Franchise supply query.

[Drawweight]

I'm not going into too much detail but I will if it makes a difference to the answer.

I have a franchise (milkman) where I must sell the franchisers products, which is fair enough and the whole point of a franchise.

Now if those products changed significantly (from glass bottled milk to plastic cartons) to the point where the customers do not want them in the same quantities and it endangered my livelihood would there be anything I could do about it? Bearing in mind it would be nearly impossible to source another supply at a reasonable price.

I tend to think they'd say 'milk is milk' and too bad.

Any idea on the legal position bearing in mind my franchise agreement is not specific about what I am supplied with?

[ChrisNic]

Sounds like they are trying to milk the situation tbh.

Now I’ve got that out of the way what does your contract state? Are their options to pick up a franchise for another supplier with a more favourable product without loosing a fortune?

[Drawweight]

My contract states that I must sell their products.

There is no real alternative supplier unfortunately and anyway the contract states that the customers belong to the franchiser.

[StevieBee]

Is this a hypothetical question or in anticipation of reality?

Many producers are looking to move away from plastic at the moment - not towards it!

[Cyberprog]

Drawweight said:

My contract states that I must sell their products.

There is no real alternative supplier unfortunately and anyway the contract states that the customers belong to the franchiser.

Just a thought here. I currently buy my milk direct from the farm (http://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/15216970.Earthcott_Green_farm_unveil_milk_vending_machine_at_grand_open_day/), raw unpasteurised, unhomogenized. Deliciously creamy etc.

Now the law allows for farmers to sell direct (which OGFD does via their machine), either at the farm gate or via a delivery service or farmers market. I'd suggest if you're looking for other options within the same market, going into partnership with a local dairy that is doing this already - there's a list of farms here: http://rawmilk.simkin.co.uk/index.html

It has a shorter shelf life, approx 4 days, which will work well with a delivery round I think. HTH.

Edit: You're in scotland so ignore the above - sadly it's been illegal since 1983 to sell raw milk...

Edited by Cyberprog on Monday 12th March 20:31