What must an Aw franchisee do with signs and promotional materials containing the Marks after termination or expiration?
Aw Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
s after the effective date of termination or expiration (without renewal) of this Agreement such royalty fees, marketing fund contributions, service charges due us on any of the foregoing and all other amounts owed to us and our affiliates which are then unpaid. You must furnish a complete accounting of all such amounts owed to us and our affiliates with the payment.
- 16.2 The Marks. You (and your Owners) agree that after the termination or expiration (without renewal) of this Agreement you will:
- (a) not directly or indirectly at any time or in any manner identify yourself or any business as a current or former Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant, or as a franchisee or licensee of or as otherwise associated with us, or use the Marks, any colorable imitation thereof or other indicia of a Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant in any manner or for any purpose, or utilize for any purpose any trade name, trademark, service mark, trade dress, domain name, or other commercial symbol that suggests or indicates a connection or association with us;
- (b) promptly return to us or destroy (whichever we specify) all signs, sign-faces, promotional and advertising materials and other materials containing the Marks or otherwise identifying or relating to a Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant;
- (c) promptly take such action as may be required to cancel all fictitious or assumed name, "doing business as" or equivalent registrations relating to your use of the Marks;
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 39–40)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, following the termination or expiration (without renewal) of the Franchise Agreement, a franchisee must cease using any association with Aw. Specifically, the franchisee must not identify their business as a current or former Aw franchise or in any way use Aw's trademarks or other identifying elements.
More specifically, the Aw franchisee is required to either return to Aw or destroy (whichever Aw specifies) all signs, promotional materials, advertising, and other materials that contain Aw's trademarks or otherwise relate to an Aw restaurant.
Additionally, the franchisee must take the necessary steps to cancel any assumed name or "doing business as" registrations related to the use of Aw's trademarks. The franchisee is also obligated to notify the telephone company and listing agencies about the termination or expiration of their right to use any telephone numbers and directory listings associated with Aw's trademarks, and authorize the transfer of these to Aw or at Aw's direction.