What can reduce the expense of leasehold improvements for an Aw franchise?
Aw Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Your expense will be less if you can arrange for the landlord to cover some of the costs of leasehold improvements or if you can lease a site previously used for a restaurant facility and can suitably configure the site with limited renovations.
We highly recommend trying to secure a site that already is configured for a restaurant and that contains some existing kitchen fixtures and equipment.
The high estimate assumes that the leased space is a vanilla box.
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 16–19)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the cost of leasehold improvements for a Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant can be reduced if a franchisee arranges for the landlord to cover some of these costs. Another way to potentially lower these expenses is by leasing a site that was previously used as a restaurant. If the site can be suitably configured with limited renovations, this can also lead to savings.
The FDD highly recommends securing a site already configured for a restaurant and containing existing kitchen fixtures and equipment. The document notes that the high estimate for leasehold improvements assumes the leased space is a vanilla box, meaning a space that requires complete build-out.
The cost of leasehold improvements can vary significantly, with the FDD estimating a range of $30,000 to $60,000. These costs are influenced by factors such as the size, condition, configuration, and geographical location of the premises, local zoning and building ordinances, labor and material costs, and other economic factors. The estimate includes the cost of an architect, if necessary, and contractors and building and decorating materials and supplies.