Can Azal Coffee designate specific suppliers for preventative maintenance services that franchisees must use?
Azal_Coffee Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
You must maintain the Franchise Location, premises, equipment, furniture, fixtures, signs, Franchise Trade Dress, and other property of the Franchise Business in a clean, attractive, and safe condition and in good maintenance and repair and in compliance with the standards specified by us. You must, at your expense, engage in any program of preventative maintenance specified by us for the equipment, furniture, fixtures, signs, Franchise Trade Dress, and other property of the Franchise Business. We may specify the timing and manner of performing the maintenance services and may designate one or more suppliers that you may be required to use for preventative maintenance services. If at any time, in our reasonable judgment, the general state of repair, appearance or cleanliness of the Franchise Location or its equipment, furniture, fixtures, signs, Franchise Trade Dress, or other property do not meet our standards or specifications, we may notify you in writing, specifying the action you must take to correct the deficiency. You must initiate the specified action within thirty (30) days after receipt of the notice and diligently proceed to complete the specified action.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 51)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Azal Coffee's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to maintain their Franchise Location, including premises, equipment, furniture, fixtures, signs, Franchise Trade Dress, and other property, in a clean, attractive, safe condition, and in good repair, adhering to Azal Coffee's specified standards.
As part of these maintenance obligations, Azal Coffee franchisees must participate in any preventative maintenance programs that Azal Coffee specifies for the equipment, furniture, fixtures, signs, Franchise Trade Dress, and other property associated with the Franchise Business. Azal Coffee has the authority to specify the timing and manner in which these maintenance services are performed.
Importantly, Azal Coffee retains the right to designate one or more specific suppliers that franchisees may be required to use for these preventative maintenance services. If Azal Coffee determines that the general state of repair, appearance, or cleanliness of the Franchise Location or its equipment does not meet their standards, they can notify the franchisee in writing, detailing the necessary actions to correct the deficiency. The franchisee must then initiate the specified action within 30 days of receiving the notice and diligently work to complete it.