Does Cream require franchisees to use a designated architect for construction plans?
Cream Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
utilities (such as gas, water, and/or electric).
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- Architect, Permits, Engineers, and Licenses. You must obtain construction plans for the buildout of your Shop according to our specifications. We currently require that you use our designated architect. To assist in the design and construction of your Shop, we have created prototype designs that our architect and your general contractor will utilize. You are also required to use a permit expeditor. A permit expeditor should accelerate your projected opening date and will submit the plans and specifications to the local agency for the building permit.
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 17–22)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cream's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are generally required to use Cream's designated architect for the construction plans of their shop. Cream has created prototype designs that their architect and the franchisee's general contractor will use to assist in the design and construction.
Cream also requires franchisees to use a permit expeditor to accelerate the shop's opening date and submit the construction plans to the local agency for the building permit. However, if a franchisee can demonstrate past experience in managing the construction process of a retail storefront, they may not be required to use Cream's designated architects as their project manager.
The cost for architects, permits, engineers, and licenses is estimated to be between $40,000 and $60,000. These fees are paid to unaffiliated third parties, such as the architect or engineer, as arranged between the franchisee and the third party. The leasehold improvements, which include the buildout of the shop according to Cream's specifications, are estimated to be a more substantial cost, ranging from $375,000 to $700,000.