Can Carvel authorize others to advertise using the Carvel Marks anywhere?

According to Carvel's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Carvel and its affiliates have the right to authorize others to advertise using the Carvel Marks anywhere. This right extends to advertising both inside and outside of any designated Area of Protection a franchisee may have. This means that Carvel retains significant control over the brand's advertising and marketing efforts.

For a prospective franchisee, this implies that Carvel can authorize advertising campaigns that may or may not directly benefit their specific location. While this could broaden brand awareness, it also means that franchisees do not have exclusive rights to the marketing within their territory. Carvel could allow third parties, such as supermarkets or delivery services, to advertise Carvel products, potentially impacting the franchisee's customer base.

This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, where the franchisor maintains control over brand standards and marketing strategies to ensure consistency across the entire system. However, franchisees should be aware that they do not have control over who Carvel allows to advertise using the Carvel Marks and should inquire about Carvel's advertising plans and how they support franchisees.