What does Carvel provide regarding the Shoppe layout and specifications?
Carvel Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
in any way be our endorsement of such Architect or render us liable for such Architect's performance or such Architect's compliance with professional design standards or adherence to local codes. You also must engage, at your expense, licensed engineers (e.g., mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or structural engineers), as necessary or appropriate. (Franchise Agreement, Section 6.2.A.(i))
- 6. Plans and Build-out. We will provide a sample layout and specifications for the Shoppe. We will review the Architectural Plans developed by your Architect and engineers. Our review of the Architectural Plans is limited to ensuring your compliance with our Standards and is not designed to assess structural integrity or compliance with applicable laws. After our initial review of your Architectural Plans at no cost and our review of one revised set of Architectural Plans that incorporate our required changes at no cost, we may charge a fee of $2,500 for each set of drawings we review that include any other modifications from the plans that we have previously accepted. We must accept your Architectural Plans in writing prior to you submitting them for permits and beginning construction. During the construction process, we may inspect your Shoppe or photographs that you provide to verify that it complies with the Architectural Plans and our Standards, and we may charge you a $2,500 on-site inspection fee if we conduct two or more on-site inspections. You may not open the Shoppe until we provide our consent in writing. (Franchise Agreement, Sections 6.2, 6.3, and 6
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 59–74)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Carvel's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Carvel will provide a sample layout and specifications for the Shoppe. The franchisee is responsible for engaging licensed engineers at their own expense as necessary. Carvel will review the architectural plans developed by the franchisee's architect and engineers to ensure compliance with Carvel's standards. However, this review is limited to compliance with standards and does not assess structural integrity or legal compliance.
Carvel offers an initial review of the architectural plans at no cost, as well as a review of one revised set of plans incorporating required changes, also at no cost. However, Carvel may charge a fee of $2,500 for each subsequent set of drawings reviewed that include modifications from previously accepted plans. The franchisee must receive written acceptance of the architectural plans from Carvel before submitting them for permits and beginning construction.
During construction, Carvel may inspect the Shoppe or photographs to verify compliance with the architectural plans and standards. If Carvel conducts two or more on-site inspections, the franchisee may be charged a $2,500 on-site inspection fee. The franchisee cannot open the Shoppe until Carvel provides written consent. Carvel will also furnish franchisees with specifications for goods to the extent that they publish such specifications and will identify approved suppliers for all goods required to be used in the Shoppe.