Is Crave Cookies obligated to provide advice to franchisees if they request it?
Crave_Cookies Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
5.5 Post-Opening Assistance.
(a) Advice, Consulting, and Support. If Franchisee requests, Crave Cookies Franchising will provide advice to Franchisee (by telephone or electronic communication) regarding improving and developing Franchisee's business, and resolving operating problems Franchisee encounters, to the extent Crave Cookies Franchising deems reasonable. If Crave Cookies Franchising provides in-person support in response to Franchisee's request, Crave Cookies Franchising may charge its then-current fee plus any out-of-pocket expenses (such as travel, lodging, and meals for employees providing onsite support).
(b) Pricing. Upon request, Crave Cookies Franchising will provide recommended prices for products and services offered by franchisees of the System.
(c) Procedures. Crave Cookies Franchising will provide Franchisee with Crave Cookies Franchising's recommended administrative, bookkeeping, accounting, and inventory control procedures. Crave Cookies Franchising may make any such procedures part of required (and not merely recommended) System Standards.
(d) Marketing. Crave Cookies Franchising shall manage the Marketing Fund.
(e) Internet. Crave Cookies Franchising shall maintain a website for Crave Cookies, which will include Franchisee's location (or territory) and telephone number.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 47)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Crave Cookies's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Crave Cookies Franchising will provide advice to franchisees if they request it. Specifically, if a franchisee requests advice, Crave Cookies Franchising will provide advice (via telephone or electronic communication) regarding improving and developing the franchisee's business, and resolving operating problems the franchisee encounters, to the extent Crave Cookies Franchising deems reasonable.
However, this obligation is subject to Crave Cookies Franchising's discretion. The support is provided "to the extent Crave Cookies Franchising deems reasonable," which means that Crave Cookies has the right to determine the extent and nature of the advice provided. If Crave Cookies Franchising provides in-person support at the franchisee's request, Crave Cookies Franchising may charge its then-current fee plus any out-of-pocket expenses (such as travel, lodging, and meals for employees providing onsite support).
In addition to advice and support, Crave Cookies Franchising will provide recommended prices for products and services upon request. They will also provide recommended administrative, bookkeeping, accounting, and inventory control procedures, which Crave Cookies Franchising may later make mandatory as System Standards. Crave Cookies Franchising also manages the Marketing Fund and maintains a website for Crave Cookies, which will include the franchisee's location (or territory) and telephone number.