Under what conditions can Bens Soft Pretzels revoke approval of a supplier?
Bens_Soft_Pretzels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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 disapproved supplier.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 18–22)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bens Soft Pretzels' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Bens Soft Pretzels retains broad authority to revoke approval of any supplier. Bens Soft Pretzels may revoke approval of a supplier at any time for any reason. This means that a franchisee could be forced to switch suppliers with little or no notice, potentially disrupting their supply chain and increasing costs.
Upon receiving notification of a supplier's disapproval, a Bens Soft Pretzels franchisee must immediately cease using or selling any products from that supplier and stop purchasing from them. This requirement underscores the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with approved suppliers and staying informed about any changes to the approved supplier list.
This level of control over suppliers is not uncommon in franchising, as franchisors seek to maintain quality and consistency across all locations. However, the lack of specific reasons for revocation in the FDD gives Bens Soft Pretzels significant discretion, which could pose a risk to franchisees if a previously approved supplier is suddenly removed from the list.