Are the Plans provided by ADQ to Dq Treat franchisees considered the property of ADQ?
Dq_Treat Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Further, if your local architect makes revisions to ADQ Plans, these revisions shall become the property of ADQ, and ADQ has the right to use those plans in any manner in the future.
Source: Item 17 — The following paragraph is added to the end of Item 17 of the Disclosure Document: (FDD pages 70–378)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Dq Treat Franchise Disclosure Document, the plans provided by ADQ are considered the property of ADQ. If a Dq Treat franchisee's local architect makes revisions to ADQ's plans, these revisions become the property of ADQ. ADQ retains the right to use these revised plans in any manner in the future.
This means that while franchisees are responsible for ensuring the plans comply with local codes and can modify them as needed, any changes made by their architects ultimately belong to ADQ. This allows Dq Treat to maintain control over its brand standards and potentially incorporate successful modifications into future designs.
This clause protects Dq Treat's intellectual property and ensures consistency across franchise locations. However, it also means that franchisees do not retain ownership of improvements made to the building plans, even if they paid for the modifications. Franchisees should factor this into their decision-making process when considering the costs and benefits of investing in a Dq Treat franchise.