Are Dryject franchisees obligated to follow the manual regarding approved vendors?
Dryject Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We will furnish our standards and specifications, as well as our criteria for supplier approval, to franchise owners on request, but only on a confidential basis. All suppliers and approved vendors will be listed in the Manual, which must always be followed, even as modified by us periodically.
If you desire to purchase any items from an unapproved supplier, you or the supplier must submit to us a written request for approval. We will then examine the vendor or supplier, which examination may include a review of product specifications, inspection of the vendor/supplier's facilities, actual testing (or demo) of their product, inquiries as to general reputation and reliability, and all other factors as we deem important. We must respond to your request in writing within 30 days. Our approval will not be unreasonably withheld, but must be obtained in writing. In the event we do not provide you with a written decision, the request will be deemed denied. We reserve the right to require that a representative be permitted to inspect the supplier's facilities and samples from the supplier be delivered to us or our designee for testing. We reserve the right to charge you a fee for reviewing a proposed supplier of any goods to be used in connection with the Franchise. If we determine that it is necessary to inspect the supplier's facilities or conduct tests, we will require you or the supplier to pay our actual costs incurred for this inspection and testing. We may, periodically, re-inspect the facilities and products of any previously approved supplier and may revoke our approval if the supplier fails to meet any of our standards and specifications at any time. We update our lists of approved suppliers periodically and issue the updated lists to all franchise owners.
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 19–24)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Dryject's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are generally required to adhere to the approved vendor list found in the Manual. The FDD states that all suppliers and approved vendors will be listed in the Manual, which must always be followed, even as modified by Dryject periodically. This means that franchisees are expected to source their products, equipment, and supplies from the vendors that Dryject has pre-approved and listed in the Manual.
However, the FDD also outlines a process for franchisees to request approval for unapproved suppliers. If a franchisee wishes to purchase items from a supplier not on the approved list, they must submit a written request to Dryject for approval. Dryject will then examine the vendor, which may include reviewing product specifications, inspecting facilities, testing products, and assessing the vendor's reputation. Dryject must respond to the request in writing within 30 days, and failure to provide a written decision within that timeframe will be deemed a denial. While Dryject states that approval will not be unreasonably withheld, it must be obtained in writing.
Dryject also reserves the right to inspect the supplier's facilities and request samples for testing, with the franchisee potentially bearing the costs of such inspections and tests. Furthermore, Dryject may periodically re-inspect previously approved suppliers and revoke approval if they fail to meet the company's standards. This system ensures that Dryject maintains control over the quality and consistency of products and services used within its franchise system, while also allowing franchisees some flexibility to propose alternative suppliers, subject to Dryject's approval.
Prior to opening, franchisees must purchase certain products, supplies, and equipment from designated suppliers, including proprietary equipment like the DryJect® machines. After opening, franchisees can purchase non-proprietary items from any approved supplier, but must adhere to Dryject's specifications and standards for certain products, supplies, and equipment as outlined in the Franchise Agreement, Manual, or notices. Franchisees must also purchase advertising and promotional materials from approved vendors and obtain Dryject's approval for all advertising mediums, content, and methods.