Does Afuri Ramen Dumpling offer assistance in site location for the franchise?
Afuri_Ramen_Dumpling Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
1.3 Assistance in Site Location.
- 1.3.1 Unless we approve otherwise, the Franchise Premises for your first location will have a commissary kitchen. Unless we approve otherwise, the Franchise Premises for each additional location will be serviced by your commissary kitchen at your first Franchise Premises. For the first Franchise Premises with a commissary kitchen, the location will typically be a single story to facilitate ventilation.
- 1.3.2 You are responsible for finding the location of the Franchise Premises subject to our approval. The factors we may consider in approving or rejecting proposed site selections include, but are not limited to, the following: general location and neighborhood; traffic patterns; parking; physical characteristics of existing buildings; lease terms; population density; and population demographics. Also, we typically require that the Franchise Premises be at a new building (as opposed to a "second generation" restaurant location). We may modify these factors at our discretion.
- 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.
- 1.3.5 You acknowledge and agree that any location we select or approve, and any lease we approve will be with the understanding that it meets our minimum acceptable criteria based upon our general business experience.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 50–189)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Afuri Ramen Dumpling's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the company may provide assistance in site selection. While the franchisee is responsible for finding the location, Afuri Ramen Dumpling may offer reasonable assistance if requested.
However, the franchisee is responsible for covering all out-of-pocket expenses related to this assistance, including travel and lodging costs that Afuri Ramen Dumpling incurs while helping to locate sites. Any on-site assistance is also subject to Afuri Ramen Dumpling's availability. The FDD states that the franchisee will bear all other site selection and lease negotiation expenses.
The FDD also clarifies that neither Afuri Ramen Dumpling nor its employees have special expertise in selecting sites, and the company does not make guarantees regarding any location selected or lease signed. The company will not be liable for any consequences resulting from the franchisee's site choice. Any site recommendation or approval is not a representation that any particular site is available or legally appropriate for use as a franchise site.
Ultimately, it is the franchisee's responsibility to investigate all applicable zoning, licensing, leasing, and other requirements for any proposed site and ensure that the selected site complies with these requirements. Any location selected or approved by Afuri Ramen Dumpling, and any lease approved, will be with the understanding that it meets the company's minimum acceptable criteria based upon its general business experience.