Is Crave's approval required before a franchisee leases or purchases a site for a Crave Restaurant?
Crave Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must obtain our approval of the site for the Restaurant before you acquire it, and you must also obtain our approval of any contract of sale or lease for the Restaurant before you sign the contract or lease. You must provide us with a copy of the fully signed lease for the Restaurant premises. We may require you and your landlord to sign a Collateral Assignment of Lease which permits us to assume your lease in certain circumstances, including the termination or expiration of your Franchise Agreement (Attachment 2 to the Franchise Agreement).
If you are not able to locate a suitable site for your Restaurant within 90 days after you sign the Franchise Agreement, we may provide you with an extension of this timeframe or we may terminate your Franchise Agreement.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 32–42)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Crave's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must obtain approval from Crave before acquiring a site for a restaurant, and also before signing any contract of sale or lease. Franchisees are responsible for all costs associated with finding and developing a site that meets Crave's site selection criteria. Franchisees must submit a site description and evidence that the site meets Crave's guidelines. Crave may conduct an on-site evaluation if deemed necessary.
The FDD states that franchisees must submit all required site information to Crave for review no later than 90 days after signing the Franchise Agreement. Crave then has 30 days to approve or decline the proposed site. Failure to obtain specific approval from Crave results in the site being deemed unapproved. Crave provides written site selection guidelines, which include factors such as location type (free-standing, shopping center, etc.), parking availability, visibility, signage, co-tenants, nearby businesses, accessibility, condition of the premises, proximity to competitors, utilities, and local demographics.
Crave also requires approval of the municipality in which a Food Truck will operate. Franchisees must submit all required information regarding the proposed municipality within 90 days of signing the Franchise Agreement, and Crave has 30 days to approve or decline the municipality. Criteria for municipality approval include the number and size of shopping centers, malls, business parks, parks, parking availability, other food truck businesses, and population demographics. If a suitable site for a restaurant cannot be located within 90 days after signing the Franchise Agreement, Crave may grant an extension or terminate the agreement.