Must a Carvel Shoppe be operated at the Accepted Location?
Carvel Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
o cancel any scheduled training without at least 14 days' prior notice, or if your trainees are not prepared to successfully participate in any scheduled training, we may charge you a cancellation fee and the cost of conducting the originally scheduled training (including any training fees and any travel and living expenses incurred by our representatives) and require you to pay an additional fee for the rescheduled training.
ITEM 12
TERRITORY
Accepted Location
Your Shoppe may only be operated at the Accepted Location. If we have not yet accepted a site for the Shoppe when we execute the Franchise Agreement, you must select a location that we accept in accordance with our site selection criteria within a site selection area that we specify.
Source: Item 12 — Territory (FDD pages 74–79)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Carvel's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a Carvel Shoppe must be operated at the Accepted Location. The Franchise Agreement licenses franchisees to manufacture and sell approved products at retail only from the Accepted Location. Carvel does not grant any exclusive territory or other territorial rights other than the right to sell approved products at retail from the Shoppe.
Carvel retains rights that are not specifically granted to the franchisee. Carvel may establish or license franchises or company-owned businesses offering similar products using the system under their marks anywhere, including near the franchisee's Accepted Location. Carvel may also produce and sell approved products through alternative channels of distribution, such as supermarkets and e-commerce, located anywhere.
Relocation of a Carvel Shoppe is possible if the franchisee loses the right to operate at the Accepted Location or provides other business justifications, but relocation requires Carvel's advance written approval. To relocate, the franchisee must comply with Carvel's site approval process, be in compliance with all terms of the Franchise Agreement, and have the funds available to relocate the Shoppe and construct a new Shoppe according to Carvel's then-current design standards. Carvel is under no obligation to approve a proposed relocation of the Shoppe. If the franchisee loses the right to occupy the premises, Carvel may terminate the Franchise Agreement.
Outside of catering and delivery services that Carvel may allow or require, franchisees may only sell approved products at retail to customers who are physically present at their Accepted Location. Franchisees may not sell goods through the Internet or any channel of distribution other than their Shoppe without Carvel's written consent. Carvel requires franchisees to provide delivery services in accordance with any restrictions and guidelines that Carvel establishes. Carvel, its affiliates, or its franchisees may provide delivery and catering services anywhere, including near the franchisee's Shoppe.