What is a 'Shopkeeper' for a Cream franchise?
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, a 'Shopkeeper' is someone approved by Cream to supervise the management of a Cream shop. If the franchisee or the Principal Owner (an owner with at least 10% ownership and voting power) does not wish to manage the shop's day-to-day operations, they must obtain Cream's approval for a Shopkeeper. Cream may set conditions for approving a Shopkeeper, such as requiring them to complete training, confirming they have no competitive business interests, and/or signing a non-disclosure agreement.
During any period without an approved Shopkeeper, the franchisee or Principal Owner must supervise the shop's daily operations. Cream mandates that each shop always has direct, on-site supervision by one or more people who have completed the Initial Training Program to Cream's satisfaction. Each Cream shop must have a separate Shopkeeper.
For a prospective Cream franchisee, this means that if they do not plan to be involved in the daily operations of the shop, they will need to find someone who Cream approves as a Shopkeeper. This person will need to undergo training, and Cream has the right to disapprove of a Shopkeeper for any reason. The franchisee remains responsible for the shop's operations if a Shopkeeper is not approved or leaves the position.