What evidence must a Crave franchisee provide to show that a site satisfies Crave's site selection guidelines before an on-site evaluation?
Crave Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Site Selection: You must assume all costs, liabilities, expenses, and responsibility for locating, obtaining, and developing a site for the Restaurant and for constructing and equipping the Restaurant at the approved site. You will select the site for the Restaurant subject to our approval and using our site selection criteria. Before you lease or purchase the site for the Restaurant, you must locate a site that satisfies our site selection guidelines. If we deem it necessary, we will conduct one on-site evaluation, but before we conduct the evaluation you must submit to us in the form we specify a description of the site, including evidence that the site satisfies our site selection guidelines, together with other information and materials that we may reasonably require, including a letter of intent or other evidence that confirms your favorable prospects for obtaining the site. We have the right to approve deviations from our site selection standards based on the individual factors and components of a particular site.
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, before Crave conducts an on-site evaluation of a potential restaurant location, the franchisee must first submit a description of the site. This description must be in a format specified by Crave and include evidence that the site meets Crave's site selection guidelines. Additionally, the franchisee must provide any other information and materials that Crave reasonably requires. This includes a letter of intent or other documentation confirming the franchisee's favorable prospects for obtaining the site.
Crave's site selection criteria include factors such as the location and setting of the site (e.g., free-standing building, shopping center), parking availability, visibility from main roads, signage availability, co-tenants, nearby businesses, accessibility, the condition of the premises and necessary construction, proximity to competitors, utility availability, and the area's population and median income. Crave retains the right to approve deviations from these standards based on the specific characteristics of a site.
This process is important for prospective Crave franchisees because it outlines the steps and requirements for securing an appropriate location. Franchisees bear the costs and responsibilities for site selection, development, construction, and equipping the restaurant. The franchisee has 90 days from signing the Franchise Agreement to submit all required site information. Crave then has 30 days to approve or decline the proposed site. Failure to obtain approval within the timeframe could lead to termination of the Franchise Agreement. This highlights the importance of thorough site research and timely submission of required documentation to Crave.