Must Crisp & Green approve the new site if a franchisee needs to relocate their Crisp & Green restaurant?

According to Crisp & Green's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee is permitted to operate their restaurant only at an approved site. If a Crisp & Green restaurant's lease expires or is terminated without the franchisee's fault, or if the restaurant is destroyed, condemned, or otherwise rendered unusable, Crisp & Green may allow the franchisee to relocate the restaurant. However, this relocation is contingent upon the new site being acceptable to Crisp & Green, and the relocation occurs at the franchisee's sole expense.

This means that while Crisp & Green may permit relocation under certain circumstances, they retain control over the new location. The franchisee bears the full financial responsibility for the relocation process. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, as franchisors typically want to ensure that any new location maintains brand standards and has the potential to be successful.

For a prospective Crisp & Green franchisee, this highlights the importance of carefully considering the initial site selection and lease terms. While relocation is possible, it is not guaranteed and depends on Crisp & Green's approval. Franchisees should also be prepared to cover all costs associated with relocating, which could include build-out, permitting, and other expenses. It would be prudent for a potential franchisee to discuss site selection criteria and relocation policies in detail with Crisp & Green before signing the franchise agreement.