Does the Aw franchise agreement specify the identification of the franchisee as the owner of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant?
Aw Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 8.1 Independent Contractor; No Fiduciary Relationship. Both you and we understand and agree that this Agreement does not create a fiduciary relationship between us, that you and we are independent contractors, and that nothing in this Agreement is intended to make either party a general or special agent, joint venturer, partner, or employee of the other for any purpose whatsoever. You agree to conspicuously identify yourself in all your dealings with customers, suppliers, public officials, employees, and others as the owner of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant pursuant to a Franchise Agreement with us, and agree to place any other notices of independent ownership on your forms, business cards, stationery, advertising, and other materials as we may require from time to time.
- 8.2 No Employment Relationship. You shall prominently display, by posting of a sign within public view, on or in the Premises, a statement that clearly indicates that the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant is independently owned and operated by you as our franchisee. You expressly
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 39–40)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise agreement does address the franchisee's identification as the owner of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant. Specifically, the agreement states that franchisees must identify themselves as the independent owners of their Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant.
The Aw franchise agreement requires franchisees to conspicuously identify themselves as the owners of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant in all dealings with customers, suppliers, public officials, and employees. This identification must be made pursuant to a Franchise Agreement with Aw. Additionally, franchisees must place notices of independent ownership on forms, business cards, stationery, advertising, and other materials as required by Aw from time to time.
Furthermore, franchisees are required to prominently display a sign within public view on the premises, clearly indicating that the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant is independently owned and operated by the franchisee. This requirement reinforces the independent nature of the franchise operation and ensures that customers and other parties are aware that the restaurant is not directly operated by Aw. This is a common practice in franchising to establish the franchisee's autonomy while maintaining brand standards.