What is the purpose of the Refresh/Remodel Site Survey and Design Fee for a Carvel franchise?
Carvel Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Type of Fee1, 4 | Amount | Date Due | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refresh/ Remodel Site Survey and Design Fee | Our then-current fee. Currently, $1,200 to $6,000 depending on the scope of the required changes. | As incurred | You must refresh your Shoppe every five years and must remodel your Shoppe every ten years to meet our then-current Standards. We may require you to pay us, our affiliates, or our designee this fee to inspect your Shoppe and produce a site survey and/or design plan that will comply with these |
Source: Item 6 — OTHER FEES (FDD pages 31–42)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Carvel's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Refresh/Remodel Site Survey and Design Fee is charged to franchisees to cover the costs of inspecting their Shoppe and creating a site survey and/or design plan. This plan ensures the Shoppe complies with Carvel's standards when the franchisee is required to refresh or remodel their location. Carvel mandates that franchisees refresh their Shoppe every five years and remodel every ten years.
The fee itself varies from $1,200 to $6,000, depending on the scope of the changes needed. This fee is paid to Carvel, its affiliates, or its designee as incurred. This means a franchisee should anticipate paying this fee when the time comes for either a refresh or a remodel of their Carvel Shoppe.
This requirement and associated fee are fairly standard in the franchise industry, as franchisors like Carvel need to maintain brand consistency and a certain level of quality across all locations. By requiring periodic refreshes and remodels, and charging a fee for the associated site survey and design plan, Carvel ensures that its franchisees are keeping their locations up to date and in line with the brand's image. Franchisees should factor these costs into their long-term financial planning.