Is there a fee charged by Endless Summer Sweets to review or approve an alternate supplier?
Endless_Summer_Sweets Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
We may approve other or alternate vendors if you request it in writing or if a vendor requests it and if the vendor demonstrates to our satisfaction that it is financially stable and can provide products or services that meet our specifications and that are consistent with our image. We will grant or revoke approvals of suppliers based on criteria appropriate to the situation, which may include evaluations of the supplier's capacity, quality, financial stability, reputation, and reliability; inspections; product testing, and performance reviews. Our criteria for approving suppliers are not available to you.
There is no fee for us to review or approve an alternate supplier, but we may charge our reasonable costs incurred in evaluating a proposed vendor. We will give you a good faith estimate of our cost of evaluating a proposed vendor within a reasonable time after you make the request, but before we begin the evaluation process. We will provide you with written notification of the approval or disapproval of any supplier you propose within 30 days after receipt of your request.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 14–16)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Endless Summer Sweets' 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, there is no fee to review or approve an alternate supplier. However, Endless Summer Sweets may charge franchisees their reasonable costs incurred in evaluating a proposed vendor.
Prospective Endless Summer Sweets franchisees should note that they can request approval for alternative vendors in writing. Endless Summer Sweets will also consider a vendor's request directly. The vendor must demonstrate financial stability and the ability to provide products or services that meet Endless Summer Sweets' specifications and align with their image.
Endless Summer Sweets will assess potential suppliers based on criteria such as capacity, quality, financial stability, reputation, reliability, inspections, product testing, and performance reviews. While the specific criteria are not disclosed to franchisees, Endless Summer Sweets will provide a good faith estimate of the evaluation costs before starting the evaluation process and will notify the franchisee in writing of the approval or disapproval within 30 days of receiving the request.