Can Carvel specify the signs that franchisees must purchase?
Carvel Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must purchase and install, at your expense, all fixtures, furnishings, equipment (including a Computer System), décor and signs, as we direct. If we modify our menu, we may require you to purchase additional equipment to prepare and store new menu items. You may not install on or about your Shoppe any merchandise, furnishings, interior or exterior décor items, supplies, fixtures, equipment or utensils unless they have been approved by us in writing. You must purchase these items only from an Approved Supplier unless we specify otherwise.
You must purchase all of your requirements of Proprietary Ingredients, Proprietary Products, and proprietary uniforms, signs, menu boards, smallwares, materials, supplies, paper goods, equipment, and packaging (collectively, the "Proprietary Goods") from us, our affiliates, or our designated Approved Suppliers. The Proprietary Goods include printed paper, paper products, and plastic products bearing our Proprietary Marks (including, for example, dishes, containers, cartons, bags, napkins, and packaging supplies).
We have established Standards for many of the Goods that a typical Shoppe uses or offers for sale. To the extent that we establish Standards, require approval of Suppliers, or designate Approved Suppliers for particular Goods, we will publish our requirements in the Manuals or otherwise in writing. We may, at any time, in our discretion, change, delete, or add to any of our specifications or quality Standards. Such modifications, however, will generally be uniform for all franchisees. We will make available to you, via electronic means or otherwise, any changes to our Manuals or Standards.
Currently, except as otherwise detailed above, you may purchase the remainder of the Goods that you use in your Shoppe from any source, as long as the Supplier and the Goods meet our minimum Standards. We may designate any Supplier as ineligible to supply Goods to you in our sole discretion. Further, we may designate one or more Approved Suppliers for any Goods upon written notice to you.
Source: Item 8 — Restrictions on Sources of Products and Services (FDD pages 52–56)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Carvel's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must purchase and install signs as directed by Carvel. These signs, along with fixtures, furnishings, equipment, and décor, must be purchased at the franchisee's expense. Carvel maintains control over the aesthetics of the Shoppe, as franchisees cannot install any merchandise, furnishings, or décor items without written approval from Carvel.
Carvel requires franchisees to purchase proprietary items, including signs, from Carvel, its affiliates, or designated approved suppliers. These proprietary goods also include items bearing Carvel's trademarks, such as printed paper, plastic products, dishes, containers, and packaging. This ensures brand consistency across all Carvel locations.
Carvel has established standards for many of the goods used in a typical Shoppe, and publishes these requirements in its manuals or in writing. Carvel may change, delete, or add to these specifications or quality standards at any time, and will make these changes available to franchisees electronically or otherwise. While franchisees may purchase other goods from any source, Carvel can designate any supplier as ineligible and can designate approved suppliers for any goods with written notice.
Prospective franchisees should confirm with Carvel what specific signage is required at the time of opening their franchise, and what the costs of those signs will be. They should also confirm whether there are options for purchasing signage from different approved vendors, or if Carvel mandates a sole supplier.