For an Auntie Annes franchise, what does the term 'Architectural Plans' refer to?
Auntie_Annes Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
tect will not in any way be our endorsement of your architect or render us liable for your architect's performance or your architect's compliance with professional design standards or adherence to local codes.
- B. Compliance with Legal Requirements. You must, before we approve the Architectural Plans, have your architect or you certify to us that the Architectural Plans comply
with the Americans with Disabilities Act (the "ADA"), the architectural guidelines under the ADA, and all other federal, state, and local statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances, and codes (collectively, "Laws") that apply to the Franchised Business.
- C. Submission of Plans. You must submit to us, by the deadline specified in Section 6.5.B. (Construction Start Deadline), a complete set of final Architectural Plans. We will promptly review the Architectural Plans and will either accept the Architectural Plans or provide comments to you on changes we require. After our initial review of your Architectural Plans at no cost and our review of one revised set of Architectural Plans that incorporate our required changes at no cost, we may charge a fee of $1,000 for each set of drawings we review that include any other modifications from the plans that we have previously accepted. Our review of the Architectural Plans is limited to ensuring your compliance with our Standards and is not designed to assess structural integrity or compliance with applicable Laws. You may not begin construction of the Franchised Business until we have accepted the final Architectural Plans in writing.
- 6.3 Construction, Inspection, and Government Approvals. You must begin the construction and equipping of the Franchised Business by the deadline specified in Section 6.5.B. (Construction Start Deadline). You must furnish us with all documents we request related to construction. You must obtain our written approval of any changes to the Architectural Plans before you implement the changes. We must have access to the Franchised Business while work is in progress and on its completion. We may require you to provide photographs of your construction progress periodically from the time you commence construction until the time that we issue our consent to open the Franchised Business. On completion of construction and before the Opening Date, any architect
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 106)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 Auntie Annes FDD, Architectural Plans refer to the final construction blueprints for the franchise location. Before beginning construction, franchisees must submit a complete set of these plans to Auntie Annes for review and approval.
Auntie Annes will review the plans to ensure compliance with their standards, but this review does not assess structural integrity or legal compliance. The franchisee is responsible for ensuring the location adheres to all applicable laws, including ADA guidelines. Franchisees must obtain written approval from Auntie Annes for any changes to the Architectural Plans before implementing them.
The FDD specifies that Auntie Annes will review the initial plans and one revised set of plans at no cost. However, subsequent reviews of modified plans may incur a fee of $1,000 per review. Construction cannot begin until Auntie Annes provides written acceptance of the final Architectural Plans. Throughout the construction process, Auntie Annes has the right to access the premises and may request photographs to monitor progress.
Upon completion of construction, the architect or general contractor must provide a certificate confirming that the as-built plans comply with ADA guidelines and all other applicable laws. The franchisee is responsible for making any modifications deemed necessary by Auntie Annes to ensure compliance with the approved Architectural Plans. The franchise cannot open if it does not conform to the final Architectural Plans and approved changes, and all required governmental approvals and licenses must be obtained prior to opening.