What food supplies, ingredients, and equipment can a Gold Star franchisee purchase from approved suppliers?
Gold_Star Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
7.2 Approved Suppliers. FRANCHISEE shall purchase all food supplies, ingredients and equipment used to make Products (including Proprietary Products), any items used in the construction of the Retail Location or operation of the Business, or otherwise offered for sale or used in the Store and not required to be purchased from the COMPANY or its designees, solely from sources who demonstrate, to the continuing satisfaction of the COMPANY, the ability to meet the COMPANY's then current standards and specifications for such items, who possess adequate quality controls and capacity to supply FRANCHISEE's needs promptly and reliably, who have been approved in writing by the COMPANY as a source of such item prior to any purchases by FRANCHISEE from such supplier and who have not thereafter been disapproved. FRANCHISEE acknowledges that the COMPANY may from time to time receive rebates or discounts from such suppliers.
- 7.3 Alternative Suppliers.
If FRANCHISEE desires to purchase from a source that is not on the COMPANY's then current approved supplier list for the item desired to be purchased, or to obtain approval to offer merchandise or services or use items that are not on the COMPANY's then current list of approved Products, FRANCHISEE shall submit to the COMPANY a written request for approval in accordance with the procedures then prescribed by the COMPANY for submission of requests for approval of products and suppliers.
The COMPANY shall have the right to require that its representatives be permitted to inspect the source's facilities, that samples from the source be submitted to the COMPANY or its designee for testing and evaluation and that FRANCHISEE pay the COMPANY a charge not to exceed the reasonable cost of the inspection and the actual cost of testing or other evaluation.
The COMPANY shall notify FRANCHISEE in writing within a reasonable time, not to exceed sixty (60) days, after receipt of FRANCHISEE's request and samples, whether such approval is granted.
The COMPANY reserves the right to reinspect facilities and items from time to time.
The COMPANY may revoke approval of any source or item that does not continue to meet any of the COMPANY's then current criteria.
The COMPANY shall not be required to approve any particular supplier or item.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 53–163)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Gold Star's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must purchase food supplies, ingredients, and equipment from approved suppliers. These include any items used to make products, in the construction of the retail location, or in the operation of the business. To be an approved supplier, the source must consistently meet Gold Star's standards and specifications, have adequate quality controls and the capacity to reliably supply the franchisee's needs, and be approved in writing by Gold Star before any purchases are made.
Gold Star may receive rebates or discounts from these approved suppliers. If a franchisee wants to use a supplier not currently on the approved list, they must submit a written request for approval. Gold Star has the right to inspect the supplier's facilities, request samples for testing and evaluation, and charge the franchisee for the costs of inspection and evaluation. Gold Star will then notify the franchisee in writing within 60 days whether the approval is granted.
Gold Star retains the right to periodically reinspect facilities and items and may revoke approval of any source or item that no longer meets their criteria. The document states that Gold Star is not required to approve any particular supplier or item. This system ensures that all franchisees maintain uniform standards and quality, protecting the brand's reputation and customer satisfaction.