Is a Carvel franchisee required to participate in market research programs or testing?
Carvel Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Periodically, we will conduct market research and testing to determine consumer trends and the salability of new food or non-food products, equipment and services. You must participate in any market research programs or testing in your Shoppe and provide us with timely reports and any other relevant information we request. You must purchase for your Shoppe a reasonable quantity of the test products, and you must effectively promote and make a reasonable effort to sell test products.
Source: Item 16 — Restrictions on What the Franchisee May Sell (FDD pages 83–84)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Carvel's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to participate in market research programs and testing. Carvel conducts market research and testing to determine consumer trends and the potential success of new food or non-food products, equipment, and services. Franchisees must participate in these programs at their Shoppe and provide timely reports and any other relevant information that Carvel requests.
As part of this participation, franchisees are required to purchase a reasonable quantity of the test products for their Shoppe. They must also actively promote and make a reasonable effort to sell these test products to customers. This ensures that Carvel can gather accurate data on consumer response to the new offerings.
This requirement ensures that Carvel can stay current with consumer preferences and trends, and that new products and services are thoroughly vetted before being rolled out system-wide. For a prospective franchisee, this means being prepared to invest in test products and dedicate resources to promoting them, with the understanding that this participation is essential for the overall success and adaptability of the Carvel brand.