Does Aw require me to disclose ideas, inventions, formulas, concepts, methods, techniques or improvements relating to the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant that I develop?
Aw Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
In addition, in the course of the operation of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant, and for six (6) months after the termination or expiration of this Agreement, you or your employees may develop ideas, inventions, formulas, concepts, methods, techniques or improvements relating to the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant, which you agree to disclose to us and which we may then authorize you to use in the operation of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant. You agree that any corresponding intellectual property rights (including without limitation any rights in utility or design patents, know-how, trade secrets, trademarks, services marks and copyrights) in such ideas, inventions, formulas, concepts, methods, techniques or improvements will be our property and the title and rights to which shall be legally assigned to us immediately in writing by you, your Owners, your managers and/or employees. All of such information developed by you or your employees will be included in the term "Confidential Information," as defined above.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 39–40)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if you or your employees develop any ideas, inventions, formulas, concepts, methods, techniques, or improvements related to the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant, you are required to disclose them to Aw. This obligation extends not only during the term of the franchise agreement but also for six months after its termination or expiration.
Aw has the right to authorize your use of these developments in the operation of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant. However, any intellectual property rights associated with these developments, including patents, know-how, trade secrets, trademarks, service marks, and copyrights, will become the property of Aw. You, your owners, managers, and employees must legally assign the title and rights to Aw in writing.
This means that while you may come up with innovative solutions or improvements for the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant, Aw will own the rights to those innovations. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, as it allows the franchisor to maintain consistency and control over the brand and system. The information developed by you or your employees will be considered "Confidential Information".
As a prospective franchisee, it is important to understand that any creative ideas or improvements you develop for the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant will ultimately belong to Aw. While you may benefit from implementing these ideas during your franchise operation, you will not retain ownership of the intellectual property.