What happens if a Hydrodog franchisee wishes to use a supplier that is not currently approved?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (c) Changes to Approved Suppliers. If you wish to use any type, model, manufacturer or brand of materials, supplies or equipment, supplier, manufacturer or distributor of equipment, supplies or material, any service provider or any other brand, manufacturer, distributor or supplier of materials, supplies, services or equipment, which is not currently approved by us, you are required to: (i) notify us in writing; (ii) submit to us sufficient specifications, photographs, samples and/or other information requested by us concerning such type, model, brand, service, service provider and/or supplier, manufacturer or distributor.
We will then determine, within a reasonable time not to exceed thirty (30) calendar days, whether such type, model or brand, supplier, distributor, service provider or manufacturer complies with our specifications, and/or whether such supplier, manufacturer, distributor or service provider meets our criteria for approval.
We may from time-to-time prescribe procedures for the submission of requests for approval of types, models, brands, manufacturers, distributors, service providers or suppliers and obligations which approved manufacturers, distributors, service providers or suppliers must assume.
Under no circumstances are Franchisees permitted to offer for sale any item or order inventory from any suppliers or vendors that have not been expressly authorized by us.
We reserve the sole right, in our Business Judgment, to decide if any supplier, vendor or item is authorized and reserve the right to disapprove or refuse to approve any supplier, vendor or item.
Under no circumstances may you offer for sale any products or perform any services that we have not previously authorized.
Selling unauthorized products or ordering from unauthorized vendors is grounds for default and/or termination of this Agreement.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 43–166)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must only purchase materials and inventory from Hydrodog's approved suppliers. If a franchisee wants to use a supplier that is not currently approved, they must notify Hydrodog in writing and submit any specifications, photographs, samples, or other information requested by Hydrodog concerning the potential supplier.
Hydrodog will then determine, within a reasonable time not exceeding 30 calendar days, whether the supplier meets their criteria for approval. Hydrodog may prescribe procedures for submitting requests for approval and the obligations that approved suppliers must assume. Hydrodog retains the sole right to decide if any supplier is authorized and can disapprove or refuse to approve any supplier or item.
Franchisees are not allowed to sell any item or order inventory from suppliers or vendors that have not been expressly authorized by Hydrodog. Selling unauthorized products or ordering from unauthorized vendors is grounds for default and/or termination of the Franchise Agreement. This means a Hydrodog franchisee could lose their franchise if they don't adhere to the approved supplier list.
This level of control over suppliers is common in franchising to maintain quality and consistency across all locations. However, it also means that franchisees have limited flexibility in sourcing products and services, and must go through Hydrodog's approval process if they want to use a different supplier.