What is the fee for each person Bens Soft Pretzels provides for the determination of an 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 Bens Soft Pretzels's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee wishes to use an alternate supplier, Bens Soft Pretzels charges a fee of $500 per day for each person they provide to determine if the alternate supplier meets their standards, in addition to reasonable expenses.
This means that if a franchisee finds a supplier that could potentially offer better pricing or terms, they cannot simply switch. Bens Soft Pretzels retains control over the supply chain to ensure quality and uniformity, and the franchisee must go through a formal approval process. This process includes the franchisee submitting a written request and providing any background documents or evidence Bens Soft Pretzels requires.
The $500 per day fee, along with covering the expenses for each person Bens Soft Pretzels provides, could become a substantial cost, especially if the evaluation process takes multiple days or requires multiple personnel. This cost, combined with the risk that the supplier may ultimately be disapproved, should be carefully considered by a prospective franchisee. It is important to note that Bens Soft Pretzels's criteria for approving suppliers is confidential and not available to franchisees.