What is the current fee charged by Bens Soft Pretzels for evaluating a proposed alternate supplier?
Bens_Soft_Pretzels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
in writing, submit
sufficient specifications, samples and information, along with our then current fee (which is currently $500 per day) for each person we provide for this determination plus reasonable expenses. Our criteria for approving suppliers is confidential and is not available to franchisees. You may contract only with suppliers whom we have approved. We will notify you of our approval or disapproval within 30 days of our receiving all requested information. We may revoke our approval of a supplier at any time for any reason. Upon receipt of our revocation of approval, you must cease to use or sell any disapproved products and cease to purchase from any d
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 18–22)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bens Soft Pretzels Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee wishes to use a supplier not already approved, Bens Soft Pretzels charges a fee for each person they provide to evaluate the proposed alternate supplier. This fee covers the time and expenses associated with determining if the new supplier meets their standards.
The current fee is $500 per day, per person, plus reasonable expenses. This fee covers the cost for Bens Soft Pretzels representatives to assess the supplier. The franchisee is responsible for this fee in addition to providing sufficient specifications, samples, and information about the proposed supplier.
Bens Soft Pretzels maintains confidential criteria for approving suppliers, which are not disclosed to franchisees. This means franchisees must rely on Bens Soft Pretzels's assessment process. Bens Soft Pretzels will notify the franchisee of their decision within 30 days of receiving all the necessary information. However, Bens Soft Pretzels retains the right to revoke approval of a supplier at any time, and franchisees must immediately cease using or purchasing from a disapproved supplier.
This policy ensures quality control and uniformity within the Bens Soft Pretzels system, but it also means franchisees have limited flexibility in sourcing supplies and may incur significant costs if they propose alternate suppliers. Franchisees should carefully consider these costs and restrictions when evaluating the franchise opportunity.