Is an Aw franchisee required to obtain any fictitious or assumed name or 'doing business as' registrations?

According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, the franchisee is required to promptly take action to cancel all fictitious or assumed name, "doing business as," or equivalent registrations relating to the use of Aw's marks. This means that during the term of the franchise agreement, Aw franchisees must register any fictitious or assumed names they use to operate their Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant.

This requirement ensures that the franchisee's business operations are legally compliant and properly identified under the Papa Ray's Pizza brand. It also protects Aw's brand identity by preventing unauthorized use of the brand name after the franchise agreement ends.

For a prospective Aw franchisee, this implies an additional step in setting up the business. They will need to research and comply with local regulations regarding fictitious or assumed business names. Upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, franchisees must cancel these registrations to avoid any potential legal issues or confusion in the marketplace. This is a standard practice in franchising to maintain brand control and prevent misuse of trademarks after a franchise relationship ends.