Is there a fee charged by Bombs Away to review or approve an alternate supplier?
Bombs_Away Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
If you want to use a supplier that is not on our list of approved suppliers, you must request our approval in writing. We will grant or revoke approvals of suppliers based on criteria appropriate to the situation, which may include evaluations of the supplier's capacity, quality, financial stability, reputation, and reliability; inspections; product testing, and performance reviews. Our criteria for approving suppliers are not available to you. We permit you to contract with alternative suppliers who meet our criteria only if you request our approval in writing, and we grant approval. There is no fee for us to review or approve an alternate supplier. We will provide you with written notification of the approval or disapproval of any supplier you propose within 30 days after receipt of your request. We may grant approvals of new suppliers or revoke past approvals of suppliers on written notice to you.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 15–17)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Bombs Away's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, there is no fee for the franchisor to review or approve an alternate supplier. However, if a franchisee wants to use a supplier that is not on Bombs Away's list of approved suppliers, they must request approval in writing. Bombs Away will then grant or revoke approvals of suppliers based on criteria appropriate to the situation, including evaluations of the supplier's capacity, quality, financial stability, reputation, and reliability; inspections; product testing, and performance reviews.
Bombs Away's criteria for approving suppliers are not available to franchisees. Bombs Away permits franchisees to contract with alternative suppliers who meet their criteria only if the franchisee requests approval in writing, and Bombs Away grants approval. Bombs Away will provide written notification of the approval or disapproval of any supplier a franchisee proposes within 30 days after receipt of the request.
Bombs Away may grant approvals of new suppliers or revoke past approvals of suppliers on written notice to the franchisee. This means that while there is no fee to request approval, Bombs Away maintains significant control over the supply chain and can change approved suppliers at their discretion. This is a fairly common practice in franchising, allowing franchisors to maintain quality control and brand consistency.