When does a Bft franchisee request Alternative Supplier Approval?

According to Bft's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee may request Alternative Supplier Approval when they want to use an item, product, service, or supplier that is not already approved by Bft. Bft may require the franchisee to prepay any reasonable charges connected with the review and evaluation of the proposed alternative.

Specifically, the FDD outlines a fee for Alternative Supplier Approval of $500 per day for personnel, plus expenses. This fee is due at the time of the request. In addition to the daily fee, the franchisee must also reimburse Bft for any travel, accommodations, and meal expenses incurred during the evaluation process.

This process allows Bft to maintain quality control and brand consistency while giving franchisees the option to propose alternatives. However, the franchisee bears the financial risk of the approval process, as they must cover the costs regardless of whether the alternative supplier is ultimately approved. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, as franchisors typically want to ensure that all suppliers meet their standards before being used in the system.