Who is responsible for the costs of architectural and engineering plans for a Lees Famous Recipe restaurant?

According to the 2025 Lees Famous Recipe FDD, the franchisee is responsible for all costs associated with architectural and engineering plans. This includes retaining a licensed architect to prepare construction plans that comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, building codes, permit requirements, lease requirements, and restrictions. The franchisee is also responsible for the cost of any modifications to these plans. However, Lees Famous Recipe must approve all final plans before construction begins.

This requirement means a significant upfront expense for franchisees, as they must budget for professional architectural and engineering services. The cost for building and improvements for a Streamlined location is estimated to be between $180,000 and $500,000, while for a Non-Traditional location, it is estimated to be between $150,000 and $312,500. These costs include architectural and engineering plans. For a Traditional Stand-Alone location, the cost is much higher, ranging from $800,000 to $1,200,000 for a new structure and $200,000 to $560,000 for re-imaging an existing structure.

Given the wide range of potential costs, it is crucial for prospective Lees Famous Recipe franchisees to obtain detailed quotes from qualified architects and engineers in their area. They should also factor in potential modification costs and ensure that their plans align with Lees Famous Recipe's requirements to avoid delays or additional expenses. This also highlights the importance of site selection, as different locations may have varying regulatory requirements that impact architectural and engineering costs.