Can Crave require a franchisee to use a designated architect/designer for a Crave Restaurant?
Crave Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Your Restaurant must be constructed according to plans that we have approved. We will provide you with sample plans and/or our specifications for a Crave Restaurant. We have the right to designate or approve the architect/designer that you use, and you must use our designated contractor for the build-out of your Restaurant. You must arrange for construction plans to be created that incorporate our requirements into the size and shape of the approved site for your Restaurant. You may not use the plans or begin building out your Restaurant until we have approved the construction plans, and any changes to the construction plans must also be approved by us before the change may be implemented. Our review is not meant to assess compliance with any applicable laws, regulations or building codes, including compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Our review is only to verify that the construction plans accurately present our trade dress, the Marks and meet our specifications. We have the right to inspect your Restaurant while it is being constructed. You may not open your Restaurant for business without our approval.
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, Crave has the right to designate or approve the architect/designer that a franchisee uses for their Crave Restaurant. The franchisee must also use Crave's designated contractor for the build-out of the restaurant.
Crave will provide sample plans and/or specifications for a Crave Restaurant, and the franchisee is responsible for arranging construction plans that incorporate Crave's requirements into the size and shape of the approved site. These construction plans, and any changes to them, must be approved by Crave before implementation.
Crave's review of the plans is to verify that they accurately present Crave's trade dress, the Marks, and meet their specifications, and is not meant to assess compliance with any applicable laws, regulations, or building codes. Crave also has the right to inspect the restaurant during construction, and the franchisee cannot open for business without Crave's approval.