factual

Does Aw require franchisee approval for assignment of the franchise agreement?

Aw Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

ssessing compliance with the System, and/or measuring customer satisfaction in Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurants.

14. OWNERSHIP; ASSIGNMENT

  • 14.1 Assignment by the Company. This Agreement and the Franchise are fully assignable by us and will inure to the benefit of any assignee or other legal successor to the interest of the Company herein.
  • 14.2 By Franchisee With Approval. You understand and acknowledge that the rights and duties created by this Agreement are personal to you and we have granted the franchise in reliance upon the individual or collective character, skill, aptitude, attitude, business ability and financial capacity of you (and your Owners). Therefore, except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 14.5 below, neither the franchise, your Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant or a substantial portion of the assets of your Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant (or any interest therein) nor any part or all of the ownership of an entity that is the Franchisee may be voluntarily, involuntarily, directly or indirectly, assigned, sold, subdivided, subfranchised or otherwise transferred by you or your Owners (including, without limitation, by merger or consolidation, by issuance of additional securities representing an ownership interest in the Franchisee, or in the event of the death of the Franchisee or an Owner of the Franchisee, by will, declaration of or transfer in trust or the laws of intestate succession) without our prior written

approval. Further, neither your Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant nor a substantial portion of its assets may be transferred without a concurrent transfer of this Agreement and the franchise rights granted hereunder to the same transferee. Any such assignment or transfer without our prior written approval will constitute a breach of this Agreement and will convey no rights to or interests in the franchise, the franchisee entity, your Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant or its assets.

  • 14.3 Conditions for Approval of Assignment. If you (and your Owners) are in compliance with this Agreement, we will not unreasonably withhold our approval of an assignment, provided that the proposed assignee is, in our opinion, of good moral character and has sufficient business experience, aptitude and financial resources to own and operate a Pap Ray's Restaurant, does not have any conflicting interests unacceptable to us, and otherwise meets our then applicable standards for franchisees. In addition the following conditions must be met prior to, or concurrently with, the effective date of the assignment:
  • (a) all obligations of you and your Owners incurred in connection with this Agreement have been assumed by the assignee and, as applicable, its owners;
  • (b) you have paid such royalty fees, marketing fund contributions, amounts for purchases and any other amounts owed to us or our affiliates which are then due and unpaid;
  • (c) the assignee completes the initial training program required of new franchisees to our satisfaction;
  • (d) if required, the lessor of the Premises has consented to your assignment or sublease of the Premises to the proposed assignee;
  • (e) the assignee (and, if an entity, its direct or indirect owners) have, at our option, executed and agreed to be bound by either: (a) the form of franchise agreement, owner guarantees and such other ancillary agreements as are then customarily used by us in the grant of franchises for a Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant, which may provide for royalty fees, marketing fund contributions and other fees and terms and conditions that differ from those contained in this Agreement; or (b) an assignment and assumption agreement satisfactory to us whereby the assignee assumes your obligations under this Agreement;
  • (f) You or the assignee must have paid us a transfer fee of Nine Thousand Dollars ($9,000.00). In the event the assignee is an existing franchisee that we have approved for an additional franchise, the transfer fee shall be Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00);
  • (g) except to the extent limited or prohibited by applicable law, you (and each of your Owners) must have executed a general release, in form satisfactory to us, of any and all claims against us and our affiliates, officers, directors, employees and agents;
  • (h) we must have approved the material terms and conditions of the assignment from you to the proposed assignee and must have determined that the price and terms of payment are not so

burdensome as to adversely affect the future operations of your Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant by the assignee;

  • (i) you must have entered into an agreement with us agreeing that any obligations of the assignee to make installment payments of the purchase price to you will be subordinate to the assignee's ongoing obligations to us, including, without limitation, royalty fees, marketing fund contributions, obligations for purchases from us or our affiliates and any other amounts owed to us or our affiliates.

Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 39–40)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees need prior written approval from Aw to assign or transfer their franchise agreement. Aw grants the franchise based on the franchisee's individual characteristics, skills, business ability, and financial capacity. Any assignment or transfer without Aw's approval constitutes a breach of the agreement and conveys no rights to the franchise.

The FDD outlines specific conditions for Aw's approval of an assignment. Aw will not unreasonably withhold approval if the franchisee is in compliance with the agreement and the proposed assignee has good moral character, sufficient business experience, aptitude, and financial resources. The assignee must also not have any conflicting interests and must meet Aw's standards for franchisees.

Additional conditions include the assignee assuming all obligations, payment of outstanding amounts owed to Aw, completion of the initial training program, and consent from the lessor of the premises, if required. The assignee must also execute Aw's current franchise agreement or an assignment and assumption agreement. A transfer fee is required, typically $9,000, but it is reduced to $5,000 if the assignee is an existing franchisee approved for an additional franchise.

In the event of death or permanent disability, the franchisee's representative must transfer the interest within six months to a person approved by Aw, subject to the same assignment conditions. Failure to do so can result in termination of the agreement. A competent manager, approved by Aw, must be appointed within 30 days of the event, and may be required to attend training. These stipulations ensure that Aw maintains control over who operates its franchises and that the brand's standards are upheld even in unforeseen circumstances.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.