Does Chocolate Bash authorize its employees or representatives to make representations about a franchisee's future financial performance?

According to Chocolate Bash's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, Chocolate Bash does not authorize its employees or representatives to make any representations, either orally or in writing, about a franchisee's future financial performance or the past financial performance of company-owned or franchised outlets.

However, if a prospective franchisee is purchasing an existing Chocolate Bash outlet, the franchisor may provide the actual records of that specific outlet. The FDD advises that if a potential franchisee receives any other financial performance information or projections of future income, they should report it to Chocolate Bash's management, the Federal Trade Commission, and the appropriate state regulatory agencies. The contact person at Chocolate Bash is Rasha Albasha, whose address and phone number are provided in the document.

This policy is typical in franchising, as franchisors generally avoid making income claims unless they have a reasonable basis and include the information in Item 19 of the FDD. This protects both the franchisor and franchisee from unrealistic expectations and potential legal issues. It is important for prospective franchisees to rely on the information provided in the FDD and to conduct their own independent research and due diligence, rather than relying on unauthorized representations.