What is the scope of Auntie Annes' review of the Architectural Plans?
Auntie_Annes Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
ontractor ("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 review of the Architectural Plans is limited in scope. The franchisee is responsible for employing a licensed architect and engineers to prepare the Architectural Plans, which Auntie Annes must accept in writing. However, Auntie Annes' acceptance of the architect does not constitute an endorsement or render them liable for the architect's performance, adherence to professional design standards, or compliance with local codes.
The review of the Architectural Plans by Auntie Annes is specifically for ensuring compliance with their standards. This review is not intended to assess the structural integrity of the design or its compliance with applicable laws. This means that while Auntie Annes will check that the plans align with their brand and operational requirements, the franchisee remains responsible for ensuring the plans are structurally sound and meet all legal and local building codes.
Auntie Annes offers an initial review of the Architectural Plans and one revision at no cost. However, for each subsequent set of drawings that include modifications from previously accepted plans, Auntie Annes may charge a fee of $1,000 per review. The franchisee must receive written acceptance of the Architectural Plans from Auntie Annes before submitting them for permits and starting construction. Auntie Annes may also request periodic photographs of the construction progress and may inspect the shop upon completion to ensure compliance with their standards, with the shop not being allowed to open until written consent is provided by Auntie Annes.