Is it possible for Crave to modify its standards and specifications?
Crave Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
To make sure that the highest degree of quality and service is maintained, you must operate the Franchised Business in strict conformity with the methods, standards, and specifications that we prescribe in the Manual or otherwise in writing. You must maintain in sufficient supply and use and sell at all times only those food and beverage items, ingredients, products, materials, supplies and paper goods that meet our standards and specifications. All menu items must be prepared in accordance with the recipes and procedures specified in the Manual or other written materials. You must not deviate from these standards and specifications by the use or offer of non-conforming items, or differing amounts of any items, without obtaining our written consent first. We can, and expect to, modify our standards and specifications as we deem necessary. We will provide you notice in the Manual or otherwise in writing (such as via email) of any changes in our standards and/or specifications.
You must 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 free of charge for testing by us or by an independent laboratory to determine whether the samples meet our then-current standards and specifications. In addition to any other remedies we may have, we may require you to reimburse our costs for the testing if we have not previously approved the supplier of the item or if the sample fails to conform to our specifications.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 26–30)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Crave's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Crave can modify its standards and specifications as it deems necessary. Crave will notify franchisees of any changes in writing, such as in the Confidential Operations Manual or via email. This includes standards for fixtures, furnishings, equipment, décor items, signs, food and beverage items, ingredients, products, materials, supplies, and paper goods.
This means that a prospective Crave franchisee must be prepared for changes to the operational requirements of the franchise. These changes could affect the franchisee's costs, as they may need to purchase new equipment or supplies to comply with the updated standards. It is important for franchisees to stay informed of any changes communicated by Crave and to adapt their business practices accordingly.
Crave also requires franchisees to allow them or their agents to remove samples of food or non-food items from the franchisee's inventory for testing to ensure compliance with the current standards. If the samples fail to meet Crave's specifications or if the supplier has not been previously approved, the franchisee may be required to reimburse Crave for the testing costs. This highlights the importance of using only approved suppliers and maintaining the quality of products used in the Crave franchise.
This level of control over standards and specifications is common in franchising to maintain brand consistency and quality across all locations. However, it also means that franchisees have limited autonomy in choosing their own products and suppliers, and they must be prepared to adapt to changes implemented by the franchisor.