Does Carvel currently charge franchisees for electronic access to the Manuals?
Carvel Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The Manuals contain mandatory and suggested specifications, standards, and operating procedures. The Manuals are confidential, remain our property, and must be kept secure. The Manuals are currently provided electronically at no cost to you. In the future, the Manuals, or portions of the Manuals, may be provided electronically through the Learning Management System. We may require you to pay a license fee to us, our affiliate, or a vendor in order to use such system. We will give you an opportunity to view the Manuals in the corporate office or at another agreed-upon location before you purchase a franchise, if you so request.
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 59–74)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Carvel's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Manuals, which contain mandatory and suggested specifications, standards, and operating procedures, are currently provided electronically at no cost to franchisees. These manuals are considered confidential and remain the property of Carvel. Franchisees are responsible for keeping them secure.
However, Carvel notes that in the future, the Manuals, or portions thereof, may be provided electronically through a Learning Management System. If this occurs, Carvel may require franchisees to pay a license fee to Carvel, its affiliate, or a vendor to use the system.
Prospective franchisees have the opportunity to review the Manuals at Carvel's corporate office or another agreed-upon location before purchasing a franchise. This allows franchisees to understand the operational requirements and standards before committing to the franchise.