Does a Gold Star Store need to conform to Gold Star's design standards?

ime, recommend or suggest prices to FRANCHISEE for the Products sold or offered at the Store. FRANCHISEE is under no obligation to accept any such recommendation or suggestion. FRANCHISEE is, and shall be at all times, free to charge prices entirely of its own choosing, regardless of whether the same do or do not conform to the recommended or suggested prices.

• 5.9 Changes to the Store. The Store must conform to the appearance, quality, function, design, equipment, furnishing and supply standards of the COMPANY, and, once approved, may not be changed without the prior written approval of the COMPANY. The Retail Location may be constructed, refurbished or altered only in accordance with plans and specifications approved in writing in advance by the COMPANY. Once approved, the plans and specifications may not be altered or modified in any way without the prior written approval of the COMPANY. The contractor chosen by FRANCHISEE to perform any construction, refurbishing or alteration must be reasonably satisfactory to the COMPANY, and the COMPANY shall have the right at its option to participate in any punchlist or other inspection.
• 5.10 Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment. FRANCHISEE shall at its expense purchase, install and use any furniture, fixtures, leasehold improvements, equipment, supplies, uniforms and signs required by the COMPANY and may purchase, install or use only such furniture, fixtures, leasehold improvements, equipment, supplies, uniforms and signs as are approved by the COMPANY in the Manual or otherwise in writing. FRANCHISEE also must obtain the COMPANY's prior written approval for the alteration or replacement of any such items. These conditions are required to ensure that such items meet the System Standards. Such items and the suppliers thereof must satisfy the conditions applicable to approval under Section 7, below.

• 5.11 Upkeep of Store. FRANCHISEE shall, at its sole expense, repair and paint the interior and exterior of the Retail Location at reasonable times or upon the reasonable request of the COMPANY. FRANCHISEE shall, at its sole expense, at all times maintain the interior and exterior of the Store, the signs, furniture, fixtures and equipment therein contained, and the surrounding area in a clean and attractive condition satisfactory to the COMPANY and in compliance with the COMPANY's design, appearance, decor and other standards.
• 5.12 Refurbishment of Store. At the request of the COMPANY, FRANCHISEE will refurbish the Store at its own expense to conform to the trade dress, color schemes and presentation of the Marks in a manner consistent with the image then in effect for new Gold Star Chili restaurants under the System. Such refurbishment may include structural changes, installation of new equipment and signs, remodeling, redecoration, and modifications to existing improvements. FRANCHISEE will complete the refurbishing within the time period specified by the COMPANY pursuant to Section 3.3 hereof. FRANCHISEE acknowledges that the COMPANY cannot estimate the costs of refurbishment but any request by the COMPANY will be in its reasonable discretion.

Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 53–163)