Is a Crave franchisee required to sell all menu items that Crave requires?
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.
We have the right to vary the menu items offered at certain Crave Franchised Businesses based on regional or local tastes or ingredients. If we allow a Crave Restaurant or Food Truck to modify its menu to accommodate regional or local tastes or ingredients, we are not required to grant to you a similar variance or modification.
You must keep the Franchised Business exceptionally clean and maintain it in good repair and condition. You must make any additions, alterations, repairs, and replacements, including repainting or
replacement of obsolete signs, furnishings, equipment, and décor as we may reasonably direct. You must not make any changes to the premises without obtaining our written consent before you make the changes. You must obtain and pay for any new or additional equipment, including point-of-sale, computer hardware and software, fixtures, supplies and other products and materials that you must have to offer and sell new menu items from the Franchised Business.
We have the right to determine the maximum prices for the goods, products and services offered from your Franchised Business, as permitted by applicable law. You must comply with the prices required by us, but we make no guarantees or warranties that offering the products or merchandise at the required price will enhance your sales or profits.
Source: Item 16 — RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT THE FRANCHISEE MAY SELL (FDD pages 49–50)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Crave's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to sell all menu items, food products, merchandise, and other products and services that Crave mandates. These items must be offered in the manner and style that Crave requires, including both dine-in and carry-out options, unless expressly authorized otherwise in writing by Crave. Franchisees are restricted to selling only those menu items, products, and services that Crave has explicitly approved in writing.
Crave franchisees must adhere strictly to the brand's standards and specifications, and they cannot deviate from these without prior written consent from Crave. This includes maintaining a sufficient supply of food and beverage items, ingredients, proprietary products, merchandise, and other materials that meet Crave's standards. All menu items must be prepared according to Crave's recipes and procedures, including precise measurements of ingredients, as outlined in the manual or other written instructions.
Crave retains the right to modify the menu items offered at franchised businesses based on regional or local preferences or ingredients. However, if Crave allows a specific restaurant or food truck to adjust its menu, it is not obligated to extend the same variance or modification to other franchisees. Furthermore, Crave has the authority to determine the maximum prices for goods, products, and services offered at the franchised business, as permitted by applicable law, and franchisees must comply with these prices.
These stipulations ensure uniformity across all Crave franchise locations, maintaining brand consistency and quality. However, they also limit the franchisee's autonomy in tailoring the menu to local tastes without explicit approval. Prospective franchisees should consider the implications of these restrictions on their ability to adapt to local market demands and the potential impact on their business.