In Virginia, what pre-opening obligations must Crave Cookies complete before receiving initial payments from franchisees?

According to Crave Cookies' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Virginia State Corporation Commission's Division of Securities and Retail Franchising mandates that Crave Cookies must defer the payment of the initial franchise fee and any other initial payments owed by franchisees. This deferment remains in effect until Crave Cookies has fulfilled all of its pre-opening obligations as outlined in the franchise agreement.

This requirement means that prospective Crave Cookies franchisees in Virginia will not be required to pay the initial franchise fee until Crave Cookies has completed all of its pre-opening responsibilities. These obligations are detailed in the franchise agreement, which franchisees should carefully review to understand the full scope of Crave Cookies' duties.

This provision protects franchisees by ensuring that Crave Cookies is committed to providing the necessary support and fulfilling its obligations before receiving payment. It also aligns with the Virginia Retail Franchising Act, which aims to protect franchisees from undue influence and unreasonable termination of the franchise agreement. Franchisees should be aware of these protections and consult with legal counsel to fully understand their rights under Virginia law.