Who is responsible for the cost of engaging licensed engineers for a Carvel Shoppe?

According to Carvel's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for the cost of engaging licensed engineers for their Carvel Shoppe. The FDD specifies that the franchisee must engage, at their own expense, licensed engineers, such as mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or structural engineers, as necessary or appropriate for the build-out of their Carvel location.

Carvel will provide a sample layout and specifications for the Shoppe and will review the Architectural Plans developed by the franchisee's Architect and engineers. However, Carvel's review is limited to ensuring compliance with their standards and does not assess structural integrity or compliance with applicable laws. After an initial free review and one free review of revised plans incorporating required changes, Carvel may charge a fee of $2,500 for each subsequent review of modified plans.

This means that prospective Carvel franchisees need to budget for the costs of hiring qualified engineers to ensure their Shoppe meets all local codes and design standards. While Carvel offers assistance by reviewing the architectural plans, the ultimate responsibility for compliance and the associated expenses rests with the franchisee. This is a common practice in franchising, where franchisees typically bear the costs of build-out and compliance with local regulations.