Under what condition is an Aplus franchisee prohibited from making alterations to the premises?
Aplus Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
If you are not the sole and exclusive owner of the Premises, as a condition to Sunoco performing its obligations set forth in the preceding sentence, you shall submit, in form satisfactory to Sunoco, a consent of all owners of the Premises to the modification of the Premises, and a waiver in recordable form, of all claims of the owner, and any party claiming through or under the owner, including any mortgagees, to any improvements installed by Sunoco on the Premises and consent to removal by Sunoco of such improvements upon termination of this APLUS franchise relationship.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 68–302)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Aplus's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, if you are not the sole and exclusive owner of the premises, as a condition to Aplus performing its obligations, you must submit consent from all owners of the premises for any modifications. This consent must be in a form satisfactory to Aplus.
Additionally, you must provide a waiver in recordable form from all owners, including mortgagees, relinquishing any claims to improvements installed by Aplus on the premises. This waiver also needs to include consent for Aplus to remove such improvements upon termination of the franchise relationship.
In simpler terms, if you lease the Aplus store location, you'll need the property owner's permission before Aplus will install exterior signage, initial paint, the exterior Aplus sign, sign pole and interior graphics. This protects Aplus's investment in the location and ensures they can restore the premises if the franchise agreement ends.