Are Marble Slab Creamery franchisees required to offer all items designated as mandatory?
Marble_Slab_Creamery Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must offer the specific brand and/or product "mix" that we require in the Manuals determined either by percentage of inventory stocked or percentage of your Restaurant's retail space. We may, in our sole discretion, change these specifications periodically, change the authorized products and services at our discretion, and designate specific products or services as optional or mandatory. You must offer all items that we designate as mandatory. You may sell products only in the varieties, forms, and packages that we have approved. If we revoke approval of a previouslyapproved product that you have been selling, you may continue to sell the product only from your existing inventory for up to 30 days following our disapproval. We have the right to shorten this 30 days if, in our opinion, the continued sale of the product would prove detrimental to our reputation.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 43–49)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Marble Slab Creamery's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must offer all items that Marble Slab Creamery designates as mandatory. Marble Slab Creamery has the discretion to change the authorized products and services and designate specific products or services as optional or mandatory. Franchisees are also required to offer the specific brand and/or product mix that Marble Slab Creamery requires in the manuals, determined either by percentage of inventory stocked or percentage of the restaurant's retail space.
Marble Slab Creamery may periodically modify these specifications. Franchisees are only allowed to sell products in the varieties, forms, and packages that Marble Slab Creamery has approved. If Marble Slab Creamery revokes approval of a previously approved product, franchisees can continue to sell the product only from their existing inventory for up to 30 days following the disapproval. However, Marble Slab Creamery has the right to shorten this 30-day period if the continued sale of the product would prove detrimental to their reputation.
This policy ensures uniformity and quality control across all Marble Slab Creamery locations, which is a common practice in franchising. However, it also means franchisees have limited autonomy over their product offerings and must stay updated on any changes to mandatory items or approved products. Prospective franchisees should consider how this level of control aligns with their entrepreneurial goals and preferences.