What is Crave's obligation regarding establishing other outlets in the Development Area?
Crave Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 4.2 Provided you are in full compliance with all the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including without limitation your development obligations described in Section 3.2 and the Minimum Performance Schedule, and you are in full compliance with all of your obligations under all franchise agreements executed pursuant to this Agreement, then during the term of this Agreement neither we nor any of our affiliates will develop or operate or grant franchises for the development or operation of Franchised Businesses within the Development Area, except the franchises that are granted to you pursuant to this Agreement and except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement.
- 4.3 Upon the termination or expiration of this Agreement, we and our affiliates shall have the right to develop and operate, and to grant to others development rights and franchises to develop and operate, dedicated Crave outlets within the Development Area subject only to the territorial rights granted to you with respect to Franchised Businesses operated by you pursuant to the Franchise Agreements and subject, further, to the right of first refusal described in Section 6 below.
- 4.4 We and our affiliates retain all rights not expressly granted to you with respect to Crave outlets, the Marks and the sale of any goods and services, anywhere in the world, including, without limitation, the right:
- 4.4.1 to produce, offer and sell and to grant others the right to produce, offer and sell the products offered at dedicated Crave outlets and any other goods displaying the Marks or other trade and service marks through alternative distribution channels, as described below, both within and outside the Development Area, and under any terms and conditions we deem appropriate. "Alternative distribution channels" include, but are not limited to, the internet, catalog sales, grocery stores, club stores, specialty food stores, telemarketing or other direct marketing sales;
- 4.4.2 to operate and to grant others the right to operate dedicated Crave outlets located outside the Development Area under any terms and conditions we deem appropriate and regardless of proximity to a Franchised Business;
- 4.4.3 to operate and to grant others the right to operate dedicated Crave outlets at Non-Traditional Sites within and outside the Development Area under any terms and conditions we deem appropriate, subject to the right of first refusal described in Section 6.2; and
- 4.4.4 to acquire and operate a business operating one or more restaurants or food service businesses located or operating in the Development Area, except that these businesses will not operate using the Proprietary Marks.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 63–253)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Crave's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Crave and its affiliates are restricted from developing, operating, or franchising other Crave businesses within the Development Area during the agreement's term, provided the franchisee is fully compliant with the agreement's terms, including development obligations and the Minimum Performance Schedule. This protection is limited to dedicated Crave outlets and does not extend to alternative distribution channels.
However, upon termination or expiration of the agreement, Crave reserves the right to develop, operate, and franchise Crave outlets within the Development Area, subject to the franchisee's territorial rights for their existing Franchised Businesses and a right of first refusal. Crave also retains rights to operate Crave outlets at Non-Traditional Sites within and outside the Development Area, again subject to the right of first refusal.
Crave also retains the right to produce, offer, and sell products through alternative distribution channels such as the internet, catalog sales, grocery stores, and telemarketing, both within and outside the Development Area. Additionally, Crave can acquire and operate businesses in the Development Area that do not use Crave's Proprietary Marks. This means that while Crave provides some territorial protection during the agreement, it retains significant flexibility to operate and license other businesses, including competing channels, especially after the agreement ends.