Can an Aw franchisee transfer ownership without Aw's approval?
Aw Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ssessing compliance with the System, and/or measuring customer satisfaction in Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurants.
14. OWNERSHIP; ASSIGNMENT
- 14.1 Assignment by the Company. This Agreement and the Franchise are fully assignable by us and will inure to the benefit of any assignee or other legal successor to the interest of the Company herein.
- 14.2 By Franchisee With Approval. You understand and acknowledge that the rights and duties created by this Agreement are personal to you and we have granted the franchise in reliance upon the individual or collective character, skill, aptitude, attitude, business ability and financial capacity of you (and your Owners). Therefore, except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 14.5 below, neither the franchise, your Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant or a substantial portion of the assets of your Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant (or any interest therein) nor any part or all of the ownership of an entity that is the Franchisee may be voluntarily, involuntarily, directly or indirectly, assigned, sold, subdivided, subfranchised or otherwise transferred by you or your Owners (including, without limitation, by merger or consolidation, by issuance of additional securities representing an ownership interest in the Franchisee, or in the event of the death of the Franchisee or an Owner of the Franchisee, by will, declaration of or transfer in trust or the laws of intestate succession) without our prior written
approval. Further, neither your Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant nor a substantial portion of its assets may be transferred without a concurrent transfer of this Agreement and the franchise rights granted hereunder to the same transferee. Any such assignment or transfer without our prior written approval will constitute a breach of this Agreement and will convey no rights to or interests in the franchise, the franchisee entity, your Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant or its assets.
- 14.3 Conditions for Approval of Assignment. If you (and your Owners) are in compliance with this Agreement, we will not unreasonably withhold our approval of an assignment, provided that the proposed assignee is, in our opinion, of good moral character and has sufficient business experience, aptitude and financial resources to own and operate a Pap Ray's Restaurant, does not have any conflicting interests unacceptable to us, and otherwise meets our then applicable standards for franchisees. In addition the following conditions must be met prior to, or concurrently with, the effective date of the assignment:
- (a) all obligations of you and your Owners incurred in connection with this Agreement have been assumed by the assignee and, as applicable, its owners;
- (b) you have paid such royalty fees, marketing fund contributions, amounts for purchases and any other amounts owed to us or our affiliates which are then due and unpaid;
- (c) the assignee completes the initial training program required of new franchisees to our satisfaction;
- (d) if required, the lessor of the Premises has consented to your assignment or sublease of the Premises to the proposed assignee;
- (e) the assignee (and, if an entity, its direct or indirect owners) have, at our option, executed and agreed to be bound by either: (a) the form of franchise agreement, owner guarantees and such other ancillary agreements as are then customarily used by us in the grant of franchises for a Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant, which may provide for royalty fees, marketing fund contributions and other fees and terms and conditions that differ from those contained in this Agreement; or (b) an assignment and assumption agree
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 39–40)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees cannot transfer ownership of their franchise without prior written approval from Aw. This restriction applies to the franchise itself, the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant, or a substantial portion of its assets, as well as any ownership interest in the franchisee entity. Transfers encompass a wide range of scenarios, including sales, assignments, subfranchising, and even transfers resulting from the death of the franchisee or an owner. Any transfer conducted without Aw's approval constitutes a breach of the franchise agreement and will not grant any rights or interests to the transferee.
Aw's requirement for approval ensures that the new owner meets their standards for franchisees. Specifically, Aw needs to assess the proposed assignee's moral character, business experience, aptitude, and financial resources to operate the Papa Ray's Restaurant successfully. Aw also checks for any conflicting interests and ensures the assignee meets their then-current standards for franchisees.
To gain approval for a transfer, several conditions must be met. The proposed assignee must assume all obligations under the franchise agreement, and the franchisee must settle any outstanding payments owed to Aw. The assignee is also required to complete Aw's initial training program. Furthermore, the assignee must adhere to the then-current franchise agreement or an assignment and assumption agreement. A transfer fee of $9,000 is required, though this fee is reduced to $5,000 if the assignee is an existing franchisee approved for an additional franchise. The franchisor also has the right of first refusal.