For Boulder Designs, what criteria must suppliers meet to be considered "Approved Suppliers"?

According to Boulder Designs' 2025 Franchise Agreement, an "Approved Supplier" is defined as a company or vendor that provides services, product items, supplies, signs, equipment, and other items and services that Boulder Designs approves from time to time. These suppliers must also comply with Boulder Designs' specifications and quality standards. Boulder Designs will provide a list of Approved Suppliers in the Manual or other written or electronic form, with further details and requirements outlined in Article 13 of the agreement.

This means that as a franchisee, you are generally required to purchase certain items from suppliers that Boulder Designs has pre-approved. This is a common practice in franchising to maintain consistency and quality across all locations. The list of approved suppliers can be found in the Boulder Designs Operations Manual or other official communications from the franchisor.

The agreement emphasizes that franchisees must adhere to the approved supplier list and are restricted from selling or providing any unapproved items or services from the franchised business or approved location without prior written consent from Boulder Designs. This ensures that all products and services offered under the Boulder Designs name meet the franchisor's standards. It is important to regularly consult the most current list of approved suppliers to ensure compliance and avoid potential breaches of the franchise agreement.

It is also important to note that Boulder Designs, or an affiliate, may be an approved supplier, or Boulder Designs may derive a fee or profit from a third-party supplier. This arrangement is not uncommon in franchising, but franchisees should be aware of these relationships. If a franchisee violates this provision, it could lead to penalties or termination of the franchise agreement.