Under what conditions can a Southern Steer franchisee offer catering or delivery services?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ired to add such equipment and make such alterations, at Your expense, as may be necessary to equip Your Southern Steer Business for sale of such food products, beverages, goods and services as We may require. You may need to make an additional investment to do so.
You are not limited to whom You may sell food products, beverages, goods and services but You may not sell any of the food products, beverages, goods and services offered in connection with Your Southern Steer Business on a wholesale basis, at any location other than Your Southern Steer Business (except in the food trailer as described in ITEM 12), or through Internet, catalogue, mail order, or any other method of sales or distribution. Additionally, You may only offer catering or delivery services in Your Protected Area with Our prior written approval and then only according to Our standards and specifications. Additionally, We may authorize You to offer certain Products on a wholesale basis to restaurants located in Your Protected Area in accordance with Our standards and specifications.
We require You, if permitted by applicable law, to participate in a gift card or other customer loyalty program in accordance with the provisions either set forth in the Brand Manual or otherwise disclosed to You. In order to participate, You will be required to purchase additional equipment and pay any fees applicable to the use of that equipment. We have the right to determine how the amount of the gift cards or loyalty cards will be divided or otherwise accounted for, and We reserve the right to retain the amount of any unredeemed gift cards.
ITEM.
Source: Item 16 — ITEM. 16 RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT THE FRANCHISEE MAY SELL (FDD pages 42–43)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Southern Steer's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee may offer catering or delivery services within their protected area only with prior written approval from Southern Steer. These services must also adhere to the standards and specifications set by Southern Steer. Southern Steer retains the right to withdraw its approval for these services with 30 days' prior written notice to the franchisee. All catering and delivery services must comply with Southern Steer's standards, policies, and requirements as detailed in the Brand Manual or otherwise provided in writing by Southern Steer.
Southern Steer also reserves the right to require franchisees to participate in a third-party delivery service program. This means that franchisees may need to use a specific delivery service chosen or approved by Southern Steer, and comply with the requirements of that program.
These stipulations are fairly typical in franchising, as they allow Southern Steer to maintain quality control and consistency across all franchise locations. A prospective franchisee should carefully review the Brand Manual and any written communications from Southern Steer to fully understand the specific requirements and standards for catering and delivery services. It would be prudent to discuss the specifics of these requirements, including any associated costs or operational changes, with Southern Steer during the due diligence process.