As a Bojangles franchisee, am I allowed to purchase any item not specifically approved by Bojangles?
Bojangles Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must purchase only approved and designated items, and you may not purchase any item not specifically approved by us. You may purchase all items only from approved and designated suppliers and using only those distribution providers that we approve and designate. We will make a list of our approved suppliers and distributors available to you upon request.
If you desire to purchase products or retain any services from suppliers other than our approved suppliers or distributors, you must submit or have the proposed supplier submit to our Supply Chain Department at our principal place of business a written request for approval together with such evidence of conformity with our specifications as we may reasonably require. We will have sole discretion to determine whether the proposed supplier will be approved. We will have the right to require that our representatives be permitted to inspect the supplier's facilities, and that samples from the supplier be delivered for evaluation and testing either to us or to an independent testing facility designated by us. You or the supplier must pay us a charge not to exceed the reasonable cost of the evaluation and testing. This includes costs of travel and time of personnel that we estimate to be $4,800. If the review involves product testing, we estimate the cost to be an additional $8,100. We estimate the time necessary to approve a supplier after receipt of all necessary information to be 60 to 120 days. We will, within 120 days after your request, notify you of our approval or disapproval of the proposed supplier. You must not sell or offer for sale any products or retain any services of the proposed supplier until you receive our written approval of the proposed supplier. You must use products purchased from approved suppliers solely for the purpose of operating your Restaurant and not for any other purpose.
Our criteria for supplier approval include: (1) adequate quality controls assuring ability to consistently produce product of desired quality in flavor, size, appearance and texture, (2) sufficiently high sanitation rating of facility producing product, (3) financial stability, (4) ability to consistently and promptly produce desired quality and quantity of product, (5) full compliance with all government regulations and specifications, (6) positive reputation in restaurant community and ethical operation of organization; and (7) competitive pricing.
You must permit us or our agent, at any reasonable time, to remove samples of food or non-food items from your inventory, or from the Restaurant, without payment, in amounts reasonably necessary for testing by us in independent laboratories, to determine whether the samples meet our then-current standards
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 30–37)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bojangles's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must purchase only approved and designated items and may not purchase any item not specifically approved by Bojangles. This restriction ensures that all Bojangles restaurants maintain a consistent level of quality and service. Franchisees must also purchase all items only from approved and designated suppliers and use only those distribution providers that Bojangles approves and designates. A list of approved suppliers and distributors is available upon request.
If a franchisee wishes to purchase products or retain services from non-approved suppliers, they must submit a written request to Bojangles' Supply Chain Department, along with evidence of conformity to Bojangles' specifications. Bojangles has the sole discretion to approve or disapprove the proposed supplier. Bojangles may inspect the supplier's facilities and require samples for evaluation and testing, with the franchisee or supplier bearing the costs. The FDD states that the cost for evaluation is estimated to be $4,800, and product testing is an additional $8,100. Bojangles estimates that the approval process takes 60 to 120 days after receiving all necessary information.
Bojangles' criteria for supplier approval include adequate quality controls, a high sanitation rating, financial stability, the ability to consistently produce the desired quality and quantity of product, full compliance with government regulations, a positive reputation, ethical operation, and competitive pricing. Franchisees must allow Bojangles or its agent to remove samples of food or non-food items from the restaurant for testing to ensure they meet current standards and specifications. The franchisee bears the cost of testing if the supplier has not been previously approved or if the sample fails to meet Bojangles' specifications.