Must Aw Papa Ray's Pizza approve the specific location for the franchise?
Aw Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Approve the location of your Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant. We will provide you with written notice of approval or disapproval within 30 days after receiving your written proposal for the site and required information on the site. Although we may provide some assistance in locating an acceptable site for you, you are responsible for securing a site. In approving or disapproving a proposed site, we will consider factors such as visibility, traffic count, access to parking, and demographics of the surrounding area. We highly recommend trying to secure a site that already is configured for a restaurant and that contains some existing kitchen fixtures and equipment. You will lease the premises for Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant from independent third parties. Any lease for the premises must include certain terms we require. (Franchise Agreement, Section 4.2 and Exhibit 3 to Franchise Agreement)
If you have not secured a site approved by us within 180 days of signing the Franchise Agreement, we can terminate your franchise.
Source: Item 12 — TERRITORY (FDD pages 29–30)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the specific location for a Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant franchise must be approved by Aw. Before opening, Aw will approve the location and provide written notice of approval or disapproval within 30 days of receiving the franchisee's written proposal and required site information. While Aw may offer assistance in finding a suitable location, the franchisee is ultimately responsible for securing the site.
Aw will consider factors such as visibility, traffic count, access to parking, and demographics of the surrounding area when evaluating a proposed site. Aw highly recommends securing a site already configured for a restaurant with existing kitchen fixtures and equipment. The franchisee will lease the premises from independent third parties, and any lease must include terms required by Aw.
If a franchisee fails to secure an approved site within 180 days of signing the Franchise Agreement, Aw has the right to terminate the franchise agreement. This requirement ensures that all Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant locations meet Aw's standards and have the potential for success, but it also places a responsibility on the franchisee to find and secure an appropriate location within a specified timeframe.