If a Cinnaholic franchisee wants to purchase from a non-approved supplier, what must they do?
Cinnaholic Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (viii) If Franchisee desires to purchase any ingredients, products, supplies, furnishings and equipment from suppliers other than those previously approved by Franchisor and such items have not been designated by Franchisor to be exclusively supplied by a designated supplier(s), Franchisee shall first submit to Franchisor a written request for authorization to purchase such items, together with such information and samples as Franchisor may require.
Franchisor shall have the right to require periodically that its representatives be permitted to inspect such items and/or supplies' facilities, and that samples from the proposed suppliers, or of the proposed items, be delivered for evaluation and testing either to Franchisor or to an independent testing facility designated by Franchisor.
Permission for such inspections shall be a condition of the initial and continuing approval of such supplier, manufacturer or distributor.
A charge not to exceed the reasonable cost of the evaluation and testing shall be paid by Franchisee.
Franchisor shall, within 90 days after its receipt of such request and completion of such evaluation and testing (if required by Franchisor), notify Franchisee in writing of its approval or disapproval.
Franchisor may deny such approval for any reason, including its determination to limit the number of approved suppliers.
The provisions above shall only apply if Franchisor has not designated a supplier or suppliers.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 61–62)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cinnaholic's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee who wishes to purchase ingredients, products, supplies, furnishings, and equipment from a supplier not already approved by Cinnaholic must first seek written authorization from Cinnaholic. This request must include any information and samples that Cinnaholic requires for evaluation.
Cinnaholic has the right to inspect the potential supplier's facilities and/or the items themselves. The franchisee may be charged a fee to cover the reasonable costs of evaluation and testing. Permission for inspections is a condition of initial and ongoing approval.
Cinnaholic will then notify the franchisee in writing of its decision (approval or disapproval) within 90 days of receiving the request and completing the evaluation and testing, if required. Cinnaholic retains the right to deny approval for any reason, including limiting the number of approved suppliers. These provisions only apply if Cinnaholic has not designated a specific exclusive supplier for the item in question.