Is Crave Cookies obligated to select the franchisee's site?
Crave_Cookies Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Before you open your business:
- A. Your site. We will review and advise you regarding potential locations that you submit to us. (Section 5.4). If you sign a Multi-Unit Development Agreement, we will approve the location of future sites and territories for those sites, and our then-current standards for sites and territories will apply. We are not obligated to further assist you in locating a site or negotiating the purchase or lease of the site.
- (i) We generally do not own your premises.
- (ii) If your site is not already known and approved by us when you sign your franchise agreement, then we and you will specify in your franchise agreement the area in which you must select a site (Franchise Agreement, Summary Page). We do not select your site. Your site is subject to our approval. To obtain our approval, you must provide all information and documents about the site that we require. If your selected site is different from the site listed in your franchise agreement, you will be required to sign an addendum to your franchise agreement which lists the actual location.
- (iii) The factors we consider in approving sites are general location and neighborhood, competition, trade area demographics, traffic patterns, parking, size, physical characteristics of existing buildings, and lease terms.
- (iv) The time limit for us to approve or disapprove your proposed site is 30 days after you submit all of our required documents and information. (Section 6.1). If we and you cannot agree on a site, you will be unable to comply with your obligation to develop and open the franchise by the deadline stated in the franchise agreement. Unless we agree to extend the deadline, you will be in default and we may terminate your franchise agreement.
- (v) We are not obligated to assist you in conforming the premises of your site to local ordinances and building codes and obtaining any required permits. This will be your responsibility.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 22–29)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Crave Cookies' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Crave Cookies does not select the franchisee's site. However, Crave Cookies will review and advise franchisees regarding potential locations that they submit. If a franchisee signs a Multi-Unit Development Agreement, Crave Cookies will approve the location of future sites and territories for those sites, and their then-current standards for sites and territories will apply.
The franchisee and Crave Cookies will specify the area in which the franchisee must select a site in the franchise agreement. The site is subject to Crave Cookies' approval, and the franchisee must provide all required information and documents about the site to obtain approval. If the selected site differs from the one in the franchise agreement, the franchisee must sign an addendum listing the actual location.
Crave Cookies considers factors such as general location, neighborhood, competition, trade area demographics, traffic patterns, parking, size, physical characteristics of existing buildings, and lease terms when approving sites. Crave Cookies has 30 days to approve or disapprove a proposed site after receiving all required documents and information. If the franchisee and Crave Cookies cannot agree on a site, the franchisee may default on their obligation to open the franchise by the deadline stated in the franchise agreement, potentially leading to termination of the agreement unless an extension is granted. Crave Cookies is not obligated to assist the franchisee in conforming the premises to local ordinances and building codes or obtaining required permits, as this is the franchisee's responsibility.