Can Chocolate Fish Coffee change the list of approved goods and services?
Chocolate_Fish_Coffee Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
rd parties, shall be honest and fair. Franchisee shall comply with any code of ethics or statement of values from Chocolate Fish Franchising. Franchisee shall not take any action which may injure the goodwill associated with the Marks.
ARTICLE 8. SUPPLIERS AND VENDORS
8.1 Generally. Franchisee shall acquire all Inputs required by Chocolate Fish Franchising from time to time in accordance with System Standards. Chocolate Fish Franchising may require Franchisee to purchase or lease any Inputs from Chocolate Fish Franchising, Chocolate Fish Franchising's designee, Required Vendors, Approved Vendors, and/or under Chocolate Fish Franchising's specifications. Chocolate Fish Franchising may change any such requirement or change the status of any vendor. To make such requirement or change effective, Chocolate Fish Franchising shall issue the appropriate System Standards.
- 8.2 Alternate Vendor Approval. If Chocolate Fish Franchising requires Franchisee to purchase a particular Input only from an Approved Vendor or Required Vendor, and Franchisee desires to purchase the Input from another vendor, then Franchisee must submit a written request for approval and any information, specifications and/or samples requested by Chocolate Fish Franchising.
Source: Item 16 — RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT THE FRANCHISEE MAY SELL (FDD pages 32–33)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Chocolate Fish Coffee's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, Chocolate Fish Coffee has the authority to modify the requirements for goods and services franchisees must acquire. Specifically, Chocolate Fish Coffee can mandate that franchisees purchase or lease inputs from specific sources, including Chocolate Fish Coffee itself, their designees, required vendors, or approved vendors, and they can alter these requirements or the status of any vendor.
To implement these changes, Chocolate Fish Coffee will issue updated System Standards. This means that Chocolate Fish Coffee franchisees must stay informed of any changes to the approved suppliers and products, as these can be modified at any time.
If a Chocolate Fish Coffee franchisee wishes to use a vendor not already approved, they must submit a written request for approval, including any information, specifications, or samples requested by Chocolate Fish Coffee. Chocolate Fish Coffee may base its approval on criteria such as the vendor's capacity, quality, financial stability, reputation, reliability, inspections, product testing, and performance reviews. Chocolate Fish Coffee will provide written notification of approval or disapproval.