Does the renewal agreement for an Aw franchise replace the original agreement?
Aw Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 3.3 Renewal Agreement; Releases.
To renew the franchise, the Company, you and your Owners must sign the then-current form of standard franchise agreement, which agreement will replace this Agreement in all respects, and which may contain royalty fees, advertising fees and other fees and provisions that differ from those contained in this Agreement; any ancillary agreements we are then customarily using in the grant or renewal of franchises for the operation
of Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurants (with appropriate modifications to reflect the fact that the agreement relates to the grant of a renewal franchise); and a general release, in a form satisfactory to us, of any and all claims against us and our affiliates, and our respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, and agents. If either you or any of your Owners refuse to sign those agreements and releases within thirty (30) days after their delivery, you will be deemed to have elected not to renew the Franchise.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 39–40)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the renewal agreement will replace the original franchise agreement in all respects. To renew the franchise, the franchisee, Aw, and the franchisee's owners must sign the then-current form of standard franchise agreement. This new agreement may contain different royalty fees, advertising fees, other fees, and provisions from the original agreement.
In addition to the new franchise agreement, franchisees must also sign any ancillary agreements Aw is then using for new or renewal franchises for Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurants, with modifications to reflect that it is a renewal. Franchisees must also sign a general release of any and all claims against Aw, its affiliates, officers, directors, shareholders, employees, and agents, in a form satisfactory to Aw.
If the franchisee or any of their owners refuse to sign the new franchise agreement, ancillary agreements, and releases within 30 days of delivery, they will be deemed to have elected not to renew the Aw franchise. This highlights the importance of carefully reviewing the terms of the renewal agreement, as they may differ significantly from the original agreement and could impact the franchisee's obligations and rights.