Who has Carvel entered into a management agreement with to provide certain support and services to Carvel franchisees?

According to the 2025 Carvel Franchise Disclosure Document, Carvel has entered into a management agreement with GoTo Foods. As per Item 11, GoTo Foods will provide certain support and services to Carvel franchisees. The FDD also states that GoTo Foods may delegate some of these responsibilities to CL, the previous franchisor of Carvel franchises, or other affiliates. However, Carvel remains responsible for all support and services required under the Franchise Agreement.

For a prospective franchisee, this means that while GoTo Foods will be the primary entity providing support, the franchisee can expect that Carvel is ultimately accountable for ensuring all necessary support and services are delivered as outlined in the franchise agreement. It also introduces the possibility of interacting with CL or other affiliates of GoTo Foods for certain aspects of support.

This type of arrangement is not uncommon in franchising, where a parent company or management group oversees multiple brands. It is important for a prospective franchisee to understand the roles and responsibilities of each entity involved to ensure clear lines of communication and accountability. The franchisee should confirm with Carvel the specific support functions handled by GoTo Foods, CL, and any other affiliates to fully understand the support structure.