Does Aw require franchisees to conduct an independent investigation of the business?

According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees acknowledge that they have conducted an independent investigation of the business contemplated by the Franchise Agreement. This acknowledgement is part of the standard agreement that franchisees must sign.

This clause confirms that Aw expects franchisees to take responsibility for evaluating the franchise opportunity themselves. This means a prospective Aw franchisee should not rely solely on the information provided by Aw but should actively seek out additional information to make an informed decision.

To fulfill this requirement, a potential Aw franchisee should consider consulting with business advisors, attorneys, and current Aw franchisees to gather more information. Thorough due diligence is essential to assess the risks and opportunities associated with investing in an Aw franchise.