Is a Crave franchisee allowed to deviate from Crave's standards and specifications without written consent?
Crave Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must sell or offer for sale all menu items, food products, merchandise, and other products and services we require, in the manner and style we require, including dine-in and carry-out, as expressly authorized by us in writing. You must sell and offer for sale only the menu items, products, and services that we have expressly approved in writing. You must not deviate from our standards and specifications without first obtaining our written consent. You must discontinue selling and offering for sale any menu items, products, or services that we may disapprove of in writing at any time. We have the right to change the types of menu items, products and services offered by you at the Franchised Business at any time, and there are no limits on our right to make those changes.
You must maintain, in sufficient supply, and use and sell only the food and beverage items, ingredients, proprietary products, merchandise, other products, materials, supplies, and paper goods that conform to our standards and specifications. You must prepare all menu items according to our recipes and procedures for preparation contained in the Manual or other written instructions, including the measurements of ingredients. You must not deviate from our standards and specifications by the use or offer of nonconforming items or differing amounts of any items, without first obtaining our written consent.
Source: Item 16 — RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT THE FRANCHISEE MAY SELL (FDD pages 49–50)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 FDD, Crave franchisees must adhere strictly to the brand's standards and specifications. Deviation from these standards is not permitted without first obtaining written consent from Crave. This requirement extends to all aspects of the business, including menu items, food products, merchandise, and services. Franchisees must sell or offer for sale only items that Crave has expressly approved in writing and in the manner and style that Crave requires.
Crave provides detailed recipes and procedures for preparing menu items, which franchisees must follow precisely, including the measurements of ingredients. The FDD emphasizes that franchisees must maintain a sufficient supply of and use and sell only those food and beverage items, ingredients, and other products that conform to Crave's standards.
While Crave retains the right to vary menu items at certain franchised businesses based on regional or local tastes, this does not automatically extend to all franchisees. If Crave allows a specific location to modify its menu, it is not obligated to grant a similar variance or modification to other franchisees. This ensures consistency across the brand while allowing for limited flexibility in specific markets, at Crave's discretion. The need for written consent underscores Crave's control over brand standards and product consistency, which are critical for maintaining uniformity and customer expectations across all franchise locations.