Is Dq Treat required to grant a licensee the same variations from standard menus, specifications, or requirements that it grants to other restaurants or stores?

According to the 2025 Dq Treat FDD, Dq Treat is not required to grant a licensee the same variations from standard menus, specifications, or requirements that it grants to other restaurants or stores. This means that even if another Dq Treat location has been given special permission to deviate from the norm, a new franchisee cannot automatically expect the same treatment.

This policy allows Dq Treat to adapt its franchise system to different market conditions and individual circumstances. The FDD states that Dq Treat may vary the menu and other standards based on factors such as the location, population density, business potential, trade area, existing business practices, and competitive circumstances. These variations are determined by Dq Treat based on what it deems important to the operation of the restaurant, the franchisee's business, or the franchise system as a whole.

For a prospective franchisee, this means that the standards and requirements for their Dq Treat location could be different from those of other locations. It is important to discuss any desired variations with Dq Treat during the franchise application process, but there is no guarantee that these requests will be approved. The franchisee should be prepared to adhere to the standard operating procedures unless Dq Treat grants a specific exception.