What information must a Bens Soft Pretzels franchisee submit to have an alternate supplier approved?
Bens_Soft_Pretzels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ight in the future.
Except for any products, supplies or materials for which we designate a single source approved supplier, if you wish to purchase products, supplies, materials or equipment from other suppliers not approved by us, you must submit to us a written request to approve the proposed supplier, together with any background documents or evidence we may require. We will have the right to require you to obtain permissions from the supplier to allow our representatives to inspect the supplier's facilities and that you deliver samples from the supplier for evaluation and testing either to us or to an independent testing facility that we designate. To have an alternate supplier approved, you must first notify us 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 wants to purchase from a supplier not already approved, they must submit a written request for approval. This request must include sufficient specifications, samples, and information that Bens Soft Pretzels may require. Additionally, the franchisee must cover Bens Soft Pretzels's costs to evaluate the supplier, including a fee of $500 per day for each person Bens Soft Pretzels provides for the determination, plus reasonable expenses.
Bens Soft Pretzels retains significant control over the approval process. They can require the franchisee to obtain permission from the proposed supplier, allowing Bens Soft Pretzels's representatives to inspect the supplier's facilities. They can also demand that the franchisee deliver samples for evaluation and testing, either to Bens Soft Pretzels directly or to an independent testing facility designated by them. Bens Soft Pretzels will then notify the franchisee of their decision within 30 days of receiving all the requested information.
It is important to note that Bens Soft Pretzels's criteria for approving suppliers is confidential and not available to franchisees. This lack of transparency could make it difficult for franchisees to anticipate what information is needed or to understand why a supplier was rejected. Furthermore, Bens Soft Pretzels reserves the right to revoke approval of a supplier at any time for any reason, which could disrupt a franchisee's supply chain. Franchisees must cease using or selling any disapproved products and cease purchasing from any disapproved supplier upon receiving notice of revocation.
This process is fairly standard in franchising, as franchisors want to maintain quality control and consistency across all locations. However, the $500 per day fee, plus expenses, could be a significant cost for a franchisee seeking to use an alternate supplier. Franchisees should carefully consider these costs and the potential for supplier disapproval or revocation when making purchasing decisions.