How often will Hardees provide a list of approved suppliers?
Hardees Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Where we have issued standards and specifications, you must use only ingredients, food products, spices, seasonings, mixes, beverages, materials, supplies used in the preparation of food products, furniture, fixtures, equipment, smallwares, forms, paper and plastic products and packaging, cleaning supplies, and other materials that meet those standards and specifications. Our standards and specifications are contained in the Operation Procedures Manual ("OPM"). Periodically, we will provide you a list of approved suppliers. Most food items and other goods that you are required to purchase will be purchased from a master distributor. The master distributor will carry items such as meats, cheese, grocery, bread products, paper and cleaning supplies. As of the date of this disclosure document, our master distributor is McLane Company, Inc. We reserve the right to change the master distributors. Other master distributors may be approved from time to time.
Source: Item 8 — Restrictions on Sources of Products and Services (FDD pages 39–42)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hardees's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Hardees will periodically provide franchisees with a list of approved suppliers. This list specifies the sources from which franchisees must purchase ingredients, food products, materials, supplies, and other items that meet Hardees' standards and specifications, which are detailed in the Operation Procedures Manual (OPM).
Most food items and other goods are purchased from a master distributor, which, as of the date of the FDD, is McLane Company, Inc. However, Hardees reserves the right to change master distributors and may approve other distributors from time to time. Hardees may also approve one or more suppliers or distributors for any products, equipment, goods, or materials, potentially concentrating purchases with specific suppliers to obtain better prices, advertising support, or services.
The approval of a supplier or distributor may depend on factors such as delivery frequency, reporting capabilities, service standards, sanitation standards, insurance, and other quality assurance requirements. Hardees may also charge a fee to cover the costs of reviewing and auditing a supplier's facility, if necessary. Franchisees are required to notify Hardees if they wish to purchase goods from a non-approved supplier and may incur costs for testing and inspection to gain approval.
Overall, while the FDD states that Hardees will periodically provide a list of approved suppliers, it does not define a specific timeframe (e.g., monthly, quarterly, annually). A prospective franchisee should ask Hardees for clarification on how frequently this list is updated to ensure they remain compliant with the brand's sourcing requirements.