What is the Aw franchisee's responsibility regarding labor and employment laws?
Aw Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You are solely responsible for complying with all applicable labor and employment laws in operating your Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant. For franchisees in Illinois, new laws that became effective January 1, 2020 require businesses to meet specific sexual harassment prevention and training requirements, and require restaurant businesses specifically to implement and provide to employees a written sexual harassment policy. There may be other laws and codes applicable to your business. You must investigate all applicable laws, regulations and codes to find out what you need to do to comply.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 10–11)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are solely responsible for complying with all applicable labor and employment laws while operating their Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant. This means that Aw franchisees must understand and adhere to all federal, state, and local regulations related to employment practices. These laws govern various aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including hiring, wages, working conditions, and termination.
For franchisees in Illinois, Aw highlights specific requirements. As of January 1, 2020, businesses in Illinois must meet specific sexual harassment prevention and training requirements. Restaurant businesses, in particular, are required to implement and provide employees with a written sexual harassment policy. This illustrates the importance of staying informed about changes in labor and employment laws at the state and local levels, as these can impose new obligations on business owners.
The FDD emphasizes that franchisees must investigate all applicable laws, regulations, and codes to determine what actions are necessary to ensure compliance. This proactive approach is crucial, as failure to comply with labor and employment laws can result in significant penalties, including fines, lawsuits, and damage to the Aw brand's reputation. Prospective franchisees should consult with legal and human resources professionals to fully understand their obligations and develop appropriate policies and procedures.