What is the process for a Crave franchisee to request approval of a new product or supplier?
Crave Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ary goods, services or equipment be paid to us or any affiliate that we may designate. If we do so, then you hereby acknowledge that you will not assert any interest in such monies.
7.5 Operation of Franchised Business in Compliance with Our Standards
To ensure that the highest degree of quality and service is maintained, you shall operate the Franchised Business in strict conformity with such of our methods, standards and specifications set forth in the Manual and as may from time to time otherwise be prescribed in writing. In particular, you also agree:
- 7.5.1 To sell or offer for sale all menu items, products and services required by us and in the method, manner and style of distribution prescribed by us and only as expressly authorized by us in writing in the Manual or otherwise in writing.
- 7.5.2 To sell and offer for sale only the menu items, products and services that have been expressly approved for sale in writing by us; to refrain from deviating from our standards and specifications without our prior written consent; and to discontinue selling and offering for sale any menu items, products or services which we may, in our sole discretion, disapprove in writing at any time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, 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; and to refrain from installing or permitting to be installed on or about the Franchised
Business premises, without our prior written consent, any fixtures, furnishings, equipment, delivery vehicles, décor items, signs, games, vending machines or other items not previously approved as meeting our standards and specifications. If any of the property described above is leased by you from a third party, such lease shall be approved by us, in writing, prior to execution.
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 strict standards regarding the products they sell and the suppliers they use. Crave franchisees are required to sell or offer for sale only menu items, products, and services that have been expressly approved in writing by Crave. They must also refrain from deviating from Crave's standards and specifications without prior written consent. If Crave disapproves of any menu items, products, or services in writing, franchisees must discontinue selling or offering them.
To ensure quality and uniformity, Crave retains control over the production and distribution of proprietary products. Franchisees must purchase all requirements for these proprietary products solely from Crave or a source designated by Crave. They must also purchase other merchandise identifying the Crave system, such as logoed merchandise and promotional products, from Crave or its designated supplier in amounts sufficient to satisfy customer demand.
If a franchisee wants to introduce a new concept, process, recipe, product, service, or improvement, they are required to promptly notify Crave and provide all related information. The franchisee must also sign any documents necessary for Crave to obtain full proprietary rights to such improvements without compensation or claim of ownership. Any such improvements become the property of Crave, which may use or disclose the information to other franchisees as it deems appropriate.
If a franchisee wishes to use a new supplier, Crave reserves the right to inspect the supplier's facilities and require samples for testing, either by Crave or an independent laboratory. Crave may re-inspect the facilities and products of any approved supplier and revoke approval if the supplier fails to meet Crave's criteria. Crave does not guarantee approval of any particular supplier. Crave also has the right to receive payments from approved suppliers in the form of rebates based on sales to franchisees and may direct that supplier rebates for non-proprietary goods be paid to Crave or its affiliate.