Who is responsible for ensuring the design and construction of my Crisp & Green restaurant meets all legal requirements?
Crisp_Green Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
The sample materials are not designed to meet all requirements of federal, state, or local laws or regulations that might apply to your Franchised Restaurant; you will be solely responsible for ensuring that the design and construction or remodeling of your Franchised Restaurant meets with all requirements of such laws and regulations, including any local zoning or environmental regulations, ordinances, building codes, permit requirements, and lease restrictions.
It is your responsibility to prepare all required construction and remodeling plans and specifications to suit your Franchised Restaurant and to construct, remodel and decorate the premises.
You must submit all site surveys, construction and remodeling plans, and specifications to us for our approval before beginning build-out for the Franchised Restaurant and all revised or "as built" plans and specifications during construction and development.
We have a required architectural vendor who you must use for the creation of the architectural plans for your Franchised Restaurant.
You must obtain a site survey from one of our approved vendors.
We may, but are not required to, periodically inspect the site during its development. (Franchise Agreement – Section 3.04).
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 33–44)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Crisp & Green's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is solely responsible for ensuring the design and construction of their restaurant complies with all applicable laws and regulations. This includes federal, state, and local laws, zoning and environmental regulations, building codes, permit requirements, and lease restrictions.
While Crisp & Green provides sample floor plans and layouts to assist in the build-out, these materials are not guaranteed to meet all legal requirements. The franchisee must work with contractors and vendors to ensure compliance. Additionally, the franchisee is responsible for preparing all required construction and remodeling plans and specifications and submitting them to Crisp & Green for approval before starting construction.
Crisp & Green requires franchisees to use their approved architectural vendor for creating architectural plans and to obtain a site survey from one of their approved vendors. Although Crisp & Green may periodically inspect the site during development, this does not relieve the franchisee of their ultimate responsibility for legal compliance. This means the franchisee bears the risk of any fines, penalties, or required modifications if the restaurant does not meet legal standards.
This allocation of responsibility is typical in franchising, where franchisees generally handle local permitting and construction to adhere to area-specific regulations. Prospective Crisp & Green franchisees should carefully vet their contractors and consultants to ensure they have expertise in local regulations and can deliver a compliant restaurant design and build-out.