Can the System Standards for a Chocolate Fish Coffee franchise include standards for business methods?
Chocolate_Fish_Coffee Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
Fish Coffee business.
"Required Vendor" means a supplier, vendor, or distributor of Inputs which Chocolate Fish Franchising requires franchisees to use.
"System Standards" means, as of any given time, the then-current mandatory procedures, requirements, and/or standards of the System as determined by Chocolate Fish Franchising, which may include without limitation, any procedures, requirements and/or standards for appearance, business metrics, cleanliness, customer service, design (such as construction, decoration, layout, furniture, fixtures and signs), equipment, inventory, marketing and public relations, operating days, operating hours, presentation of Marks, product and service offerings, quality of products and services (including any guaranty and warranty programs), reporting, safety, technology (such as computers, computer peripheral equipment, smartphones, point-of-sale systems, back-office systems, information management systems, security systems, video monitors, other software, backup and archiving systems, communications systems (including email,
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 41–119)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Chocolate Fish Coffee's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the System Standards can include standards for business methods. The FDD defines "System Standards" as the mandatory procedures, requirements, and/or standards of the Chocolate Fish Coffee system as determined by Chocolate Fish Franchising.
These System Standards may include, without limitation, any procedures, requirements, and/or standards for various aspects of the business. These aspects include appearance, business metrics, cleanliness, customer service, design (such as construction, decoration, layout, furniture, fixtures and signs), equipment, inventory, marketing and public relations, operating days, operating hours, presentation of Marks, product and service offerings, quality of products and services (including any guaranty and warranty programs), reporting, safety, technology (such as computers, computer peripheral equipment, smartphones, point-of-sale systems, back-office systems, information management systems, security systems, video monitors, other software, backup and archiving systems, communications systems (including email, audio, and video systems), payment acceptance systems, and internet access, as well as upgrades, supplements, and modifications thereto), uniforms, and vehicles.
This means that as a Chocolate Fish Coffee franchisee, you must adhere to the standards set by Chocolate Fish Franchising for all of these areas. Chocolate Fish Franchising has the right to change, add, or delete System Standards at any time at its discretion, informing franchisees through any method it deems appropriate. Franchisees must comply with all mandatory obligations contained in the Manual and with all other System Standards at their own expense.