Can a Southern Steer franchisee accept and fill electronically-submitted orders?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ng by the Franchisor or in the Brand Manual and will offer and sell all of the required Foods, Beverages and Products specified by the Franchisor in writing or in the Brand Manual. The Franchisee will maintain sufficient inventories to realize the full potential of the Southern Steer Business and will conform to all customer service standards prescribed by the Franchisor. The Franchisee will only sell the Foods, Beverages and Products on a retail basis and will not offer or sell the Foods, Beverages and Products: (a) on a wholesale basis, except as provided for by Franchisor in writing; (b) on a retail basis at any other location, except as provided for by Franchisor in writing; (c) by means of the Internet, catalogue or mail order sales, provided that the Franchisee will have the right to accept and fill electronicallysubmitted orders for Foods, Beverages and Products provided at the Franchised Location; or (d) by any other method of distribution. The Franchisor does not represent that any of the Foods, Beverages and Products will be available to the Franchisee in any particular market area or that any pricing or payment terms extended by any supplier to the Franchisor or any of its Affiliates will be offered to the Franchisee. The Franchisee will comply with the Franchisor's requirements for the retail prices charged to consumers by the Franchisee for certain Foods, Beverages and Products as designated by the Franchisor from time to time.
Source: Item 22 — ITEM. 22 CONTRACTS (FDD pages 61–168)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Southern Steer Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees do have the right to accept and fulfill electronically-submitted orders for foods, beverages, and products, but only if those items are provided at the franchised location. This means a franchisee can process online orders that are picked up or fulfilled directly from their physical store.
However, Southern Steer franchisees are explicitly restricted from selling foods, beverages, and products through the internet, catalogs, or mail order sales, unless the franchisor provides written permission. This clause ensures that franchisees do not engage in broader online sales activities without the express consent of Southern Steer, maintaining control over brand representation and distribution channels.
Southern Steer also reserves the right to establish and/or facilitate a branded digital ordering, third-party delivery services and payment software platform. The franchisee agrees to participate in such a system if Southern Steer establishes one. Southern Steer also reserves the right to modify or discontinue any such online ordering/delivery system once it has been established.