What kind of microbiological surveillance programs might Jack In The Box impose on suppliers?
Jack_In_The_Box Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The Company requires that suppliers consistently comply with all of the Company's standards, specifications, and contractual expectations. This may include, without limitation, programs, access requirements, third party audit requirements, initial and ongoing sampling requirements and microbiological surveillance programs. We visit and inspect the approved suppliers' facilities on a continuing basis for announced and unannounced inspections, and independently evaluate and test the products the suppliers are producing. Termination of a supplier as an approved supplier occurs by written notice to the supplier. If a supplier is no longer approved, we will notify all approved distributors and may notify individual franchisees. Upon receipt of written notice of a revocation of approval, you must stop selling any unapproved products, and stop buying from the unapproved supplier. The company will determine an appropriate supplier and/or product replacement for you.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 41–46)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Jack In The Box's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, suppliers are expected to consistently meet the company's standards, specifications, and contractual obligations. These expectations may include microbiological surveillance programs. Jack In The Box may conduct both announced and unannounced inspections of the approved suppliers' facilities to ensure compliance. They also independently evaluate and test the products produced by these suppliers.
This means that as a Jack In The Box franchisee, you are required to purchase goods from suppliers that adhere to these strict quality control measures. The company actively monitors these suppliers through various means, including microbiological surveillance, to ensure that the products meet Jack In The Box's standards. This helps to maintain food safety and product quality across all franchise locations.
If a supplier fails to meet Jack In The Box's standards, their approval can be revoked with written notice. In such cases, Jack In The Box will notify its approved distributors and may also inform individual franchisees. Upon receiving notice of a supplier's revoked approval, franchisees must immediately stop selling any products from that supplier and cease making further purchases from them. Jack In The Box will then identify an appropriate replacement supplier or product for the franchisee to use.