factual

What criteria must a proposed assignee meet for Aw to approve the assignment?

Aw Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

t a concurrent transfer of this Agreement and the franchise rights granted hereunder to the same transferee. Any such assignment or transfer without our prior written approval will constitute a breach of this Agreement and will convey no rights to or interests in the franchise, the franchisee entity, your Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant or its assets.

  • 14.3 Conditions for Approval of Assignment. If you (and your Owners) are in compliance with this Agreement, we will not unreasonably withhold our approval of an assignment, provided that the proposed assignee is, in our opinion, of good moral character and has sufficient business experience, aptitude and financial resources to own and operate a Pap Ray's Restaurant, does not have any conflicting interests unacceptable to us, and otherwise meets our then applicable standards for franchisees. In addition the following conditions must be met prior to, or concurrently with, the effective date of the assignment:
  • (a) all obligations of you and your Owners incurred in connection with this Agreement have been assumed by the assignee and, as applicable, its owners;
  • (b) you have paid such royalty fees, marketing fund contributions, amounts for purchases and any other amounts owed to us or our affiliates which are then due and unpaid;
  • (c) the assignee completes the initial training program required of new franchisees to our satisfaction;
  • (d) if required, the lessor of the Premises has consented to your assignment or sublease of the Premises to the proposed assignee;
  • (e) the assignee (and, if an entity, its direct or indirect owners) have, at our option, executed and agreed to be bound by either: (a) the form of franchise agreement, owner guarantees and such other ancillary agreements as are then customarily used by us in the grant of franchises for a Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant, which may provide for royalty fees, marketing fund contributions and other fees and terms and conditions that differ from those contained in this Agreement; or (b) an assignment and assumption agreement satisfactory to us whereby the assignee assumes your obligations under this Agreement;
  • (f) You or the assignee must have paid us a transfer fee of Nine Thousand Dollars ($9,000.00). In the event the assignee is an existing franchisee that we have approved for an additional franchise, the transfer fee shall be Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00);
  • (g) except to the extent limited or prohibited by applicable law, you (and each of your Owners) must have executed a general release, in form satisfactory to us, of any and all claims against us and our affiliates, officers, directors, employees and agents;
  • (h) we must have approved the material terms and conditions of the assignment from you to the proposed assignee and must have determined that the price and terms of payment are not so

burdensome as to adversely affect the future operations of your Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant by the assignee;

  • (i) you must have entered into an agreement with us agreeing that any obligations of the assignee to make installment payments of the purchase price to you will be subordinate to the assignee's ongoing obligations to us, including, without limitation, royalty fees, marketing fund contributions, obligations for purchases from us or our affiliates and any other amounts owed to us or our affiliates.
  • (j) you and or the assignee must agree to make within a time period we specify reasonable capital expenditures to upgrade, remodel, and/or redecorate the Premises so that Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant reflects the then-current image intended to be portrayed by a Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant, including trade dress, color schemes, lay-out and presentation of the Marks. All remodeling and all replacements, upgrades or redecoration of the Premises must be done in accordance with standards and specifications as prescribed by us.

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

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee wishes to assign their franchise agreement, Aw will not unreasonably withhold approval, provided certain conditions are met. The proposed assignee must be of good moral character, possess sufficient business experience, aptitude, and financial resources to successfully operate a Papa Ray's Restaurant. Additionally, the assignee should not have any conflicting interests that are unacceptable to Aw and must meet Aw's then-current standards for franchisees.

Prior to the assignment's effective date, the assignee must assume all obligations of the original franchisee and their owners. The original franchisee must settle all outstanding debts, including royalty fees, marketing fund contributions, and purchase amounts owed to Aw or its affiliates. The assignee is also required to complete Aw's initial training program to their satisfaction. If necessary, the lessor of the premises must consent to the assignment or sublease of the premises to the proposed assignee.

The assignee (and their owners, if an entity) may be required to execute Aw's current form of franchise agreement, owner guarantees, and other ancillary agreements, which may include different royalty fees, marketing fund contributions, and other terms. Alternatively, they can enter into an assignment and assumption agreement satisfactory to Aw, where the assignee assumes the original franchisee's obligations. A transfer fee of $9,000 must be paid to Aw, though this fee is reduced to $5,000 if the assignee is an existing franchisee approved for an additional franchise. The original franchisee must also execute a general release of claims against Aw and its affiliates, and Aw must approve the material terms and conditions of the assignment, ensuring the price and payment terms do not adversely affect the restaurant's future operations.

Furthermore, the original franchisee must agree that any installment payments from the assignee will be subordinate to the assignee's ongoing obligations to Aw, such as royalty fees and marketing fund contributions. Finally, the franchisee or assignee must agree to make reasonable capital expenditures to upgrade or remodel the premises to reflect Aw's current image standards. These criteria ensure that the assignee is well-prepared and financially capable of maintaining the standards and obligations of an Aw franchise.

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.