Is a Carvel franchisee allowed to provide delivery services through any third-party service (TPS) or are there restrictions?
Carvel Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We require you to provide delivery services and you must do so in accordance with any restrictions and guidelines that we may establish in the Manuals or otherwise in writing. If we allow (by written consent), or if we require, you to provide catering services, you must do so in accordance with any restrictions and guidelines that we may establish in the Manuals or otherwise in writing. You may only provide delivery services through a TPS that we approve or designate. If a TPS is unavailable to provide delivery services for your Shoppe, you may not be required to offer delivery services, subject to our written approval. We, our affiliates, or our franchisees may provide delivery services and catering services anywhere, including near your Shoppe. We reserve the right to revise and/or make exceptions to our delivery services and catering services policies as they apply to you and our other franchisees.
Source: Item 12 — Territory (FDD pages 74–79)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Carvel's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to provide delivery services, adhering to any guidelines Carvel establishes in its manuals or in writing. A Carvel franchisee can only use a third-party service (TPS) for deliveries if Carvel approves or designates that specific TPS.
If an approved TPS is not available for a franchisee's shop, the franchisee might not be required to offer delivery services, but this is subject to Carvel's written approval. Carvel retains the right to modify its delivery service policies for franchisees.
Carvel, its affiliates, and other franchisees can provide delivery services anywhere, including near a franchisee's shop. This means that while franchisees are obligated to offer delivery services, Carvel maintains control over which third-party services can be used and reserves the right to provide delivery services themselves or through other franchisees, potentially creating competition.