What standards must a Bens Soft Pretzels franchisee follow when constructing and equipping their store?
Bens_Soft_Pretzels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
In order to ensure a uniform image and uniform quality of products and services throughout the BEN'S SOFT PRETZELS system, you must maintain and comply with our quality standards. Although you are not required to purchase or lease real estate from us or our affiliates, we must accept the location of your Store (see Item 11). Further, if you choose to operate in a captive venue location for which we or our affiliates have entered into an arrangement, you will enter into an addendum to your Franchise Agreement in either the form of a sublease or sublicense as applicable, both of which are included as a Schedule to your Franchise Agreement. You must construct and equip your Store in accordance with our then current
approved design, specifications and standards. In addition, it is your responsibility to ensure that your building plans comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and all other federal, state and local laws.
We reserve the right to designate a primary or single source of supply for certain products and supplies, and we or an affiliate may be that single source. For example, as of the date of this Disclosure Document, you must purchase your loyalty cards, gift cards, starter kit, some flavor toppings and some of the equipment and signage for your Store solely from our affiliate, Live Large Distribution Inc*.* In addition, you must purchase your food, Ben's Soft Pretzels pretzel mix and proprietary goods such as your cups, lids, pretzel sleeves, imported German salt, and take-home kits from Gordon Food Service, Inc. In limited instances when these items are not available from Gordon Food Service, you will purchase such items from Live Large Distribution, Inc. You must participate in our national Pepsi contract and serve Pepsi soft drinks unless your store is inside a designated area for a different soda brand. You must obtain your point of sale hardware and software system and your payments processing system from our approved supplier.
If you intend to operate the Store at a space within a Meijer store for which we have entered into a Master In-Store License, then you must enter into the Sublicense which is attached to your Franchise Agreement as a Schedule. The sublicensor on the Sublicense for a space within a Meijer store is our affiliate, Evan Jones Management Inc.
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, franchisees must adhere to specific standards when constructing and equipping their store. Bens Soft Pretzels requires that the store be constructed and equipped according to their current approved design, specifications, and standards. This ensures uniformity across all franchise locations, maintaining brand consistency and customer expectations. Additionally, franchisees are responsible for ensuring that their building plans comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws. This compliance is critical to avoid legal issues and ensure accessibility for all customers.
Bens Soft Pretzels also provides an Approved Supplies List, which includes approved manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors for inventory products, food products, uniforms, fixtures, furniture, equipment, signs, stationery, supplies, and other necessary items. While franchisees are generally free to choose from this list, Bens Soft Pretzels reserves the right to designate a single source of supply for certain products. As of the date of the 2025 Disclosure Document, franchisees must purchase loyalty cards, gift cards, starter kits, some flavor toppings, and some equipment and signage from Live Large Distribution Inc., an affiliate of Bens Soft Pretzels. Franchisees must also purchase food, Ben's Soft Pretzels pretzel mix, and proprietary goods from Gordon Food Service, Inc., with limited exceptions for purchases from Live Large Distribution, Inc. when items are unavailable from Gordon Food Service.
If a franchisee wishes to use a supplier not already approved by Bens Soft Pretzels, they must submit a written request for approval, along with any required background documents or evidence. Bens Soft Pretzels has the right to inspect the supplier's facilities and require samples for evaluation and testing. The franchisee must also cover a fee of $500 per day for each person Bens Soft Pretzels provides for this determination, plus reasonable expenses. Bens Soft Pretzels will notify the franchisee of their decision within 30 days of receiving all requested information, but the criteria for approving suppliers remains confidential. Bens Soft Pretzels can revoke approval of a supplier at any time, and franchisees must immediately cease using or purchasing from any disapproved supplier. These measures ensure that all products and services meet the brand's quality standards.