Must a Dq Treat franchisee ensure that their building plans comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act?
Dq_Treat Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
While you are not required to purchase or lease real estate from ADQ or its affiliates, you must obtain ADQ's consent to the location of your store, and ADQ has the right but not the obligation to approve the lease for the store premises prior to execution. You must construct and equip your store according to the then-current design, specifications and standards and must ensure that your building plans comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act and all other federal, state and local laws.
You must modernize your building, premises, equipment, signage and grounds to conform to ADQ's then-current standards for similarly situated new DQ® restaurants when you renew your franchise, on transfer of the franchise under certain circumstances, and every 10 years or any shorter period required by any applicable lease or sublease for the premises.
Source: Item 8 — UItem 8U***:** U**Restrictions on Sources of Products and Services (FDD pages 29–35)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Dq Treat's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must ensure their building plans comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws. This requirement is part of maintaining Dq Treat's quality standards and uniform image throughout the DQ system. While franchisees are not required to purchase or lease real estate from ADQ or its affiliates, they must obtain ADQ's consent for the store's location. ADQ retains the right, but not the obligation, to approve the lease for the store premises before it is executed.
This compliance extends to constructing and equipping the store according to Dq Treat's current design, specifications, and standards. This ensures that all Dq Treat locations are accessible to individuals with disabilities, as mandated by the ADA. The franchisee bears the responsibility of ensuring that the building plans adhere to these legal requirements during the construction phase.
Furthermore, Dq Treat franchisees are obligated to modernize their buildings, premises, equipment, signage, and grounds to meet ADQ's then-current standards for new DQ restaurants. This modernization is required upon franchise renewal, under certain transfer circumstances, and every 10 years, or sooner if required by the applicable lease or sublease. This ongoing commitment to compliance and modernization helps maintain a consistent brand image and ensures accessibility standards are continuously met.