Is proficiency in English a requirement for the transferee in a Carvel Control Transfer?

According to Carvel's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a transferee in a Control Transfer must meet Carvel's requirements for approval as a new franchisee, which includes demonstrating proficiency in the English language. This requirement extends not only to the transferee but also to their directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, and managers, as applicable.

This condition ensures that anyone taking over a Carvel franchise has the communication skills necessary to manage the business effectively, interact with customers, and understand training materials. It aligns with common franchising practices where franchisors seek to maintain brand standards and operational efficiency through qualified franchisees.

For a prospective Carvel franchisee, this means that if they plan to sell or transfer their franchise in the future, the potential buyer will need to demonstrate English proficiency. This could limit the pool of potential buyers and should be considered when evaluating the long-term prospects of owning a Carvel franchise. The franchisee should confirm with Carvel what specific standards or tests are used to assess English proficiency to ensure any potential transferee can meet these requirements.