Under what condition is a Bombs Away franchisee permitted to contract with alternative suppliers?
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, a franchisee is permitted to contract with alternative suppliers only if they request approval in writing from Bombs Away and Bombs Away grants that approval. Bombs Away will assess the supplier based on criteria such as capacity, quality, financial stability, reputation, and reliability, potentially including inspections, product testing, and performance reviews. The specific criteria Bombs Away uses to approve suppliers are not disclosed to franchisees.
To seek approval for an alternative supplier, a Bombs Away franchisee must submit a written request. Bombs Away is obligated to provide a written response, either approving or disapproving the proposed supplier, within 30 days of receiving the franchisee's request. Bombs Away retains the right to grant new approvals or revoke existing approvals of suppliers by providing written notice to the franchisee.
This process ensures that Bombs Away maintains control over the quality and consistency of products and services used within its franchise system. While franchisees have the option to seek alternative suppliers, the ultimate decision rests with Bombs Away, and they are not obligated to share the specific criteria used in their evaluation. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, allowing the franchisor to protect brand standards and ensure operational consistency across all locations.