What information must a Bft franchisee submit to the franchisor when proposing non-approved services, products, or suppliers?
Bft Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- E. Non-Approved Services, Products or Suppliers. If Franchisee proposes to offer for sale any products, classes or services other than then-current Approved Services and Approved Products, Franchisee shall first notify Franchisor in writing and submit sufficient information, specifications and samples concerning such product, classes and/or supplier and/or service for a determination by the Franchisor whether such product, classes or supplier of service complies with the Franchisor's specifications and standards and/or whether such supplier meets the Franchisor's approved supplier criteria. Franchisor reserves the right to charge Franchisee reasonable costs in connection with Franchisor's review, evaluation and approval of alternative suppliers. These charges may include reimbursement for travel, accommodations, meal expenses, and personnel wages. Franchisor may from time to time prescribe procedures for the submission of requests for approved products and/or suppliers or services and obligations that approved suppliers must assume (which may be incorporated in a written agreement to be executed by approved suppliers). Franchisor reserves the right to revoke its approval of a previously authorized supplier, product, class or service when Franchisor determines in its discretion that such supplier, product, class or service is not meeting the specifications and standards established by Franchisor. If Franchisor modifies its list of approved products, classes and/or suppliers and/or services, Franchisee shall not, after receipt in writing of such modification, reorder any product or utilize any supplier, product, class or service that is no longer approved.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 79–265)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bft's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee wants to offer services, products, or use suppliers that are not already approved by Bft, they must first notify Bft in writing. This notification must include sufficient information, specifications, and samples related to the proposed product, class, service, or supplier. This allows Bft to determine whether the proposed offering or supplier meets Bft's standards and specifications, or the criteria for approved suppliers.
Bft reserves the right to charge the franchisee reasonable costs associated with the review, evaluation, and approval process of these alternative suppliers. These costs can include reimbursement for travel, accommodations, meal expenses, and personnel wages incurred by Bft during the evaluation. Bft may also establish specific procedures for submitting requests for approved products, suppliers, or services, and may require approved suppliers to enter into a written agreement outlining their obligations.
Bft retains the right to revoke approval of any previously authorized supplier, product, class, or service if it determines that they no longer meet the established specifications and standards. If Bft modifies its list of approved offerings or suppliers, franchisees must cease reordering any product or utilizing any supplier that is no longer approved upon receiving written notification of the change. This ensures that all Bft studios maintain consistent quality and adhere to the brand's standards.
This requirement ensures that Bft maintains control over the quality and consistency of its brand. For a prospective franchisee, this means that introducing new or different products, services, or suppliers requires a formal approval process, potentially incurring additional costs and the risk of denial. It is important for franchisees to factor in these potential costs and delays when considering offering non-approved items or services.