchise locations.