What is the Carls franchisee responsible for regarding construction plans and specifications for the Franchised Restaurant?
Carls Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
5. Furnish you with prototypical plans and specifications for a Carl's Jr. Restaurant, including requirements for dimensions, design image, interior layout, décor, fixtures, equipment, signs, furnishings, storefront and color scheme. (Development Agreement, § 6). It will be your responsibility to have prepared all required construction plans and specifications to suit the shape and dimensions of the location of your Franchised Restaurant ("Franchised Location"), and you must ensure that these plans and specifications comply with applicable ordinances, building codes and permit requirements and with lease requirements and restrictions. You must use only registered architects, registered engineers, and professional and licensed contractors.
We will review the construction plans for the proposed Franchised Restaurant and notify you within 30 days after we receive the plans, or such longer period as we require, whether the plans are approved. (Franchise Agreement, §4.B.).
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 41–54)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Carls's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for creating the construction plans and specifications for their franchised restaurant. Carls will furnish prototypical plans and specifications, including requirements for dimensions, design image, interior layout, décor, fixtures, equipment, signs, furnishings, storefront, and color scheme. However, it is the franchisee's responsibility to adapt these prototypical plans to the specific location.
The franchisee must ensure that the construction plans and specifications comply with all applicable ordinances, building codes, permit requirements, and lease restrictions. To ensure quality and compliance, Carls requires franchisees to use only registered architects, registered engineers, and professional and licensed contractors for this process.
Carls retains the right to review the construction plans for the proposed franchised restaurant. Within 30 days of receiving the plans, or within a longer period if required, Carls will notify the franchisee whether the plans are approved. This review process helps to ensure that the franchisee's plans align with Carls's brand standards and operational requirements.