What is the deadline for a Carvel franchisee to request a renewal term in writing before the expiration of the initial term?
Carvel Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
To obtain the Renewal Term, (i) at all times during the Term, you must have substantially and timely complied with each provision of this Agreement and any other agreements between you and us, our affiliates, or your landlord and you must not have any defaults in existence as of the expiration of the Initial Term, and (ii) you must request, in writing, no earlier than 12 months, but no later than six months before the expiration of the Initial Term, that we grant you a Renewal Term. We will then provide you with an Application for a Renewal Term (an "Application"), which you must complete and return to us within 10 days after we deliver it to you. We will evaluate your Application under substantially the same standards as we evaluate an application for a franchise submitted by a then-new franchisee.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 100–353)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Carvel's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee must request a renewal term in writing no later than six months before the expiration of the initial franchise term. The franchisee must also request this renewal no earlier than 12 months before the initial term expires. This means the request must be made within a 6-month window.
To be eligible for a renewal term, the franchisee must have substantially and timely complied with all provisions of the Franchise Agreement and any other agreements with Carvel, its affiliates, or the franchisee's landlord. Additionally, the franchisee must not have any outstanding defaults at the time of the initial term's expiration. If these conditions are met, Carvel will provide the franchisee with an Application for Renewal Term, which must be completed and returned within 10 days of receipt.
Carvel evaluates the renewal application using standards similar to those applied to new franchise applications. Approval is not guaranteed, even if the franchisee meets the basic requirements. This process ensures that Carvel maintains its brand standards and only renews agreements with franchisees who have a proven track record of compliance and successful operation. The renewal term, if granted, is for an additional 20 years, mirroring the initial term for standard franchise agreements, or 5 years for Express Shoppes and Ice Cream Truck franchises.