Under what condition can a Crave franchisee deviate from the standards and specifications for food and beverage items?
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.
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, a franchisee must operate their franchised business in strict accordance with the methods, standards, and specifications prescribed in the manual or in writing. This includes maintaining sufficient supply and using only those food and beverage items that meet Crave's standards.
However, a Crave franchisee can deviate from these standards and specifications for food and beverage items if they first obtain written consent from Crave. This means that if a franchisee wishes to use non-conforming items or differing amounts of any items, they must seek and receive approval from Crave before doing so.
Crave retains the right to modify its standards and specifications as deemed necessary, and will provide notice of any changes in the manual or in writing, such as via email. This ensures that franchisees are kept informed of any updates to the required standards. This requirement is fairly standard in franchising, as it allows the franchisor to maintain quality control and consistency across all locations, while still allowing for some flexibility if a franchisee has a specific need or idea.