Is attendance at the Aw Annual Conference mandatory?
Aw Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
s and locations designated by us. We may charge a tuition fee for any such training, seminars, meetings or webinars and you will be responsible for all expenses incurred by you, your Owners and/or your managers in attending these programs.
- 5.4 Annual Conference. Each year during the term of this Agreement, you, a Principal Owner and/or your Operating Manager must attend our Annual Conference for franchisees if we hold such a conference. We may charge you a fee to attend the conference ("Annual Conference Registration Fee"). In addition, you are responsible for all travel expenses incurred by you, your Owners and/or Operating Manager in attending the conference. This provision does not obligate us to hold an Annual Conference of franchisees each year. If an Annual Conference is not held, you are not obligated to pay the Annual Conference Registration Fee. If you fail to attend any Annual Conference during the term of this Agreement, you remain obligated to pay the Annual Conference Registration Fee. We may require you to attend separate training, in addition to any other rights and remedies available to us, for your breach of this provision.
6. **OPERATING ASSISTANCE;
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 39–40)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, attending the Annual Conference is mandatory for franchisees. Specifically, the franchisee, a Principal Owner, or the Operating Manager must attend the Annual Conference each year if Aw holds one. Aw does not obligate itself to hold an Annual Conference each year.
Franchisees are responsible for covering the Annual Conference Registration Fee and all travel expenses incurred while attending the conference. Even if a franchisee fails to attend the Annual Conference, they are still obligated to pay the Annual Conference Registration Fee. Failure to attend the conference may also result in Aw requiring the franchisee to attend separate training, in addition to any other remedies available to Aw.
Furthermore, the franchise agreement can be terminated if the franchisee fails to attend and complete any mandatory supplemental education or conference required by Aw on two or more occasions during any calendar year. This underscores the importance of adhering to Aw's training and conference requirements to remain in good standing and avoid potential termination of the franchise agreement.