For adapting the architectural and design plans for a Crave Restaurant, must I use an architect or designer that Crave has approved or designated?
Crave Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must obtain any architectural, engineering and design services required for the construction of the Restaurant at your own expense from an architectural design firm approved or designated by us. You shall adapt the prototypical architectural and design plans and specifications for construction of the Restaurant provided to you by us in accordance with Section 5.3 as necessary for the construction of the Restaurant and shall submit such adapted plans to us for our review. Such plans must comply with applicable laws (including the Americans with Disabilities Act), ordinances and building codes for the city and state in which the Restaurant will be located. If we determine, in our reasonable discretion, that any such plans are not consistent with the best interests of the System, we may prohibit the implementation of such plans, and in this event will notify you of any objection(s) within ten (10) days of receiving such plans. If we fail to notify you of an objection to the plans within this time period, you may use such plans. If we object to any such plans, we shall provide you with a reasonably detailed list of changes necessary to make the plans acceptable. We shall, upon a re-submission of the plans with such changes, notify you within ten (10) days of receiving the resubmitted plans whether the plans are approved. If we fail to notify you in writing of any objection within such time period, you may use the resubmitted plans. You acknowledge that our review of such plans relates only to compliance with the System and that approval by us of such plans does not constitute a representation, warranty, or guarantee, express or implied, by us that such plans are accurate or free of error concerning their design or structural application, or that such plans comply with any laws, ordinances or building codes applicable to the Accepted Location.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 63–253)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Crave's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must use an architect or design firm that Crave has approved or designated to adapt the architectural and design plans for their restaurant. Crave will provide franchisees with prototypical architectural and design plans, which the franchisee must then adapt at their own expense.
The adapted plans must comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, and building codes. Franchisees are required to submit these adapted plans to Crave for review. Crave has the right to prohibit the implementation of any plans that they determine are not consistent with the best interests of the Crave system. Crave will notify the franchisee of any objections within ten days of receiving the plans. If Crave fails to provide an objection within the specified time, the franchisee can proceed with the plans.
If Crave objects to the plans, they will provide a detailed list of necessary changes. Upon resubmission of the plans with the required changes, Crave will again review and notify the franchisee of their approval or objection within ten days. Again, if Crave fails to respond within this period, the franchisee may use the resubmitted plans. Crave's review of the plans is limited to compliance with the Crave system, and their approval does not guarantee the accuracy, error-free design, or compliance with local laws and codes.