Does City Publications have a procedure for franchisees to submit information regarding alternative suppliers for Proprietary Products & Services?
City_Publications Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We and our Affiliates have developed certain proprietary items and services, including customized direct mail Card Packs, customized Specialty Programs, SEO Programs, Graphics Services for the art design and printing of direct mail card packs, target market mailing lists, lead generation, packaging, branding materials, and other items which are integral to the operation of CITY PUBLICATIONS Businesses ("Proprietary Products & Services"). You must order and purchase all of your requirements of Proprietary Products & Services exclusively from us, our Affiliate(s) or a supplier designated by us. We do not allow you to contract with alternative suppliers for these items and therefore do not have a procedure by which you would submit to us information regarding alternative suppliers. Because we do not allow use of alternative suppliers for these services, you will never pay us for such a review, and there is no stated time frame within which we would be responding. You must also purchase sufficient Proprietary Products & Services as necessary to operate the Franchised Business at full capacity. We commit to provide the Proprietary Products & Services at competitive prices; however,
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 16–18)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Publications' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to purchase Proprietary Products & Services exclusively from City Publications, its affiliates, or designated suppliers. Proprietary Products & Services include customized direct mail Card Packs, customized Specialty Programs, SEO Programs, Graphics Services, target market mailing lists, lead generation, packaging, and branding materials.
The FDD explicitly states that City Publications does not allow franchisees to contract with alternative suppliers for these Proprietary Products & Services. Consequently, City Publications does not have a procedure for franchisees to submit information regarding alternative suppliers. The document clarifies that franchisees will not pay City Publications for a review of alternative suppliers, and there is no specified timeframe for responding to such submissions, as they are not permitted.
This restriction means that franchisees must rely solely on City Publications and its approved vendors for essential components of their business. While City Publications commits to providing these Proprietary Products & Services at competitive prices, franchisees should be aware that they cannot seek potentially lower-cost or higher-quality alternatives from other suppliers. This lack of flexibility could impact a franchisee's profitability and operational control.