What standards must a Dog Haus franchisee adhere to when exercising control over the day-to-day operations of the Dog Haus Restaurant?
Dog_Haus Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
To protect the Dog Haus System, the Dog Haus Marks, the Dog Haus Trade Secrets and the goodwill associated with the same:
7.1 Dog Haus System. Franchisee shall operate the Dog Haus Restaurant in compliance with the terms of this Agreement and the Manuals. Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that Franchisee alone shall exercise dayto-day control over all operations, activities and elements of the Dog Haus Restaurant, including over Franchisee's employees, and that under no circumstance shall Franchisor do so or be deemed to do so. Franchisee further acknowledges and agrees that the various requirements, restrictions, prohibitions, specifications and procedures of the Dog Haus System with which Franchisee must comply under this Agreement, the Manuals or otherwise, do not directly or indirectly constitute, suggest, infer or imply that Franchisor controls any aspect or element of the day-to-day operations of the Dog Haus Restaurant, which Franchisee alone controls, but only constitute standards to which Franchisee must adhere when exercising Franchisee's control over the day-to-day operations of the Dog Haus Restaurant consistent with the policies of Franchisor. Franchisee shall comply with Franchisor's standards and shall operate the Franchised Restaurant in conformity with the methods, standards, and specifications that Franchisor may from time to time prescribe in the Manuals or otherwise. Franchisee shall comply, at Franchisee's expense, with all modifications prescribed by Franchisor and shall implement changes to the Dog Haus System within the time periods specified by Franchisor following Franchisee's receipt of notice from Franchisor to do so. Franchisee shall refrain from deviating from the methods, standards, and specifications without Franchisor's prior written consent and from otherwise operating in any manner which reflects adversely
- 7.15 Compliance with Applicable Law.
Franchisee shall operate the Franchised Restaurant as a clean, orderly, legal and respectable place of business in accordance with Franchisor's business standards and merchandising policies and shall comply with all Applicable Laws.
Franchisee shall not cause or allow any part of the Franchised Restaurant or the Franchised Location to be used for any immoral or illegal purpose.
Franchisee shall in all dealings with its customers, suppliers, and public officials adhere to high standards of honesty, integrity, fair dealing and ethical conduct and refrain from engaging in any action which will cause Franchisor to be in violation of any Applicable Law.
If Franchisee shall receive any notice, report, fine, test results or the like from any applicable department of health (or other similar Governmental Authority), Franchisee shall promptly send a copy of the same to Franchisor.
- 7.16 Hours.
Subject to Applicable Law, Dog Haus Fast Casual Restaurants shall be open and operational at least eleven (11) hours per day, seven (7) days per week or as otherwise prescribed by Franchisor and Dog Haus Biergarten Restaurants shall be open and operational at least thirteen (13) hours per day, seven (7) days per week or as otherwise prescribed by Franchisor.
Franchisee shall continually operate the Franchised Restaurant throughout the Term.
Franchisee shall diligently and efficiently exercise its best efforts to achieve the maximum Gross Sales possible from its Franchised Location, and shall remain open for longer hours if additional opening hours are reasonably required to maximize operations and sales.
- 7.17 Signs.
Franchisee shall maintain approved signs and/or awnings at, on, or near the front of the Franchised Restaurant, identifying the Franchised Location as a Franchised Restaurant, which shall conform in all respects to Franchisor's specifications and requirements and the layout and design plan approved for the Franchised Location, subject only to restrictions imposed by Applicable Law.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 87)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Dog Haus's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are responsible for the day-to-day control of their restaurant's operations, including employee management. However, this control must be exercised in accordance with the standards set forth in the franchise agreement and the manuals provided by Dog Haus. These standards ensure consistency and quality across all franchise locations, protecting the brand's reputation and goodwill.
Specifically, Dog Haus franchisees must operate their restaurants in compliance with all applicable laws, maintaining a clean, orderly, and respectable business environment. They are expected to adhere to high standards of honesty, integrity, fair dealing, and ethical conduct in all interactions with customers, suppliers, and public officials. Franchisees must also comply with Dog Haus's business standards and merchandising policies.
Furthermore, franchisees are required to maintain specific hours of operation, with Dog Haus Fast Casual Restaurants being open at least eleven hours a day, seven days a week, and Dog Haus Biergarten Restaurants being open at least thirteen hours a day, seven days a week, or as otherwise prescribed by Dog Haus. They must also maintain approved signage that conforms to Dog Haus's specifications. These requirements ensure that the franchisee operates in a manner that aligns with the Dog Haus brand and meets customer expectations.