What is the Crave franchisee's obligation regarding the submission of a description of the site 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.
You must have located and submitted to us, for our review, all information we require regarding the site you propose for your Restaurant no later than 90 days after you have signed the Franchise Agreement. We will have 30 days after we receive all the required information and materials from you to approve or decline the proposed site as the location for your Crave Restaurant. If we do not provide our specific approval of a proposed site, the site is deemed not approved.
We will provide you with our current written site selection guidelines and any other site selection counseling and assistance we think is advisable. Our criteria for site selection include: location of the site and its setting (free-standing building, shopping center, shopping mall, downtown location, etc.); availability of parking; visibility from main roads; availability, size and placement of signage; co-tenants in the shopping center or immediate area; other businesses in the immediate area; accessibility to the site; condition of the premises and how much build-out or construction it will need; proximity to competitive businesses; availability of utilities; and base population and median income in the immediate area. We will use these and other factors in determining the suitability of your proposed site for a Crave Restaurant.
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, a prospective franchisee must submit a detailed site description before Crave conducts an on-site evaluation. 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 may include a letter of intent or other documentation confirming favorable prospects for obtaining the site.
This requirement ensures that Crave can efficiently assess the suitability of the proposed location before committing resources to an on-site visit. By providing comprehensive information upfront, the franchisee enables Crave to make an informed decision about whether the site aligns with its criteria. This process helps to minimize wasted time and resources for both parties.
The franchisee is responsible for all costs associated with locating, obtaining, and developing the site. The franchisee must locate a site that satisfies Crave's site selection guidelines, and Crave has the right to approve deviations from these standards based on the specific characteristics of the site. The franchisee must submit all required site information to Crave for review within 90 days of 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 not approved.
Crave provides written site selection guidelines and other counseling to assist franchisees in this process. These guidelines consider factors such as location type, parking availability, visibility, signage, co-tenants, nearby businesses, accessibility, condition of the premises, proximity to competitors, utilities, population base, and median income. Crave uses these factors to determine the suitability of the proposed site for a Crave Restaurant.