What do the Proprietary Goods include for a Carvel franchise?
Carvel Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must purchase all of your requirements of Proprietary Ingredients, Proprietary Products, and proprietary uniforms, signs, menu boards, smallwares, materials, supplies, paper goods, equipment, and packaging (collectively, the "Proprietary Goods") from us, our affiliates, or our designated Approved Suppliers. The Proprietary Goods include printed paper, paper products, and plastic products bearing our Proprietary Marks (including, for example, dishes, containers, cartons, bags, napkins, and packaging supplies). We may require you to purchase certain trademarked product lines consisting of t-shirts, apparel, mugs and other merchandise and products bearing the Proprietary Marks ("Trademarked Product Lines") from us, our affiliates, or our designated Approved Suppliers. In addition, if we conduct test marketing to determine consumer trends and the salability of new food or non-food products and services, you may be required to purchase a reasonable quantity of test products we specify from designated Approved Suppliers.
Source: Item 8 — Restrictions on Sources of Products and Services (FDD pages 52–56)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Carvel's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must purchase all Proprietary Goods from Carvel, its affiliates, or designated Approved Suppliers. These Proprietary Goods encompass a range of essential items necessary for operating a Carvel Shoppe.
The Proprietary Goods include printed paper, paper products, and plastic products that bear Carvel's Proprietary Marks. This specifically includes items such as dishes, containers, cartons, bags, napkins, and packaging supplies, ensuring that all branded materials meet Carvel's standards.
Carvel may also require franchisees to purchase certain trademarked product lines, such as t-shirts, apparel, mugs, and other merchandise that feature the Proprietary Marks, from Carvel, its affiliates, or designated Approved Suppliers. Additionally, franchisees may be required to purchase reasonable quantities of test products from designated Approved Suppliers if Carvel conducts test marketing to assess consumer trends and the salability of new food or non-food products and services.