Does Brueggers Bagels have the right to introduce new 'Required Items' at any time?
Brueggers_Bagels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Proprietary Food Items. Certain of the food items in Bruegger's Bakeries are proprietary (such as dough and cream cheese). We will have the right to periodically introduce additional or new proprietary items. Proprietary items are considered integral components of a Bruegger's franchise and are inextricably interrelated with the Proprietary Marks and the System. The proprietary items that are offered and sold in Bakeries are manufactured in accordance with the secret blends, standards, and specifications that we or our affiliates own. In order to maintain the high standards of quality, taste, and uniformity associated with proprietary items sold at all Bakeries in the System, you must purchase proprietary items only from us, our affiliate, our parent company, or our designees, and you may not offer or sell any proprietary item that has not been purchased from us, our affiliate, our parent company, or our designated supplier at or from the Franchised Bakery. We and our affiliates are not currently the only approved suppliers for any category of products (including proprietary items). We have designated a number of third party suppliers from whom proprietary items may be purchased, including third party suppliers and, in limited circumstances, our affiliates BEI and Caribou.
Source: Item 16 — RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT THE FRANCHISEE MAY SELL (FDD pages 48–49)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Brueggers Bagels's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Brueggers Bagels retains the right to periodically introduce additional or new proprietary food items. These proprietary items are considered essential to the Brueggers Bagels franchise system and are closely linked to the brand's trademarks and overall system.
For a prospective franchisee, this means that Brueggers Bagels can mandate the use of new food items, which must be purchased exclusively from Brueggers Bagels, its affiliates, parent company, or designated suppliers. This requirement is in place to maintain quality, taste, and uniformity across all Brueggers Bagels locations. While Brueggers Bagels and its affiliates are not the only approved suppliers, franchisees are restricted to purchasing these proprietary items from approved sources.
This policy ensures consistency throughout the Brueggers Bagels system but also limits the franchisee's ability to source ingredients independently. Franchisees should be aware that they may be required to adapt to new proprietary items and purchase them from specific, approved vendors, potentially impacting their costs and operational procedures. It is important to stay updated on any changes to approved vendors and proprietary items to maintain compliance with Brueggers Bagels's standards.