How will Carbones Pizzeria communicate the grant or revocation of supplier approval to franchisees?
Carbones_Pizzeria Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Because of the unique character of Carbone's pizza, you may only purchase from our approved suppliers various items including all food ingredients in the production of pizzas. The reason for the requirement is that the recipes for these products are unique and original, and it is in your interest and the interest of other franchisees and of M & T Pizza that the taste, texture and other qualities of these products be as consistent as possible. The grant or revocation of approval for a particular supplier will be communicated directly to you. Revocation will generally only occur upon the failure of the supplier to meet our standards. If you would like us to consider approving a supplier or an alternative item that we have not approved, or for which we have not revoked our approval, you must provide us with all information we request regarding the supplier or item. We will then have 30 days from the date you provide us the information to consider the supplier. We do not make our criteria available for approving suppliers or items. We do not charge a fee for our investigation or approval. We will not consider approving a supplier or item for which we only have a single supplier or item.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 12–13)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Carbones Pizzeria's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the grant or revocation of approval for a particular supplier will be communicated directly to the franchisee. This is due to the unique character of Carbone's pizza, which requires franchisees to purchase various items, including all food ingredients used in the production of pizzas, from approved suppliers only. The recipes for these products are unique and original, and it is in the interest of all parties that the taste, texture, and other qualities of these products be as consistent as possible.
If a franchisee would like Carbones Pizzeria to consider approving a supplier or an alternative item that has not been approved, the franchisee must provide all requested information regarding the supplier or item. Carbones Pizzeria will then have 30 days from the date the information is provided to consider the supplier. The FDD specifies that Carbones Pizzeria does not make its criteria available for approving suppliers or items and does not charge a fee for the investigation or approval. However, Carbones Pizzeria will not consider approving a supplier or item for which they only have a single supplier or item.
This direct communication ensures that franchisees are promptly informed of any changes to approved suppliers, allowing them to maintain the quality and consistency of their products. It also provides a clear process for franchisees to request the approval of new suppliers, although the lack of transparency regarding the approval criteria could make it difficult for franchisees to anticipate whether a proposed supplier will be accepted. The 30-day review period offers a reasonable timeframe for Carbones Pizzeria to evaluate potential suppliers, but the inability to use a supplier for which Carbones Pizzeria only has a single supplier or item may limit options for franchisees.