Is a Crave Cookies franchisee allowed to sell any menu items that have not been approved by the franchisor?
Crave_Cookies Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 7.4 Menu. Franchisee shall offer all menu items, beverages, and other products and services, and only those menu items, beverages, and other products and services, from time to time prescribed by Crave Cookies Franchising, LLC in the Manual or otherwise in writing.
- 7.5 Preparation. Franchisee shall follow all recipes prescribed by Crave Cookies Franchising, LLC, including, without limitation, use of all ingredients specified or authorized by Crave Cookies Franchising, LLC, and only such ingredients. Franchisee shall prepare and serve
all food products in a high-quality manner that meets or exceeds the customer's reasonable expectations and all applicable System Standards. Franchisee shall not substitute any recipe prescribed by Crave Cookies Franchising, LLC, unless Franchisee receives express written permission from Crave Cookies Franchising, LLC to make a substitution.
Source: Item 16 — RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT THE FRANCHISEE MAY SELL (FDD page 34)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Crave Cookies Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must offer only those menu items, beverages, and other products and services that Crave Cookies prescribes in the manual or in writing. Franchisees are required to adhere to this rule.
This means a Crave Cookies franchisee cannot introduce or sell any menu items, beverages, or other products that have not been explicitly approved by Crave Cookies. This restriction ensures brand consistency and quality control across all franchise locations. Franchisees must strictly follow the approved menu and product offerings to maintain uniformity within the Crave Cookies system.
The FDD also states that franchisees must follow all recipes prescribed by Crave Cookies, including using only specified or authorized ingredients. Franchisees cannot substitute any recipe unless they receive express written permission from Crave Cookies. This further reinforces the control Crave Cookies maintains over its menu and product standards, ensuring that all locations serve products that meet the franchisor's quality and consistency expectations.
These stipulations are typical in franchising, as franchisors seek to maintain uniform product offerings and quality across all locations to protect the brand's reputation. A prospective Crave Cookies franchisee should be aware that they will have limited autonomy in determining the menu and product offerings at their location.