Does Carvel designate or pre-approve architects for the buildout of a Carvel franchise?
Carvel Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
xpense, to complete your buildout, unless we, in our sole discretion, agree in writing to accept a General Contractor that you propose. Our designation, pre-approval, or acceptance of a General Contractor will not in any way be our endorsement of such General Contractor or render us liable for such General Contractor's performance. (Franchise Agreement, Section 6.1.A.)
- 5. Architect. We will designate or pre-approve one or more licensed architects (an "Architect") that you must engage, at your own expense, to develop architectural plans, unless we, in our sole discretion, agree in writing to accept an Architect that you propose. Our designation, pre-approval, or acceptance of an Architect will not in any way be our endorsement of such Architect or render us liable for such Architect's performance or such Architect's compliance with professional design standards or adherence to local codes. You also must engage, at your expense, licensed engineers (e.g., mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or structural engineers), as necessary or appropriate. (Franchise Agreement, Section 6.2.A.(i))
- 6. Plans and Build-out. We will provide a sample layout and specifications for the Shoppe. We will review the Architectural Plans developed by your Architect and engineers. Our review of the Architectural Plans is limited to ensuring your compliance with our Standards and is not designed to assess structural integrity or compliance with applicable laws. After our initial review of your Architectural Plans at no cost and our review of one revised set of Architectural Plans that incorporate our required changes at no cost, we may charge a fee of $2,500 for each set of drawings we review that include any other modifications from the plans that we have previously accepted. We must accept your Architectural Plans in writing prior to you submitting them for permits and beginning constru
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, Carvel will designate or pre-approve one or more licensed architects that franchisees must engage at their own expense to develop architectural plans. However, Carvel may agree in writing to accept an architect that the franchisee proposes.
Carvel's designation, pre-approval, or acceptance of an architect does not constitute an endorsement and does not render Carvel liable for the architect's performance, compliance with professional design standards, or adherence to local codes. The franchisee is also responsible for engaging licensed engineers (e.g., mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or structural engineers) at their own expense, as necessary.
Carvel will provide a sample layout and specifications for the Shoppe and will review the architectural plans developed by the franchisee's architect and engineers to ensure compliance with Carvel's standards. This review is not designed to assess structural integrity or compliance with applicable laws. Carvel offers an initial review of the architectural plans at no cost and a review of one revised set of plans incorporating required changes, also at no cost. However, Carvel may charge a fee of $2,500 for each subsequent set of drawings reviewed that includes modifications from previously accepted plans. The franchisee must receive written acceptance of the architectural plans from Carvel before submitting them for permits and beginning construction.
During construction, Carvel may inspect the Shoppe or photographs to verify compliance with the architectural plans and Carvel's standards. Carvel may charge a $2,500 on-site inspection fee if it conducts two or more on-site inspections. The franchisee cannot open the Shoppe until Carvel provides written consent.