What is the process for a Carbones Pizzeria franchisee to request approval for an alternative item that has not been approved?

According to Carbones Pizzeria's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee wants the company 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 then has 30 days from the date the information is provided to consider the supplier or item. The document states 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. Carbones Pizzeria will not consider approving a supplier or item for which they only have a single supplier or item.

This means that a Carbones Pizzeria franchisee is not entirely locked into the suppliers initially approved by the company. However, the franchisee must proactively seek approval for any alternatives they wish to use. The franchisee needs to be prepared to provide comprehensive information to Carbones Pizzeria to support their request.

It is important to note that Carbones Pizzeria retains the right to reject any proposed supplier or item without disclosing the specific reasons, as they do not make their approval criteria available. This lack of transparency could be a point of concern for franchisees who may want more clarity on what is required for approval. Additionally, the 30-day review period could potentially cause delays if a franchisee is seeking a quick change in suppliers or items. The restriction against approving a supplier or item for which Carbones Pizzeria only has a single source is also noteworthy, as it limits the franchisee's options in such cases.