Is a Crave Cookies franchisee allowed to rely on information provided by Crave Cookies Franchising regarding architectural, engineering, or legal matters?

According to Crave Cookies' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are explicitly prohibited from relying on any information or opinions provided by Crave Cookies Franchising or its representatives regarding architectural, engineering, or legal matters during the development and construction of their business. Crave Cookies Franchising also assumes no liability in these areas. This includes, but is not limited to, compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

This stipulation means that franchisees must seek independent professional advice from qualified architects, engineers, and legal counsel. It is the franchisee's responsibility to ensure that their Crave Cookies location complies with all applicable building codes, regulations, and laws. Crave Cookies Franchising's provision of sample building plans and specifications is for guidance only, and franchisees cannot treat it as a substitute for expert advice.

This requirement is a common practice in franchising, intended to protect the franchisor from liability arising from site-specific issues or changes in local regulations. While Crave Cookies Franchising may offer assistance by reviewing potential locations and providing standard building plans, the ultimate responsibility for ensuring compliance and the success of the location rests solely with the franchisee. Franchisees should factor in the costs of retaining these professionals when assessing the overall investment required to open a Crave Cookies franchise.