What qualifications must a Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchisee meet to participate in the Key Accounts program?
Benjamin_Franklin_Plumbing Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We may from time to time enter into agreements to provide services to customers as part of a national, regional or key account program ("Key Accounts") at locations which include locations within the Territory. To participate in the Key Accounts program, you must meet the following qualifications: (i) be in compliance with all agreements you have with us; (ii) submit all required documents to us, including but not limited to proof of insurance, a W-9 form, EIN notice, and any other documentation we may request and/or require from time to time; and (iii) satisfy any additional training requirements we designate as a condition of participation in the program. We may charge you a fee to participate in Key Accounts (see Item 6), and you must sign our then-current Key Accounts agreement (not applicable as of the date of this disclosure document). You must accept and perform the terms of such agreements (including, without limitation, special pricing, payment terms, timing of services, and central invoicing) with respect to locations within the Territory. Certain Key Accounts agreements may require you to pay rebates to the customer, which we will negotiate with the customer on a case-by-case basis. If you refuse to perform the required services or we determine that your Franchised Business is not qualified, interested, able or available to perform the services, you are required to allow our employee(s), another franchisee, a sub-contractor, or another third-party that may be a competitor, to enter the Territory to perform the required services. In the case of an agreement under which the customer will pay a fixed amount for services at all locations listed in the agreement, we may allocate the fixed amount among the businesses performing the services.
Source: Item 12 — TERRITORY (FDD pages 57–60)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must meet certain qualifications to participate in the Key Accounts program. These qualifications include: being in compliance with all agreements with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, submitting all required documents such as proof of insurance, a W-9 form, EIN notice, and any other documentation that Benjamin Franklin Plumbing may request, and satisfying any additional training requirements designated as a condition of participation in the program. Franchisees may also be charged a fee to participate in Key Accounts.
Participating franchisees must also sign Benjamin Franklin Plumbing's then-current Key Accounts agreement and accept and perform the terms of such agreements. These terms may include special pricing, payment terms, timing of services, and central invoicing with respect to locations within the franchisee's territory. Certain Key Accounts agreements may also require franchisees to pay rebates to the customer, which Benjamin Franklin Plumbing will negotiate with the customer on a case-by-case basis.
If a Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchisee refuses to perform the required services or if Benjamin Franklin Plumbing determines that the franchisee's business is not qualified, interested, able, or available to perform the services, the franchisee is required to allow Benjamin Franklin Plumbing employees, another franchisee, a sub-contractor, or another third-party (even a competitor) to enter the territory to perform the required services. In cases where the customer pays a fixed amount for services at all locations listed in the agreement, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing may allocate the fixed amount among the businesses performing the services. This ensures that Key Accounts customers receive consistent service, even if the primary franchisee is unable to fulfill the obligations.