Does Afuri Ramen Dumpling guarantee onsite assistance with site selection?
Afuri_Ramen_Dumpling Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
- 1.3.3 If you request assistance in selecting a site for the Franchise Premises, we may provide
reasonable assistance in finding a location acceptable to you. If requested, you will pay for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to any such site selection assistance, including travel and lodging expenses we incur to help you locate sites. Any on-site assistance is subject to our availability. You will bear all other site selection and lease negotiation expenses.
- 1.3.4 Neither we nor any of our employees have special expertise in selecting sites.
We do not make guarantees with respect to any location you select or lease you sign.
We will not be liable for any consequences of your choice of any franchise site.
Any site recommendation or approval we make is not a representation that any particular site is available or legally appropriate for use as a franchise site.
It is your responsibility to investigate all applicable zoning, licensing, leasing, and other requirements for any proposed site.
You must ensure that the site you select complies with these requirements.
Source: Item 5 — Initial Fees (FDD pages 10–11)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Afuri Ramen Dumpling's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, they do not guarantee on-site assistance with site selection. While Afuri Ramen Dumpling may provide reasonable assistance in finding a location acceptable to the franchisee if requested, any on-site assistance is subject to their availability.
As a prospective franchisee, it's important to note that you are primarily responsible for finding the location for your Afuri Ramen Dumpling franchise. The franchisor's approval of your site selection will depend on factors such as general location, traffic patterns, parking, physical characteristics of existing buildings, lease terms, population density, and demographics. The franchisor typically prefers new buildings rather than "second generation" restaurant locations, but they may modify these factors at their discretion.
If you request site selection assistance from Afuri Ramen Dumpling, you will be responsible for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including travel and lodging expenses they incur to help you locate sites. The FDD clearly states that neither Afuri Ramen Dumpling nor its employees have special expertise in selecting sites, and they do not make guarantees regarding any location you select or lease you sign. Ultimately, the franchisee bears the responsibility for investigating all applicable zoning, licensing, leasing, and other requirements for any proposed site and ensuring compliance.