How long does Buns On Fire have to notify a franchisee whether a proposed supplier is approved?
Buns_On_Fire Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If you want to purchase products subject to our approved supplier requirements from a supplier who has not been previously approved by us, then you must, at your expense, send to us representative samples or specifications of that supplier's products or services, and certain other information about the supplier's products and business that we may request. We will also have the right to inspect the supplier's facilities and otherwise evaluate the proposed supplier and its products or services, and you must reimburse us for the expenses we incur to inspect and evaluate the supplier. Within thirty (30) days after receiving the necessary samples and information, we will notify you in writing as to whether the supplier's products or services comply with the uniformity requirements, quality standards and specifications established by us, and whether the supplier's business reputation, delivery performance, credit rating and other relevant information are satisfactory. If we do not respond in this time period, the supplier shall be deemed disapproved. The criteria for supplier approval are available to franchisees upon request. We reserve the right to approve or disapprove any requested supplier for any reason or no reason in our sole discretion.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 19–22)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buns On Fire's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee wants to use a supplier that Buns On Fire has not previously approved, the franchisee must submit samples, specifications, and other requested information about the supplier's products and business at their own expense. Buns On Fire also has the right to inspect the supplier's facilities, with the franchisee responsible for reimbursing Buns On Fire for the inspection expenses.
Buns On Fire will then notify the franchisee in writing whether the supplier meets their standards within thirty (30) days of receiving the necessary samples and information. The evaluation considers compliance with uniformity requirements, quality standards, specifications, business reputation, delivery performance, and credit rating.
If Buns On Fire does not respond within this 30-day period, the supplier is automatically considered disapproved. Buns On Fire retains the right to approve or disapprove any requested supplier at their discretion, for any reason or no reason. This means that even if a supplier meets all the objective criteria, Buns On Fire can still reject them, which is a fairly common practice in franchising to maintain brand consistency and quality control.
This process ensures that Buns On Fire maintains control over its supply chain and product quality, but it also places the burden of cost and potential delays on the franchisee when seeking approval for new suppliers. Prospective franchisees should be aware of these potential costs and delays and factor them into their business planning.