Will Checkers provide its current supplier criteria to a franchisee if they are evaluating a new supplier for their Checkers restaurant?
Checkers Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If you propose to use any brand or supplier that is not then approved by us, you must first notify us and submit sufficient information, specifications and samples concerning such brand and/or supplier so that we can decide whether such brand complies with our specifications and standards and/or such supplier meets our approved supplier criteria. We have the right to charge reasonable fees to cover our costs (currently, we charge only our out of pocket expenses). We will notify you of our decision within a reasonable period of time not to exceed 60 days. We may prescribe procedures for the submission of requests for approval and impose obligations on suppliers, which we may require to be incorporated in a written agreement. We may impose limits on the number of suppliers and/or brands for any of the foregoing items and set required, optional or test menu items. We will make available our then current supplier criteria to you, as necessary, upon request if we are asked to evaluate and approve a new supplier, item, or service for use with the System. We may revoke our approval of any supplier by notifying the supplier and you in writing.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 39–44)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Checkers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to purchase goods, services, supplies, fixtures, equipment, and inventory only from suppliers that Checkers has approved. If a franchisee wants to use a brand or supplier that is not already approved, they must notify Checkers and submit sufficient information, specifications, and samples for Checkers to evaluate whether the brand meets their standards and/or the supplier meets their criteria. Checkers has the right to charge reasonable fees to cover their costs, currently only out-of-pocket expenses. Checkers will then notify the franchisee of their decision within 60 days.
Checkers will make available its current supplier criteria to the franchisee upon request if they are evaluating a new supplier, item, or service for use within the Checkers system. Checkers may also prescribe procedures for the submission of requests for approval and impose obligations on suppliers, which they may require to be incorporated in a written agreement. Checkers can also set limits on the number of suppliers and/or brands for any items and set required, optional, or test menu items.
Checkers retains the right to revoke approval of any supplier by notifying both the supplier and the franchisee in writing. This ensures that Checkers maintains control over the quality and standards of products and services used in its restaurants, even if a franchisee initiates the request for a new supplier. This process helps Checkers maintain consistency across all franchise locations and protect the brand's reputation.
For a prospective franchisee, this means that while they have the option to suggest new suppliers, Checkers ultimately decides which suppliers are approved. The franchisee needs to be prepared to provide detailed information and potentially cover the costs associated with the evaluation process. It is also important to be aware that Checkers can change its approved suppliers at any time, which could impact the franchisee's operations and costs.