Is an Aw franchisee required to maintain an annual maintenance agreement for the POS system?

According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to maintain an annual maintenance agreement for the point of sale (POS) system. The estimated cost for this agreement ranges from $800 to $2,000 annually. This maintenance agreement is in addition to the initial cost of purchasing the POS system, which ranges from $12,000 to $19,000, including the necessary hardware.

This requirement ensures that the POS system remains operational and up-to-date, which is crucial for managing various aspects of the business, including online ordering, inventory tracking, customer data collection, and delivery tracking. While Aw does not provide ongoing maintenance, support, or upgrades to the POS system, the annual maintenance agreement ensures that franchisees have access to these services through a third-party provider.

The fact that Aw mandates this agreement means franchisees must budget for this recurring expense. The cost can vary, so it's important for prospective franchisees to understand what the maintenance agreement covers and how the cost is determined. This is a common practice in franchising, as franchisors often require franchisees to maintain certain standards and systems to ensure consistency and efficiency across the brand.

Furthermore, Aw retains the right to require franchisees to upgrade their POS system at any time if they determine the current system is insufficient or incompatible. While the FDD does not specify the potential costs associated with these upgrades, franchisees should be aware that such upgrades could represent a significant, unplanned expense during the term of their franchise agreement.