What is a 'Designated Supplier' for a Southern Steer franchise?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 30.14.
Designated Supplier. "Designated Supplier" will mean a supplier, vendor or distributor designated by the Franchisor in writing as the Franchisee's only source for those foods, food items, recipe ingredients, proprietary products, other products and services used or sold in the Southern Steer Business that the Franchisor has determined must meet certain quality and uniformity standards to protect the valuable goodwill and uniformity associated with the Marks and the System.
Source: Item 22 — ITEM. 22 CONTRACTS (FDD pages 61–168)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Southern Steer's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a 'Designated Supplier' is defined as a supplier, vendor, or distributor that the Franchisor has designated in writing as the only source for specific items. These items include foods, food items, recipe ingredients, proprietary products, and other products and services used or sold in the Southern Steer Business.
The purpose of using Designated Suppliers is to ensure that these items meet certain quality and uniformity standards. This helps to protect the goodwill and uniformity associated with the Southern Steer brand's trademarks and overall system.
Southern Steer may also be a Designated Supplier or manufacturer of certain required or non-required items. Franchisees must purchase certain items from Designated Suppliers, and the list of these suppliers can be updated or modified by Southern Steer from time to time. If a franchisee wants to use a different supplier, they must obtain written approval from Southern Steer, and the proposed supplier must meet certain standards and specifications.