What is the Dq Treat franchisee's obligation regarding the construction and equipping of their store?
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.
You may only use or purchase products approved by ADQ that meet ADQ's specifications. For purposes of this Item 8, "products" includes products, services, ingredients, supplies, signage, fixtures, furnishings, advertising and sales promotion materials, and equipment (including hardware and software for a computerized electronic point-of-sale ("EPOS") system or other
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 are responsible for the construction and equipping of their stores. While franchisees are not required to purchase or lease real estate from Dq Treat or its affiliates, they must get Dq Treat's consent for the store's location. Dq Treat retains the right to approve the lease for the store premises before it is executed.
The franchisee is obligated to construct and equip the store according to Dq Treat's current design, specifications, and standards. This includes ensuring that the building plans comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Furthermore, franchisees must modernize their building, premises, equipment, signage, and grounds to meet Dq Treat's then-current standards for new, similarly situated Dq Treat restaurants. This modernization is required when the franchise is renewed, when the franchise is transferred under certain conditions, and every 10 years, or more frequently if required by any applicable lease or sublease for the premises. Franchisees must only use or purchase products approved by Dq Treat that meet the company's specifications.