Does the Aw franchise agreement require the Aw franchisee to notify necessary parties of the termination of their license to use the Marks on the internet?

According to the 2025 Aw Franchise Disclosure Document, upon termination of the franchise agreement, the franchisee is required to notify necessary parties about the termination of their license to use Aw's marks on the internet. This includes notifying parties that the franchisee no longer has the right to use any domain name, website, or other online presence associated with Aw's marks.

Specifically, the franchisee must assign to Aw or its designee all rights and interests in any domain name registrations, websites, listings, or presence on social media platforms that use Aw's marks. This assignment includes providing passwords and account manager access. The franchisee is then obligated to inform the relevant parties that their license to use the marks has been terminated, which means they no longer have the right to use any domain name, website, or other internet presence associated with the marks. They must also authorize the transfer of these assets to Aw or its designee.

This requirement ensures that Aw maintains control over its brand and online presence after a franchise agreement ends. It prevents former franchisees from continuing to use Aw's trademarks or online assets, which could cause confusion among customers or damage the brand's reputation. For a prospective franchisee, this means understanding that upon termination, they will lose all rights to any online presence they've established using Aw's marks and must take proactive steps to transfer those assets and notify relevant parties.