Is attendance at the Aw Annual Conference mandatory for franchisees?
Aw Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We may hold an Annual Conference of franchisees. You (or your approved Owner) and/or your operating manager must attend the Annual Conference. You must pay us the Annual Conference registration fee even if you fail to attend. You must pay the travel and living expenses you and any manager incur in attending the Annual Conference. However, we are not obligated to conduct an Annual Conference.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 22–29)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, attendance at the Annual Conference is mandatory for franchisees or their approved owner or operating manager. The FDD states that the franchisee, approved owner, or operating manager must attend the Annual Conference.
Even if the franchisee fails to attend the Annual Conference, they are still responsible for paying the Annual Conference registration fee. Additionally, the franchisee is responsible for covering the travel and living expenses incurred by themselves or any manager attending the conference.
However, Aw is not obligated to conduct an Annual Conference, so there may not be a conference every year. This means that while attendance is mandatory if a conference is held, there is no guarantee that a conference will occur annually.