Who is responsible for employment decisions at an Aw Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant?
Aw Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 39–40)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for all employment decisions at their Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant. This includes hiring, firing, determining compensation and benefits, setting work hours and rules, maintaining records, supervising employees, and handling disciplinary actions. The franchisee is required to staff the restaurant with enough managers, assistant managers, and employees to meet operational standards and provide adequate customer service.
This means that as an Aw franchisee, you have complete control over the staffing of your restaurant. You are considered an independent contractor and are responsible for complying with all employment laws. Aw does not act as your employer or the employer of your staff.
However, Aw does set some standards for employees. Franchisees must implement a training program that meets Aw's standards, and employees must maintain a neat and clean appearance while wearing uniforms that meet Aw's specifications. Additionally, franchisees are restricted from recruiting or hiring employees (or former employees within six months of their departure) from other Papa Ray's Pizza restaurants operated by Aw, its affiliates, or other franchisees without prior written consent from Aw.
While Aw provides operating assistance and an Operations Manual, these resources are intended to protect the brand and system, not to control the day-to-day operations of the restaurant. The franchisee is solely responsible for the daily management and control of their Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant.