Who is responsible for employing a licensed architect for the Auntie Annes Shop?
Auntie_Annes Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
nsed and insured general contractor ("General Contractor") to complete the build-out of your Shop, and the General Contractor must be accepted by us. Our acceptance of your General Contractor will not in any way be our endorsement of your General Contractor or render us liable for your General Contractor's performance. (Franchise Agreement, Section 6.1)
- 4. Architectural Plans. We will provide a sample layout and specifications for the Shop. You must, at your expense, employ a licensed architect that we accept in writing and licensed engineers (e.g., mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or structural engineers) as necessary to prepare your Architectural Plans. We will review your proposed architect and Architectural Plans. Our acceptance of your architect 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. 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. 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. We must accept your
Architectural Plans in writing prior to you submitting them for permits and beginning construction. You may be required to periodically provide photographs of your c
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 61–77)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Auntie Annes's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for employing a licensed architect to prepare the Architectural Plans for their shop. The franchisee must employ this architect at their own expense. Auntie Annes must accept the architect in writing. The franchisee may also need to employ licensed engineers as necessary (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or structural engineers).
Auntie Annes will provide a sample layout and specifications for the shop. The franchisee's architect will use this information to create the Architectural Plans. Auntie Annes will review the proposed architect and the Architectural Plans to ensure compliance with their standards. However, Auntie Annes states that their acceptance of the architect does not constitute an endorsement, nor does it render them liable for the architect's performance or compliance with professional design standards and local codes.
Auntie Annes will review the initial Architectural Plans and one revised set of plans at no cost to the franchisee. However, Auntie Annes may charge a fee of $1,000 for each subsequent set of drawings they review if the drawings include modifications from the plans they have previously accepted. Auntie Annes must accept the Architectural Plans in writing before the franchisee submits them for permits and begins construction. The franchisee may also be required to periodically provide photographs of the construction progress.