What standards must the fixtures purchased or leased by a Counselor Realty franchisee meet?
Counselor_Realty Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
CES
The Franchise Agreement requires you to purchase or lease signage and other supplies, fixtures, equipment and certain inventory used in the Business that meet standards and specifications established by Counselor. You may obtain authorized goods and services from any available source of supply. Your Business may be identified only by Marks Counselor authorizes.
Standards and specifications for establishing and operating the Business also are described in the Franchise Policy Guidelines issued by Counselor, and you are bound by the terms of the Franchise Agreement to operate the Business in accordance with the requirements of the Franchise Policy Guidelines as revised periodically by Counselor.
Although Counselor establishes various standards and specifications for the goods and services that go into the establishment and operation of your Business, Counselor currently does not approve or disapprove suppliers as such (as distinguished from the goods or services they supply) and therefore currently maintains no criteria for approving suppliers or communicating approval or revocation of approval of suppliers to franchisees. Counselor may establish such criteria in the future. You may be directed to vendors able to supply portions of your requirements for certain items used in the ongoing operation of the Business. Counselor does not derive income solely from purchases made by franchisees from third party suppliers. Third party suppliers may make contributions from time to time to System sales promotion, advertising or other programs.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 15–16)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Counselor Realty's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must ensure that all signage, supplies, fixtures, equipment, and certain inventory used in their business meet the standards and specifications established by Counselor Realty. These standards are further detailed in the Franchise Policy Guidelines, which Counselor Realty may revise periodically. Franchisees are contractually obligated to operate their business in accordance with these guidelines.
While Counselor Realty sets standards for goods and services, it does not currently approve or disapprove specific suppliers. However, Counselor Realty may direct franchisees to vendors who can supply certain required items. It's important to note that Counselor Realty does not guarantee the availability of independent sources for any particular product or service needed to establish or operate the business.
For a prospective Counselor Realty franchisee, this means they must adhere to Counselor Realty's established standards when purchasing or leasing fixtures and other necessary items. They should carefully review the Franchise Policy Guidelines to understand these standards and specifications. While franchisees have the flexibility to source goods and services from any available supplier, they must ensure that these meet Counselor Realty's requirements. It is also important to stay updated with any revisions to the Franchise Policy Guidelines, as these may impact the standards and specifications for the business.