What items are considered 'Input' for a Chocolate Fish Coffee franchise?
Chocolate_Fish_Coffee Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
"Approved Vendor" means a supplier, vendor, or distributor of Inputs which has been approved by Chocolate Fish Franchising.
"Input" means any goods, services, supplies, fixtures, equipment, inventory, computer hardware and software, real estate, or comparable items related to establishing or operating the Business.
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.
Chocolate Fish Franchising may condition its approval on such criteria as Chocolate Fish Franchising deems appropriate, which may include evaluations of the vendor's capacity, quality, financial stability, reputation, and reliability; inspections; product testing, and performance reviews.
Chocolate Fish Franchising will provide Franchisee with written notification of the approval or disapproval of any proposed new vendor within 30 days after receipt of Franchisee's request.
- 8.3 Alternate Input Approval. If Chocolate Fish Franchising requires Franchisee to purchase a particular Input, and Franchisee desires to purchase an alternate to the Input, then Franchisee must submit a written request for approval and any information, specifications and/or samples requested by Chocolate Fish Franchising.
Chocolate Fish Franchising will provide Franchisee with written notification of the approval or disapproval of any proposed alternate Input within 30 days after receipt of Franchisee's request.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 41–119)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Chocolate Fish Coffee's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, 'Input' encompasses a wide array of items essential for establishing and running the Business. These include goods, services, supplies, fixtures, equipment, inventory, computer hardware and software, real estate, or comparable items. This definition is important for prospective franchisees to understand because it broadly defines the scope of items they will need to procure to operate their Chocolate Fish Coffee franchise.
Chocolate Fish Coffee franchisees are required to acquire all Inputs in accordance with the System Standards, which are the mandatory procedures, requirements, and standards determined by Chocolate Fish Franchising. The franchisee may be required to purchase or lease 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 retains the right to modify these requirements or change the status of any vendor by issuing updated System Standards.
If a Chocolate Fish Coffee franchisee wishes to purchase a particular Input from a vendor not already approved, they must submit a written request for approval, along with any information, specifications, or samples requested by the franchisor. Chocolate Fish Franchising may base its approval on criteria such as the vendor's capacity, quality, financial stability, reputation, and reliability, as well as inspections, product testing, and performance reviews. The franchisor will provide written notification of approval or disapproval within 30 days of receiving the franchisee's request. Similarly, if a franchisee wants to use an alternate Input, they must seek approval from Chocolate Fish Franchising, who will then provide a decision within 30 days.