What is the procedure for a Bb.Q Chicken franchisee to request approval of a new equipment supplier?
Bb_Q_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ed suppliers made on behalf of our franchisees.
If you wish to purchase, lease or use any products that we have not previously approved, or purchase or lease from a supplier we have not previously approved, you must submit a written request for approval or you must request the supplier to do so. You must reimburse our travel charges and costs related to our testing and inspection (not to exceed $1,500). We must approve any supplier in writing before you make any purchases from that supplier. We can require that our representatives be permitted to inspect the supplier's facilities and that samples from the supplier be delivered, either to us or to an independent laboratory, for testing. We have the right to re-inspect the facilities and products of any approved supplier and to revoke our approval if the supplier fails to continue to meet any of our then-current standards. Our supplier approval procedure does not obligate us to approve any particular supplier. We will notify you in writing within 30 days after we complete the inspection and evaluation process of our approval or disapproval of any proposed supplier. We are not required to make available to you or to any supplier our criteria for product or supplier approval. We are not obligated to approve any specific product or supplier if we believe that approval of that product or supplier is not in the best interests of the System. We may revoke our prior approval of any product or supplier at any time, and after your receipt of written notice from us regarding our revocation you must stop using tha
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 27–31)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bb.Q Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee wants to purchase or lease products from a supplier not already approved, either the franchisee or the supplier must submit a written request for approval. The franchisee is responsible for reimbursing Bb.Q Chicken's travel and testing costs, up to $1,500, related to the inspection. Bb.Q Chicken must then approve the supplier in writing before any purchases can be made from them.
Bb.Q Chicken has the right to inspect the supplier's facilities and request samples for testing, either by Bb.Q Chicken or an independent lab. They can also re-inspect approved suppliers and revoke approval if the supplier no longer meets their standards. Bb.Q Chicken will notify the franchisee in writing of the approval or disapproval within 30 days of completing the inspection and evaluation process. However, Bb.Q Chicken is not obligated to disclose their approval criteria or to approve any specific supplier if they believe it is not in the best interest of the Bb.Q Chicken system.
Bb.Q Chicken can revoke a previously approved supplier at any time with written notice, after which the franchisee must cease purchasing from that supplier. This process ensures that Bb.Q Chicken maintains control over the quality and standards of its franchise system, while also allowing franchisees the opportunity to propose alternative suppliers under specific conditions. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, where franchisors balance quality control with franchisee autonomy.