What must a Carvel franchisee do before using materials on which any of the Marks appear?

According to Carvel's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee must obtain prior written approval from Carvel before using any materials displaying Carvel's trademarks (the Marks). This approval can be revoked by Carvel at any time, provided they give reasonable notice. This requirement extends to all materials, not just those used in advertising.

This stipulation ensures that Carvel maintains control over its brand image and how its trademarks are displayed. The written approval process allows Carvel to review and approve each use of its Marks, ensuring consistency and quality across all franchise locations. This protects the brand's reputation and prevents franchisees from using the Marks in ways that could be detrimental to the brand.

For a prospective Carvel franchisee, this means that all materials, including signage, forms, advertising, supplies, employee uniforms, and business cards, must be submitted to Carvel for approval before use. This process may add time to marketing efforts and require careful planning to ensure compliance. Franchisees should factor in potential delays related to approval times when developing marketing campaigns or ordering branded materials. It is also important to stay informed of any changes to Carvel's brand standards, as the franchisor can modify these standards and revoke approvals with reasonable notice.