Who negotiates contracts with providers of goods and services for Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchisees?
Benjamin_Franklin_Plumbing Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We, or our affiliate, BuyMax, negotiate contracts with providers of goods and services, including but not limited to insurance, financing, fuel cards, and fleet programs for our franchisees, our affiliates' company-owned outlets, several of our affiliates' franchisees; and for independent BuyMax members who participate in the program for a fee. BuyMax does not negotiate purchase agreements on behalf of individual members. Terms of purchase agreements may vary based on any number of factors and prices may change from time-to-time.
Other than as noted above, we do not currently negotiate purchasing arrangements with vendors on behalf of our franchisees, but we reserve the right to do so, including pricing terms. Our ability to negotiate and maintain arrangements with vendors may depend on the participation of as many BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PLUMBING franchisees as possible. Accordingly, if we name a specific vendor for a product or service, you must obtain the product or service from that designated vendor. You must comply with the terms and conditions included in the contract with a specific vendor and, if applicable, through the purchasing arrangements and/or programs that we require.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 37–43)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Benjamin Franklin Plumbing FDD, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing or its affiliate, BuyMax, negotiates contracts with providers of goods and services for franchisees. These goods and services include insurance, financing, fuel cards, and fleet programs. These contracts also extend to company-owned outlets of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing's affiliates, franchisees of those affiliates, and independent BuyMax members who participate in the program for a fee. However, BuyMax does not negotiate purchase agreements on behalf of individual members. The terms of purchase agreements may vary, and prices are subject to change.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing retains the right to negotiate purchasing arrangements with vendors on behalf of its franchisees, including pricing terms, although it does not currently do so beyond the arrangements made by BuyMax. The ability of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing to negotiate and maintain these arrangements depends on the participation of as many Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchisees as possible. If Benjamin Franklin Plumbing designates a specific vendor for a product or service, franchisees are required to obtain the product or service from that vendor and comply with the terms and conditions of the contract.
Franchisees are required to participate in and abide by the terms of any vendor purchase program that Benjamin Franklin Plumbing establishes. This includes purchasing branded products exclusively from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing or its approved suppliers. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing also designates approved vendors for certain items, and BuyMax negotiates purchasing arrangements with many of these vendors. These items include software like the ServiceTitan platform, sales and marketing materials, and components of the Equipment Package necessary for opening the franchise.