Can Buff City Soap franchisees use any credit card processing services they choose?
Buff_City_Soap Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (c) Credit Card and Other Methods of Payment.
Franchisor may, at its option, designate in writing credit and debit card issuers or sponsors check or credit verification services, financial center services, and electronic funds transfer systems, and upon any such designation by Franchisor, Franchisee must maintain credit card relationships with such credit and debit card issuers or sponsors check or credit verification services, financial center services, and/or electronic funds transfer systems in connection with the operation of the Makery and refrain from using any services or providers that Franchisor has not approved in writing or for which Franchisor has revoked its approval.
Franchisor may modify its requirements and designate additional approval or required methods of payment and vendors for processing such payment.
Franchisee must comply with the PCI DSS as they may be revised and modified by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council, or any successor or replacement organization and/or in accordance with other standards Franchisor may specify, and FACTA.
Franchisee also must upgrade periodically its Technology System, at Franchisee's expense, to maintain compliance with PCI DSS, FACTA and all Applicable Law.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 69–186)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buff City Soap's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees do not have complete autonomy in choosing credit card processing services. Buff City Soap retains the right to designate specific credit and debit card issuers, sponsors, check or credit verification services, financial center services, and electronic funds transfer systems that franchisees must use.
Buff City Soap franchisees are obligated to maintain credit card relationships with the entities designated by the franchisor. They are explicitly prohibited from using any services or providers that Buff City Soap has not approved in writing or has revoked approval for. This policy ensures uniformity and potentially leverages negotiated rates or integrated systems beneficial to the franchise system as a whole.
Furthermore, Buff City Soap may modify these requirements and designate additional approved or required methods of payment and vendors for processing payments. Franchisees are also responsible for upgrading their technology systems to comply with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), FACTA (Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act), and all other applicable laws, ensuring secure and legal payment processing. This compliance and the potential for mandated technology upgrades come at the franchisee's expense.