Who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a Cream Shop?
Cream Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You are solely responsible for the management, direction and control of your Shop and all day-to-day operations of your Shop. You must supervise the management and day-to-day operation of your Shop and continuously exert best efforts to promote and enhance your Shop. If you (or your Principal Owner) does not wish to manage the operation of your Shop on a day-to-day basis, you must obtain our approval of any person that you wish to engage to supervise the management of your Shop (each a "Shopkeeper"). We may establish conditions for approving any such Shopkeeper, which may include the completion of training, confirmation that such Shopkeeper will have no competitive business, and/or execution of a non-disclosure agreement. During any period in which no Shopkeeper is approved (including because the Shopkeeper resigns or otherwise indicates to us or you that he or she wishes to cease acting as your Shopkeeper, or we disapprove of your Shopkeeper for any reason), you (or your Principal Owner) must supervise the day-to-day operations of your Shop. Your Shop must always be under the direct on-site supervision of one or more persons who we have approved and who have completed the Initial Training Program to our satisfaction. Each Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shop must have a separate Shopkeeper.
Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD pages 42–43)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cream's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is primarily responsible for the day-to-day operations of their Cream shop. Specifically, the franchisee is responsible for the management, direction, and control of their shop. This includes supervising the shop's management and daily operations, as well as continuously working to promote and improve the shop.
However, if the franchisee (or the Principal Owner, if the franchisee is an entity) does not want to manage the shop's operations on a daily basis, they can hire a 'Shopkeeper' to supervise the management of the shop. This Shopkeeper is subject to Cream's approval, which may involve completing training, confirming they have no competitive business interests, and signing a non-disclosure agreement.
During any period when a Shopkeeper is not approved or available, the franchisee (or the Principal Owner) must personally oversee the shop's daily operations. Regardless of who is managing the shop, it must always be under the direct, on-site supervision of someone approved by Cream who has completed the Initial Training Program. Each Cream shop must have a separate Shopkeeper.