To whom do I pay the initial franchise fee for a Carvel Full Shoppe franchise?
Carvel Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
$5,000 | $15,000 | As incurred | Before opening | Vendors | | Additional Funds - 3 | $32,500 | $50,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Us, employees, vendors, etc. | | Months 22 | | | | | | | Total Initial Investment 23 | $392,375 | $785,850 | | | |
YOUR ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT: EXPRESS SHOPPE
| Amount of E | xpenditure | When | To Whom |
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Source: Item 7 — Estimated Initial Investment (FDD pages 42–52)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Carvel's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the initial franchise fee is paid directly to Carvel. The initial franchise fee for a Carvel Full Shoppe ranges from $10,500 to $10,500. This fee is paid in a lump sum when you sign the Franchise Agreement.
It's important to note that for Co-Branded Shoppes, the initial franchise fee covers fees paid both to Carvel and to Cinnabon, if applicable. The FDD specifies that for Co-Branded Shoppes, $30,500 is paid to Carvel and $30,500 is paid to Cinnabon. However, the provided excerpt focuses on the standard Carvel franchise and not the co-branded arrangement.
Prospective franchisees should be aware that this initial franchise fee is generally non-refundable. It is a standard practice in franchising for the initial fee to be paid directly to the franchisor to grant the franchisee the rights to operate under the brand.