Check out Aziz Hashim's most recent article published in Franchising World Magazine (October 2010).  In his article, "Want Leverage? Multi-Unit Franchisees Deliver Substantial Savings", Aziz discusses multiple ways to optimize vendor relationships.  Read it (pages 39-42) at: http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/Franchise/?href=FWM/2010/10/01