factual

Does the Aw covenant not to compete apply to the franchisee's Owners as well as the franchisee?

Aw Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

of this Section 16.

  • 16.10 Continuing Obligations. All obligations of the Company and you which expressly or by their nature survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect subsequent to and notwithstanding its expiration or termination and until they are satisfied or by their nature expire.

17. POST-TERM COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE.

  • 17.1 Covenant Not To Compete. Upon assignment, termination or expiration (without renewal) of this Agreement, you (and your Owners) agree that for a period of two (2) years, commencing on the effective date of assignment, termination or expiration, or the date on which you begin complying with the covenants herein, whichever is later, you (and your Owners) will not:
  • (a) have any direct or indirect interest as an owner, investor, partner, director, officer, employee, consultant, representative or agent, or in any other capacity, in (a) any restaurant business selling products or services substantially similar to a Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant concept then being offered by us (except other Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurants you are operating pursuant to franchise agreements with us), which is located (i) within ten (10) miles of the Premises of your Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant or (i) within ten (10) miles of the premises of any other Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant,

  • or (b) any entity which is granting franchises or licenses or entering into joint venture relationships for any restaurant business which offers products or services similar to those offered by a Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant, other than the ownership of securities traded on a stock exchange or on the over-the-counter market that represent 5% or less of that class of securities.
  • (b) directly or indirectly divert or attempt to divert any former business or customer of your Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant to any competitive business;
  • (c) employ or seek to employ any person employed by us or our affiliate, or otherwise directly or indirectly induce or seek to induce such person to leave his or her employment; and
  • (d) directly or indirectly, solicit or sell products or services to any former customer of your Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant.
  • 17.2 Court Modification of Agreement. You agree that this form of Agreement is prepared for use in many jurisdictions with differing public policies and that such public policies change. Accordingly, you agree that the prevailing non-competition restrictions set forth above may be modified by a Court to the extent necessary to make the non-competition agreements valid and enforceable against you.
  • 17.3 Enforcement of Covenants Not to Compete. You acknowledge that violation of the covenants not to compete contained in this Agreement would result in immediate and irreparable injury to us for which no adequate remedy at law will be available. Accordingly, you hereby acknowledge that we may seek to obtain the entry of an injunction prohibiting any conduct by you or your Owners in violation of the terms of the covenants not to compete set forth in this Agreement. You expressly agree that it may conclusively be presumed that any violation of the terms of said covenants not to compete was accomplished by and through your unlawful use of our Confidential Information. Further, you expressly agree that the existence of any claims you may have against us, whether or not arising from this Agreement, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by us of the covenants not to compete set forth in this Agreement. You further agree to pay all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' and experts' fees) incurred by the us in connection with the enforcement of those covenants not to compete set forth in this Agreement.

18. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

18.1 Mandatory Mediation. Except for actions pursuant to Paragraph 18.3 below, prior to the initiation of arbitration or litigation by either party pursuant to this Agreement, the parties must make a good faith effort to resolve any controversies between them by non-binding mediation either through a mutually acceptable mediator or through an established mediation service selected by us (in either case, "Mediator"). Prior to mediation, each party involved in mediation shall sign the standard confidentiality agreement reasonably required by Mediator or a confidentiality agreement reasonably required by us if the Mediator does not have a standard confidentiality agreement. No arbitration or litigation proceeding may be commenced until the earlier of thirty (30) days from the selection of the Mediator, or the mutual agreement by both parties that mediation has been unsuccessful, or if the notified party fails to respond to the

requesting party within thirty (30) days of the delivery of notice requesting mediation.

Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 39–40)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the covenant not to compete applies to both the franchisee and their Owners. Specifically, upon assignment, termination, or expiration of the Franchise Agreement, both the franchisee and their Owners agree to refrain from engaging in competitive activities for a period of two years. This restriction includes not having any direct or indirect interest in any restaurant business selling similar products or services to a Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant within a ten-mile radius of the franchisee's location or any other Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant.

This non-compete obligation extends to preventing the franchisee and their Owners from being involved with any entity that grants franchises or licenses for similar restaurant businesses. However, an exception exists for owning securities traded on a stock exchange or over-the-counter market, provided that the ownership represents 5% or less of that class of securities. Furthermore, the franchisee and their Owners are prohibited from diverting customers from their Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant to any competitive business, employing individuals employed by Aw or its affiliates, or soliciting former customers of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant.

Aw emphasizes the importance of these covenants, stating that violating them would result in immediate and irreparable injury for which no adequate legal remedy would be available. Consequently, Aw reserves the right to seek an injunction to prevent any conduct by the franchisee or their Owners that violates the non-compete terms. The franchisee expressly agrees that any violation of these terms may be presumed to involve the unlawful use of Aw's confidential information. Additionally, any claims the franchisee may have against Aw do not constitute a defense against the enforcement of these non-compete covenants. The franchisee is also responsible for covering all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' and experts' fees, incurred by Aw in enforcing these covenants.

During the term of the agreement, Aw also restricts the franchisee and any Owner from having any interest in a competitive business. The ownership of five percent (5%) or less of a publicly traded company will not be deemed to be prohibited. Further, during the term of this Agreement, you will not (1) divert customers or business from your Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant to any other business or (2) hire any employees of ours, our affiliates or any other franchisees.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.