Does Brueggers Bagels designate or approve vendors for accounting services?

According to Brueggers Bagels's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to have their annual financial statements reviewed by an independent certified public accountant. However, Brueggers Bagels does not designate or approve specific vendors for accounting services. This means franchisees have the freedom to choose their own accounting service providers, as long as they are independent and certified.

This policy differs from some other areas of the Brueggers Bagels franchise system where vendor selection is restricted. For example, for the first two Bakeries a franchisee opens, they must engage an architect from Brueggers Bagels's approved list to prepare architectural drawings. Also, franchisees must adhere to Brueggers Bagels's standards and specifications when purchasing items such as food and beverage products, ingredients, packaging materials, and equipment, and these items must be purchased from designated or approved suppliers.

The freedom to select an accounting service offers a potential benefit to franchisees, allowing them to find a provider that best fits their needs and budget. However, it also places the responsibility on the franchisee to ensure that the chosen accountant is qualified and provides accurate financial reviews. Franchisees should confirm that their chosen accountant is an independent certified public accountant to meet Brueggers Bagels's requirements.

While Brueggers Bagels does not designate or approve accounting vendors, they do conduct quality assurance audits that include administrative reviews. Therefore, franchisees should ensure their accounting practices align with Brueggers Bagels's standards, even though the choice of vendor is left to the franchisee.