Does Aunt Millies Bakeries assist in the development of new outlets for distributors?
Aunt_Millies_Bakeries Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- §5.1 DELIVERY AND COOPERATION: AUNT MILLIE'S shall use its best efforts to deliver to DISTRIBUTOR sufficient quantities of the Products to supply Outlets requesting service in the Sales Area, to assist in the development of new Outlets, to pursue the development of new Products, to preserve and develop the quality and marketability of the Products, and to assist and cooperate with DISTRIBUTOR'S sales efforts, except that AUNT MILLIE'S shall not be responsible for failures caused by Force Majeure.
- §5.2 SALES TO CHAINS: In order to enable DISTRIBUTOR to pursue business opportunities with Chains, which may require standard terms for all its outlets, AUNT MILLIE'S agrees to assist DISTRIBUTOR to from time to time arrange Chain account programs, promotions, delivery authorizations and purchasing and billing
terms for the sale of Products to Outlets of a Chain within DISTRIBUTOR's Sales Area. Nothing herein shall be deemed to authorize AUNT MILLIE'S as DISTRIBUTOR's agent or to create an agency relationship. DISTRIBUTOR is not obligated to accept or continue use of AUNT MILLIE'S assistance and may at any time make its own arrangements for terms and prices to its Outlets. Nothing herein shall require either party to pay slotting allowances or other similar fees or charges imposed by the Chains.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 44–196)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aunt Millies Bakeries's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Aunt Millie's Bakeries is obligated to assist in the development of new outlets. Specifically, Aunt Millie's Bakeries is expected to use its best efforts to assist in the development of new Outlets requesting service in the Sales Area.
This support is part of Aunt Millie's Bakeries's broader obligations to support its distributors. The company also commits to pursuing the development of new products, maintaining the quality and marketability of existing products, and generally assisting and cooperating with the distributor's sales efforts. However, Aunt Millie's Bakeries is not responsible for failures caused by events outside of their control.
Furthermore, to help distributors pursue business with larger chains, Aunt Millie's Bakeries agrees to assist in arranging chain account programs, promotions, delivery authorizations, and purchasing and billing terms for sales to chain outlets within the distributor's sales area. However, this does not create an agency relationship, and distributors are not obligated to use Aunt Millie's Bakeries's assistance, retaining the right to make their own arrangements for terms and prices with outlets. Neither party is required to pay slotting allowances or similar fees imposed by the chains.