When selecting a site for Cream's approval, is the franchisee expected to conduct their own independent investigation?

According to Cream's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are advised to conduct their own independent investigation before selecting a site for approval. Cream states that franchisees agree they are not relying on Cream's site approval for their benefit. Cream may provide recommendations or approve a site, but this does not constitute a warranty of its suitability for a Cream shop or any other purpose. Cream's approval indicates only 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 is not responsible if the site selected by the franchisee, even if recommended or approved by Cream, fails to meet the franchisee's expectations. This means that while Cream may offer guidance or approval, the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the site's viability and suitability rests with the franchisee.

This requirement is typical in franchising, as the franchisee is generally in a better position to assess local market conditions and specific site characteristics. Prospective Cream franchisees should carefully consider this requirement and be prepared to invest time and resources in conducting thorough due diligence on potential sites.