Can a Boulder Designs franchisee contract with alternative suppliers for required supplies and equipment?

According to the 2025 Boulder Designs Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must purchase from 'Approved Suppliers.' These suppliers are companies and vendors that Boulder Designs approves to provide services, product items, supplies, signs, equipment, and other items. These suppliers must 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.

This means that as a Boulder Designs franchisee, you are restricted to purchasing the majority of your supplies from vendors that the franchisor has pre-approved. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, intended to maintain quality control and brand consistency across all franchise locations.

While the FDD excerpt specifies that a list of approved suppliers will be provided, it does not explicitly state whether a franchisee can request approval for alternative suppliers. It also does not specify the criteria or process for becoming an approved supplier. A prospective franchisee should inquire with Boulder Designs about the process for getting a supplier approved and under what circumstances they might consider alternative suppliers.