If a Dog Haus franchisee wants to procure items from a supplier who is not an Approved Supplier, what must they do?
Dog_Haus Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If you wish to procure any items or services from a supplier other than us or a Dog Haus Approved Supplier, you must obtain our approval. You must identify the proposed supplier, its name and address, and the item(s) or service(s) you desire to purchase from that supplier. We may require you to deliver a sample of their product or service. Our specifications and standards for supplier approval are generally available upon written request. If product specifications for the item or service are not in the Manuals, we will furnish the general, but not manufacturing, specifications for Non-Proprietary Products and Services to you at your request. We may condition our approval on the supplier agreeing in writing not to disclose any confidential information regarding us or our operations, to comply faithfully with our specifications for the items it sells, to sell any materials bearing our marks only to our franchisees, and on the supplier demonstrating to our reasonable satisfaction that it is able to supply commodities meeting our specifications on a continuing basis, and that the supplier is, and will continue to be, of good standing in the business community with regard to its financial soundness and the reliability of its product and service. We also have the right to require, as a condition of approval, that our representatives are permitted to inspect the supplier's facilities and that you deliver to us and/or to an independent, certified laboratory designated by us, all information, specifications and samples that we reasonably designate for testing. Additionally, our representatives must be permitted to meet with the supplier routinely to ensure that the supplier's items and services meet our specifications and standards. You must pay us a fee not to exceed the reasonable cost of the inspection and the actual cost of the test. In addition to product testing, a facility audit may be required. You will be responsible for any additional costs and expenses associated with the inspection of the facility. We will use our good faith efforts to notify you of our decision within 60 days after we receive your request for approval and all requested back-up information. You may not use a supplier unless we notify you of our approval in writing. We may revoke a supplier's approval for failure to comply with our requirements and specifications. We will disapprove or withdraw our approval of any supplier by written notice to you.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 31–36)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Dog Haus's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee who wishes to procure items or services from a supplier who is not already an Approved Supplier must first obtain approval from Dog Haus. The franchisee must provide the name and address of the proposed supplier, as well as identify the specific items or services they intend to purchase from that supplier. Dog Haus may then request a sample of the product or service for evaluation.
Dog Haus has established specifications and standards for supplier approval, which are generally available upon written request. If product specifications are not already detailed in the Manuals, Dog Haus will furnish general specifications for Non-Proprietary Products and Services upon request. Approval may be conditional, requiring the supplier to agree in writing to protect confidential information, comply with Dog Haus's specifications, sell materials bearing Dog Haus's marks only to franchisees, and demonstrate the ability to consistently meet specifications while maintaining good standing in the business community.
As part of the approval process, Dog Haus may require inspections of the supplier's facilities and testing of products by an independent, certified laboratory. The franchisee is responsible for covering the costs associated with these inspections and tests. Dog Haus commits to using good faith efforts to notify the franchisee of their decision within 60 days of receiving the approval request and all necessary supporting information. The franchisee is explicitly prohibited from using a supplier unless they receive written approval from Dog Haus. Dog Haus retains the right to revoke a supplier's approval if they fail to comply with the established requirements and specifications, and will provide written notice of disapproval or withdrawal of approval to the franchisee.