Are there any specific System Standards that Cream (Jeni's Ice Creams) franchisees must adhere to regarding charitable initiatives?
Cream Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You understand that charitable, social, and community initiatives are a core component of our System, and we would not have granted you a franchise for a Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shop if you had not represented to us that you (and if you are an Entity, your Principal Owner) share our commitment to charitable, social, and community engagement. You acknowledge and agree that we may from time to time establish national or local charitable, social, or community events and initiatives for Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shops. Your Shop must participate in these events and initiatives in accordance with our System Standards, including that we may periodically require you to donate some or all Net Sales derived from events (together, "Ice Cream Socials") to national or local charitable, social, and/or community organizations that we have approved or designated. We may promote Ice Cream Socials in any manner we elect, including on a national or regional basis, and you must ensure that your Shop's marketing is consistent with ours, and that you offer the Ice Cream Social at your Shop as required.
We may also establish local marketing practices, activities, tactics, and/or goals for Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shops, including guidance on integrating community involvement into the operations and marketing for your Shop, generating local press for your community events and marketing efforts, and promoting national and local programs. You must ensure that your Shop and your marketing, advertising, and promotions for your Shop comply with all such guidelines and our System Standards. You also must ensure that you and your Shop satisfy all criteria we establish from time to time relating to local, social, and/or charitable activities and community engagement, including satisfying thirdparty certifications we designate from time to time relating to social, charitable, and community impact.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 61–192)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cream's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, charitable, social, and community initiatives are considered a core component of the Cream system. Franchisees are granted a franchise partly based on their commitment to such engagement. Cream may establish national or local charitable events and initiatives that Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shops must participate in, adhering to Cream's System Standards.
These System Standards may include requirements to donate some or all net sales from specific events, referred to as "Ice Cream Socials," to approved or designated charitable, social, and/or community organizations. Cream retains the right to promote these Ice Cream Socials on a national or regional basis, and franchisees must ensure their shop's marketing aligns with Cream's promotions and that they offer the Ice Cream Social at their shop as required.
Cream may also establish local marketing practices, activities, tactics, and goals, offering guidance on integrating community involvement into the shop's operations and marketing. This includes generating local press for community events and marketing efforts and promoting national and local programs. Franchisees must ensure their shop complies with all guidelines and System Standards related to these activities. Furthermore, franchisees must meet all criteria established by Cream regarding local, social, and/or charitable activities and community engagement, including satisfying third-party certifications related to social, charitable, and community impact.