How long does Deer Solution have to notify a franchisee of its approval or disapproval of a proposed new supplier?
Deer_Solution Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If you want to purchase or lease a source restricted item from a supplier that has not been previously approved or designated by us in writing, you must send us a written request for approval and submit additional information that we may request. We may charge you a supplier review and testing fee and we may request that you send us samples from the supplier for testing and documentation from the supplier for evaluation. We may also require, subject to our discretion, that we be allowed to inspect the supplier's facilities. We will notify you of our approval or disapproval within a reasonable time, not to exceed 60 days, after we receive your written request for approval and all additional information and samples that we may request. We may, in our discretion, withhold our approval. When evaluating the approval of a particular supplier, among other things, we consider: whether the supplier can demonstrate to our reasonable satisfaction the ability to meet our standards, specifications and production requirements, the suppliers quality control, whether or not we are the exclusive supplier of the particular item, whether or not our affiliate or affiliates are the exclusive supplier of the particular item, and whether or not the suppliers approval, in our sole determination, will allow us to advance the overall interests of the System. If we have previously approved a supplier, and their standards fall below our designated standards, we will revoke our approval. We will notify you in writing of us revoking our approval.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 24–27)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Deer Solution's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee wants to purchase or lease a source-restricted item from a supplier not already approved by Deer Solution, the franchisee must submit a written request for approval along with any additional information requested by Deer Solution. Deer Solution may charge a supplier review and testing fee, request samples for testing, and inspect the supplier's facilities.
Deer Solution will then notify the franchisee of its approval or disapproval within a reasonable time, but that time will not exceed 60 days. This 60-day period starts after Deer Solution receives the franchisee's written request, all required information, and any requested samples.
Deer Solution retains the discretion to withhold approval. In evaluating a supplier, Deer Solution considers factors such as the supplier's ability to meet Deer Solution's standards and production requirements, quality control, whether Deer Solution or its affiliates are exclusive suppliers of the item, and whether approving the supplier will advance the overall interests of the Deer Solution system. Deer Solution will revoke approval of a previously approved supplier if their standards fall below Deer Solution's standards and will notify the franchisee in writing of such revocation.
This process highlights the importance of using approved suppliers to maintain quality and consistency within the Deer Solution franchise system. Franchisees need to be aware of the time it takes to get a new supplier approved if they want to deviate from the established supply chain.