Under what conditions can an Aplus franchisee make additions or alterations to the premises?
Aplus Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
es not represent that the Plans will be sufficient to meet such local requirements. All such modifications and other changes not resulting from local requirements but requested by you must be approved in advance by Sunoco and are at your expense.
- 22.1.4. After receiving comments from you on the preliminary Plans, which the third party engineering vendor and/or Sunoco, in its discretion, may incorporate or note, shall prepare the final plans ("Final Plans") and submit them to you. The Final Plans shall include architectural and engineering plans consistent with the available information as furnished by you.
- 22.1.5. Within thirty (30) days after receipt of the Final Plans, you shall apply for all licenses, permits, variances and other governmental approvals ("Permits") necessary for such construction or conversion and you shall undertake construction or conversion at the earliest possible date. You shall construct or convert the Premises to an APLUS Store, as the case may be, in accordance with the Final Plans and shall not make alterations or changes to the Store except with the prior written consent of Sunoco during the term hereof.
22.2. Equipment and Construction Funding Agreement
If you accept funding for your Store for equipment and construction, you must also execute the Equipment and Construction Funding Agreement, attached hereto as Attachment 7 and incorporated herein ("Funding Agreement").
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 68–302)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Aplus's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees need prior written consent from Sunoco to make any alterations or changes to the store during the term of the agreement. This requirement ensures that all Aplus stores maintain a consistent brand image and meet the franchisor's standards.
Before construction or conversion of the premises to an Aplus store, the franchisee works with a third-party vendor to design the store layout according to Aplus standards. The franchisee may need to modify these plans to meet local building codes, but any changes requested by the franchisee that are not due to local requirements must be approved in advance by Sunoco and are at the franchisee's expense.
Sunoco also retains the right to determine that an Aplus store needs to be upgraded or remodeled due to experience, changes in the law, or changes in the marketplace. Franchisees must conform to these changes and make all necessary expenditures to implement them. Sunoco reserves the right to increase the rent based on the scope of the work performed and the capital invested in the Aplus store, providing prior written notice of any rent increases.