Is a Cream franchisee advised to conduct their own independent investigation before selecting a site?
Cream Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You agree that you are not relying on our site approval for your benefit. You further acknowledge that you have been advised to conduct your own independent investigation before selecting any site for our approval. We are not responsible if the site you select for your Shop, including a site we recommend or approve, fails to meet your expectations.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 61–192)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cream's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Cream advises franchisees to conduct their own independent investigation before selecting a site for approval. Cream states that any recommendation or approval of a site only indicates that the site meets their minimum criteria, which are established for their own purposes and should not be relied upon by the franchisee as an indicator of success.
Cream emphasizes that franchisees should not rely on Cream's site approval for their benefit. The document clearly states that Cream is not responsible if the selected site, even if recommended or approved by them, fails to meet the franchisee's expectations. This underscores the importance of the franchisee's own due diligence in site selection.
This requirement is typical in the franchise industry, as the success of a franchise location depends heavily on local market conditions and the franchisee's ability to manage the business effectively. By advising franchisees to conduct their own investigations, Cream shifts the responsibility for site suitability to the franchisee, who is presumably more familiar with their local market and business capabilities.