What general criteria does Boulder Designs apply when designating a proposed supplier as an approved source?

According to Boulder Designs' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, when considering a supplier for approval, Boulder Designs assesses several key factors. These include the supplier's ability to meet Boulder Designs' quality specifications for the service or product, their production and delivery capabilities to ensure consistent supply, and their adherence to minimum safety standards to protect franchisees and customers. Boulder Designs also evaluates the supplier's integrity, looking for ethical and reliable business practices, and verifies the legality of both the supplier's company and the products they offer.

For a prospective Boulder Designs franchisee, this means that if they wish to use a supplier not already approved by Boulder Designs, the supplier will need to meet these criteria. The franchisee may need to assist Boulder Designs in gathering information about the supplier, such as allowing inspections of the supplier's facilities and providing product samples for testing. This process ensures that all suppliers meet Boulder Designs' standards, maintaining consistency and quality across all franchise locations.

The FDD states that Boulder Designs will notify the franchisee of their decision within 90 days of the request. If no approval is received within this timeframe, the request is considered denied. This highlights the importance of planning and submitting supplier requests well in advance of needing the product or service. Franchisees should also be aware that Boulder Designs may revise their list of approved suppliers, so ongoing compliance with these standards is necessary.

This process is fairly standard in franchising, as franchisors need to maintain quality control and brand consistency. By setting clear criteria for supplier approval, Boulder Designs aims to ensure that all franchisees have access to reliable and high-quality products and services, which ultimately contributes to the overall success of the Boulder Designs brand.