Regarding Carvel's co-branded franchise, does the menu for my Franchised Business have to include all menu items normally offered at a standard Carvel Business?

According to the 2025 Carvel FDD, if you operate a co-branded Carvel franchise, your menu might not have to include all the items that are normally available at a standard Carvel location. The FDD specifies that the menu for your co-branded franchise may also include items that are unique to "Swirl Businesses," which are Carvel locations co-branded with Cinnabon.

This means that as a franchisee, you should be prepared to offer a potentially different, possibly smaller, selection of Carvel products than a traditional Carvel store. You may also need to incorporate menu items specific to the co-branding arrangement. This could affect your inventory management, marketing strategies, and staff training, as you'll need to accommodate the specific requirements of the co-branded menu.

It is important to note that the FDD indicates that you must operate the Franchised Business in strict compliance with the Standards that Carvel specifies from time to time for Swirl Businesses, which may materially differ from the Standards for a standard Carvel Business. As a franchisee, you must comply with the most stringent duties and obligations set forth in the franchise agreements of both concepts. Therefore, it is crucial to fully understand the menu and operational requirements for co-branded locations before entering into a franchise agreement.