Under what conditions does an Aw franchisee have the right to renew their franchise?
Aw Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
u, and thereafter, we may establish another Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant in the former Protected Area or (iii) terminate this Agreement upon delivery of written notice to you.
3. RENEWAL OF FRANCHISE
- 3.1 Franchisee's Right to Renew. Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 3.2 below, and if you have substantially complied with all provisions of this Agreement and any other agreement between us, then on expiration of the initial term of the Franchise, you will have the right to renew the Franchise for one (1) additional successive term of ten (10) years if: (1) you maintain possession of the Premises, or (2) you are unable to maintain possession of the Premises or in our judgment the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant should be relocated, and you secure an approved substitute premises and agree to expeditiously develop the substitute premises in compliance with specifications and standards then applicable under new or renewal franchises for Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurants. You and your Owners must also comply with our then-current training requirements and attend such training classes as we deem necessary. We will charge you a renewal fee of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) for services we render to you and expenses we incur in conjunction with the renewal.
- 3.2 Notice of Renewal and Nonrenewal. You must give us written notice of your election to exercise your option to renew at least nine (9) months before the end of the term of this Agreement. Within sixty (60) days of our receipt of your notice, we agree to give you written notice of any deficiencies in your operation or historical performance of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant which could cause us not to renew the Franchise. Our notice will state what actions, if any, you must take to correct the deficiencies in your operation of the Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant or of the Premises and will specify the time period in which those deficiencies must be corrected. Renewal of the Franchise will be conditioned on your continued compliance with all the terms and conditions of this Agreement up to the date of expiration. If we send a notice of nonrenewal it will state the reasons for our refusal to renew. If we do not give you a deficiency notice within sixty (60) days after receipt of your renewal notice, or if we do not give you notice of our decision not to renew the Franchise six (6) months before the expiration of the term of this Agreement, we may extend the term of this Agreement for any period of time necessary in order to provide you reasonable time to cure the deficiencies or to provide the six (6) month non-renewal notice required under this Agreement.
- 3.3 Renewal Agreement; Releases. To renew the franchise, the Company, you and your Owners must sign the then-current form of standard franchise agreement, which agreement will replace this Agreement in all respects, and which may contain royalty fees, advertising fees and other fees and provisions that differ from those contained in this Agreement; any ancillary agreements we are then customarily using in the grant or renewal of franchises for the operation
of Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurants (with appropriate modifications to reflect the fact that the agreement relates to the grant of a renewal franchise); and a general release, in a form satisfactory to us, of any and all claims against us and our affiliates, and our respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, and agents. If either you or any of your Owners refuse to sign those agreements and releases within thirty (30) days after their delivery, you will be deemed to have elected not to renew the Franchise.
3.4 Remodeling. As a condition for renewal, you must make reasonable capital expenditures to remodel, upgrade and redecorate the Premises so that your Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant reflects the then-current image intended to be portrayed by a Papa Ray's Pizza Restaurant, including trade dress, color schemes, lay-out, fixtures, furniture and equipment and presentation of the Marks. All remodeling and all replacements, upgrades or redecoration of the Premises must be done in accordance with standards and specifications as prescribed by us from time to time
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 39–40)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee has the right to renew their franchise for one additional ten-year term if they have substantially complied with all provisions of the franchise agreement and any other agreement with Aw. This right is contingent upon maintaining possession of the premises. If maintaining possession is not possible, the franchisee must secure an approved substitute premises and agree to develop it according to Aw's current specifications and standards for new or renewal franchises.
To exercise the renewal option, the franchisee and their owners must comply with Aw's then-current training requirements and attend any necessary training classes. The franchisee must also provide Aw with written notice of their election to renew at least nine months before the end of the current franchise term. Aw will then charge a renewal fee of $2,500 for services rendered and expenses incurred during the renewal process.
Aw has the right to provide written notice of any deficiencies in the franchisee's operation or historical performance within sixty days of receiving the renewal notice. This notice will specify the actions needed to correct these deficiencies and the timeframe for correction. Continued compliance with all terms and conditions of the agreement up to the expiration date is required for renewal. The franchisee and Aw must sign the then-current form of standard franchise agreement, ancillary agreements, and a general release of claims against Aw and its affiliates. Refusal to sign these agreements and releases within thirty days after delivery will be deemed an election not to renew the franchise.
As a condition for renewal, the franchisee must make reasonable capital expenditures to remodel, upgrade, and redecorate the premises to reflect the then-current image of an Aw restaurant. This includes trade dress, color schemes, layout, fixtures, furniture, equipment, and presentation of the marks, all in accordance with Aw's standards and specifications. This remodeling obligation is in addition to the franchisee's ongoing obligations to maintain the condition and appearance of the premises during the term of the agreement.