Does a Gold Star franchisee need written approval to alter or replace furniture?

According to Gold Star's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee needs prior written approval from Gold Star to alter or replace any furniture, fixtures, leasehold improvements, equipment, supplies, uniforms, and signs. This requirement ensures that all such items meet Gold Star's System Standards.

This means that franchisees cannot independently decide to change or substitute any of these items without first seeking and obtaining written permission from Gold Star. This approval process is in place to maintain uniformity and quality across all Gold Star locations, which is a common practice in franchising.

The franchisee is responsible for purchasing and installing furniture, fixtures, and equipment, but they can only use items approved by Gold Star in the manual or in writing. This ensures that everything within the store aligns with the brand's standards and contributes to a consistent customer experience.

Prospective franchisees should be aware of this requirement, as it impacts their ability to make independent decisions about the store's appearance and functionality. It also means that any desired changes or replacements will need to go through an approval process with Gold Star, which could potentially add time and complexity to store operations.