Regarding staffing for an Aw Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant, what standards and specifications must be followed?
Aw Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ch time as a replacement manager has satisfactorily completed the training program. You must notify us in writing of the name of each Operating Manager you designate before they begin managing the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant, and you agree that we may direct communications to the Operating Manager.
- 11.11 Staffing. You agree to staff the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant with the number of managers, assistant managers and employees sufficient to operate the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant in compliance with this Agreement and the standards and specifications in the Operations Manual and to provide proper customer service during all hours of operation. You shall hire all employees of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant, be exclusively responsible for complying with all employment laws and for all employment decisions and functions related to the operation of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant, including hiring, firing, compensation, benefits, work hours, work rules, recordkeeping, supervision and discipline of employees and other terms of their employment. You must implement a training program for said employees that meets our standards. You agree to require all employees to maintain a neat and clean appearance, and to wear uniforms meeting our standards and specifications as we may require, for the protection of the Marks and brand . You agree not to recruit or hire, either directly or indirectly, any employee (or former employee for six (6) months after his or her employment has ended) of a Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant operated by us, our affiliate or another Papa Ray's Pizza franchisee without our prior written consent.
- 11.12 Insurance. You must obtain prior to opening your Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant and maintain at all times during the term of this Agreement the following insurance coverage under policies of insurance issued by carriers whom we approve: (1) comprehensive public liability, product liability and motor vehicle liability (including hired and non-owned auto liability) insurance against claims for bodily and personal injury, death, property damage, and injuries caused by or occurring in conjunction with the operation of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant or your conducting business pursuant to this Franchise Agreement containing minimum coverage we prescribe from time to time but in no event less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence and Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) in the aggregate; (2) general casualty insurance
including fire and extended coverage, vandalism, and malicious mischief insurance for 100% of the replacement value of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant and its contents; (3) workers' compensation insurance and employer's liability insurance as required by applicable law; and (4) business interruption insurance for a minimum of twelve (12) months. We may periodically increase or decrease the amounts of coverage required under these insurance policies and require different or additional kinds of insurance at any time, including excess liability insurance, to reflect inflation, identification of new risks, changes in law or standards of liability, higher damage awards, or other relevant changes in circumstances. Each insurance policy must name us (and, if we request it, our officers, members, managers and employees) as an additional insured and must provide us with thirty (30) days advance written notice of any material modification, cancellation, or expiration of the policy.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 39–40)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must staff their Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant with enough managers, assistant managers, and employees to comply with the franchise agreement, meet the standards and specifications outlined in the Operations Manual, and provide proper customer service during all operating hours. The franchisee is responsible for hiring all employees and must comply with all employment laws, making all employment decisions related to hiring, firing, compensation, benefits, work hours, recordkeeping, supervision, and discipline.
Aw requires franchisees to implement a training program for their employees that meets Aw's standards. Additionally, all employees must maintain a neat and clean appearance and wear uniforms that meet Aw's standards and specifications, as required by Aw, to protect the brand. Franchisees are prohibited from recruiting or hiring any employee (or former employee within six months of their employment ending) from a Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant operated by Aw, its affiliates, or another franchisee without prior written consent from Aw.
Aw also sets mandatory specifications, standards, and operating procedures relating to the qualifications, training, dress, general appearance, and demeanor of Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant employees. To ensure compliance with the agreement and standards, Aw or its agents have the right to enter and inspect the premises, observe operations, interview employees and customers, and inspect records. Franchisees must cooperate with these inspections and implement customer evaluation forms and surveys as prescribed by Aw.