What rights does Bens Soft Pretzels have regarding inspection of a proposed supplier's facilities for a Bens Soft Pretzels franchise?
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 wishes to purchase products from a supplier not already approved by Bens Soft Pretzels, the franchisee must submit a written request for approval. Bens Soft Pretzels has the right to require the franchisee to obtain permission from the proposed supplier for Bens Soft Pretzels' representatives to inspect the supplier's facilities. Additionally, Bens Soft Pretzels can require the franchisee to provide samples from the supplier for evaluation and testing, either directly to Bens Soft Pretzels or to an independent testing facility designated by them.
To have an alternate supplier approved, the franchisee must first notify Bens Soft Pretzels in writing and submit sufficient specifications, samples, and information. There is also a fee charged for each person Bens Soft Pretzels provides for this determination, which is currently $500 per day, plus reasonable expenses. Bens Soft Pretzels' criteria for approving suppliers is confidential and not available to franchisees.
Bens Soft Pretzels will notify the franchisee of their approval or disapproval within 30 days of receiving all requested information. Bens Soft Pretzels also retains the right to revoke approval of a supplier at any time and for any reason. If approval is revoked, the franchisee must immediately stop using or selling any products from the disapproved supplier and cease making any further purchases from them. This ensures Bens Soft Pretzels maintains control over product quality and standards within its franchise system.