Who is responsible for the management of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant as an independent franchise owner/operator for Aw?
Aw Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You are solely responsible for the management of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant as an independent franchise owner/operator.
- 11.10 Management. The Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant at all times must be under the direct, on-premises supervision of you, a Principal Owner, or an operating manager who has successfully completed our training program and who will manage the day-to-day operations of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant ("Operating Manager").
If any Operating Manager ceases to act as the manager of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant, you must manage the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant until such time as a replacement manager has satisfactorily completed the training program.
You must notify us in writing of the name of each Operating Manager you designate before they begin managing the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant, and you agree that we may direct communications to the Operating Manager.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 39–40)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is solely responsible for the management of their Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant as an independent owner/operator. However, the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant must be under the direct, on-premises supervision of the franchisee, a Principal Owner, or an operating manager who has successfully completed Aw's training program and who will manage the day-to-day operations of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant.
This means that while Aw franchisees have significant autonomy in running their restaurants, they must ensure that a trained and qualified individual is always overseeing operations. This individual could be the franchisee themselves, a principal owner, or a designated operating manager who has completed Aw's training. If the operating manager leaves, the franchisee must manage the restaurant until a replacement is trained.
This requirement ensures brand consistency and adherence to Aw's standards. The franchisee is responsible for notifying Aw in writing of the name of each Operating Manager they designate before they begin managing the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant, and Aw may direct communications to the Operating Manager. This allows Aw to maintain communication and oversight, even though the franchisee is ultimately responsible for the restaurant's management.