How must a Crave franchisee and its Principals treat the Manual and other written directives from Crave?
Crave Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
going, you understand and agree that we have the right, in our sole discretion, to grant to certain Crave businesses variances from our standard menu to accommodate regional or local tastes or ingredients, and that nothing in this Agreement requires us to grant to you a similar variance.
- 7.5.3 To maintain in sufficient supply and to use and sell at all times only such food and beverage items, ingredients, other products, materials, merchandise, supplies and paper goods that conform to our standards and specifications; to prepare all menu items in accordance with our recipes and procedures for preparation contained in the Manual or other written directives, including, but not limited to, the prescribed measurements of ingredients; and to refrain from deviating from our standards and specifications by the use or offer of non-conforming items or differing amounts of any items, without our prior written consent.
- 7.5.4 To permit us or our agents, during normal business hours, to remove a reasonable number of samples of food or non-food items from your inventory or from the Franchised Business, without payment therefor, in amounts reasonably necessary for testing by us or an independent laboratory to determine whether such samples meet our then-current standards and specifications. In addition to any other remedies we may have under this Agreement, we may require you to bear the cost of such testing if the supplier of the item has not previously been approved by us or if the sample fails to conform with our reasonable specifications.
- 7.5.5 To purchase or lease and install, at your expense, all fixtures, furnishings, equipment (including point-of-sale and computer hardware and software systems), décor items, signs, delivery vehicles, and related items as we may reasonably direct from time to time in the Manual or otherwise in writing;
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 63–253)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Crave's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must adhere to the standards and specifications outlined in the Crave operations manual and other written directives. Specifically, franchisees must maintain a sufficient supply of food and beverage items that conform to Crave's standards, prepare all menu items according to the recipes and procedures in the manual, and refrain from deviating from these standards without prior written consent from Crave. This ensures consistency across all Crave locations and protects the brand's reputation.
Crave franchisees are required to purchase or lease and install all fixtures, furnishings, equipment, décor items, signs, delivery vehicles, and related items as directed by Crave in the manual or in writing. This includes point-of-sale and computer hardware and software systems. Franchisees cannot install or permit the installation of any unapproved items. This level of control allows Crave to maintain a uniform brand image and operational efficiency across all franchise locations.
Furthermore, any individual (Covenantor) who has access to Crave's confidential information, including the contents of the operations manual, must maintain the confidentiality of this information. They cannot disclose or copy any documents containing confidential information without Crave's written permission and must surrender all materials containing confidential information upon request or termination of the franchise agreement. This is reinforced by a confidentiality and non-compete agreement, highlighting the importance Crave places on protecting its proprietary information and system.