Does HydroDog have to provide its standards and specifications to the proposed supplier?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If we require you to use an approved supplier for a particular item, but you wish to purchase the item from a supplier that we have not approved, you may submit a written request for approval of the supplier, unless it is an item for which we have designated a particular vendor as the source for the particular product or service. We will provide our standards and specifications to you or to the proposed supplier, subject to the supplier's execution of a confidentiality agreement in a form acceptable to us. We have the
right to inspect the proposed supplier's facilities and to require delivery of product samples either to us or to an independent laboratory designated by us for testing. You may be required to pay a fee, which will not exceed our reasonable costs incurred in evaluating the supplier, regardless of whether or not we approve the supplier. You may not purchase, sell, or offer for sale any products or services of the proposed supplier until you receive our written approval of the proposed supplier. We will notify you of approval or disapproval of the proposed supplier within 30 days after receiving your request and completion of evaluation and testing, if required. Our failure to respond within this timeframe shall not constitute approval of the proposed supplier. You may not sell or offer for sale any products or services of the proposed supplier until you receive our written approval.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 18–21)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to HydroDog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee wants to use a supplier that is not already approved, HydroDog will provide its standards and specifications to either the franchisee or the proposed supplier. However, the supplier must first agree to a confidentiality agreement that is acceptable to HydroDog.
HydroDog also has the right to inspect the supplier's facilities and ask for product samples for testing, which may be done by HydroDog or an independent lab. The franchisee might have to pay a fee to cover the costs of evaluating the supplier, regardless of whether HydroDog approves the supplier or not. The franchisee cannot buy or sell any products or services from the proposed supplier until they get written approval from HydroDog.
HydroDog will notify the franchisee of the approval or disapproval within 30 days after receiving the request and completing the evaluation and testing, if required. If HydroDog doesn't respond within this 30-day timeframe, it doesn't mean the supplier is approved. The franchisee still needs written approval before using the supplier. This process ensures that all suppliers meet HydroDog's standards before their products or services are used in the HydroDog business.