Is Afuri Ramen Dumpling involved in any other business activities besides franchising?
Afuri_Ramen_Dumpling Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
We are AFURI FRANCHISE INC., an Oregon corporation (called "we," "us," or "our" in this disclosure document) formed July 10, 2017. We do business under the names "Afuri®," "Afuri Ramen + Dumpling®," and the Afuri logos. We do not intend to do business under any other names. "You" means the prospective purchaser of an Afuri franchise, and includes owners or partners of a corporation, partnership, or other legal entity that purchases an Afuri franchise. The business operated under the Franchise Agreement is referred to as the "Franchise" in this disclosure document.
We are the franchisor of the Afuri franchise system.
Our principal business address is 923 SE 7th Ave., Portland, Oregon 97214. Our telephone number is (971) 386-2945. We have offered franchises since 2018. We do not have any other business activities. We have never offered franchises in any other line of business. We do not operate any businesses of the type being franchised. We may produce and sell innovative advertising and sales promotion materials. We and our affiliates may attempt to negotiate group discount rates for the benefit of our franchisees for products and services and marketing and sales materials.
Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor, and Any Parents, Predecessors and Affiliates (FDD pages 7–9)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 Afuri Ramen Dumpling FDD, Afuri Franchise Inc., the franchisor, is primarily focused on franchising. The FDD states that Afuri Ramen Dumpling does not engage in any other business activities besides franchising. However, they may produce and sell innovative advertising and sales promotion materials. Additionally, Afuri Ramen Dumpling and its affiliates may negotiate group discount rates for products, services, marketing, and sales materials to benefit franchisees.
While Afuri Ramen Dumpling's main business is franchising, its affiliates are involved in other related activities. Nakamura Foods, Inc., an affiliate, creates proprietary seasonings and other ingredients and products, and anticipates brewing alcohol in the future, which it supplies to Afuri Ramen Dumpling franchisees. Several other affiliates, including AFURI PDX LLC, AFURI OLDTOWN LLC, and AFURI SLABTOWN LLC, operate restaurants that are conceptually similar to the franchised restaurants and may provide training services to franchisees.
Furthermore, AFURI BUCKMAN LLC, a parent company, operates a restaurant similar to the franchise but with a larger menu and provides services to Afuri Ramen Dumpling and training to franchisees. AFURI, INC. (AFURI-JPN), the Japanese company that originated the Afuri concept, operates company-owned Afuri outlets in Japan. These activities of affiliates and parent companies indicate that while Afuri Ramen Dumpling focuses on franchising, a network of related businesses supports the brand through supply chain, training, and concept refinement.