For a Moes Southwest Grill franchise, who is the franchisee required to engage for architectural services?
Moes_Southwest_Grill Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
e any items used in the Franchised Business to meet our minimum Standards and/or to be sourced from suppliers or consolidators
that we have designated or approved. You must purchase certain items of machinery and equipment and other items used in the Franchised Business from our designated or approved consolidators or as we otherwise direct. The designated consolidators will coordinate the ordering and delivery of your machinery and equipment. You may request a waiver of the requirement that you use our designated consolidators if you can demonstrate that you can successfully manage the process of ordering and obtaining your machinery and equipment.
6.2 Architectural Plans.
A. Architectural Requirements.
- (i) Architect. You must engage, at your expense, a licensed architect ("Architect") that we have designated or pre-approved, unless we, in our sole discretion, agree in writing to accept an Architect that you propose. Our designation, pre-approval, or acceptance of an Architect will not in any way be our endorsement of such Architect or render us liable for such Architect's performance or such Architect's compliance with professional design standards or adherence to local codes. You also must engage, at your expense, licensed engineers (e.g., mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or structural engineers), as necessary or appropriate.
- (ii) Architectural Plans. We will provide you with a sample layout for the interior of a typical Business and specifications for furniture, fixtures, equipment, and décor. Your Architect and engineer must prepare your plans, modify or complete the layouts, renderings, plans, and specifications, which must include interior and exterior elevations of the Accepted Location (the "Architectural Plans").
- B. Compliance with Legal Requirements. You must, before we approve the Architectural Plans, have your architect or you certify to us that the Architectural Plans comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (the "ADA"), the architectural guidelines under the ADA, and all other federal, state, and local statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances, and codes (collectively, "Laws") that apply to the Franchised Business.
- C. Submission of Plans. You must submit to us at least 30 days before the Construction Start Deadline (as defined in Section 6.5.B. (Construction Start Deadline)) a complete set of final Architectural Plans. We will promptly review the Architectural Plans and will either accept the Arch
Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD page 92)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Moe's Southwest Grill Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must engage a licensed architect at their own expense. This architect must be either designated or pre-approved by Moe's Southwest Grill, unless Moe's agrees in writing to accept an architect proposed by the franchisee.
The FDD clarifies that Moe's Southwest Grill's designation, pre-approval, or acceptance of an architect does not constitute an endorsement and does not render them liable for the architect's performance, adherence to professional design standards, or compliance with local codes. Franchisees are also responsible for engaging licensed engineers (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or structural) as necessary or appropriate for the project.
Moe's Southwest Grill will provide a sample layout for the interior of a typical business, along with specifications for furniture, fixtures, equipment, and décor. The franchisee's architect and engineer are then required to prepare the Architectural Plans, modifying or completing the provided layouts, renderings, plans, and specifications. These plans must include interior and exterior elevations of the accepted location. This process ensures that the restaurant's design aligns with Moe's Southwest Grill's brand standards while also meeting all applicable legal and safety requirements.
Before Moe's Southwest Grill approves the Architectural Plans, the franchisee's architect or the franchisee themselves must certify that the plans comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and codes. The franchisee must submit the final Architectural Plans to Moe's Southwest Grill at least 30 days before the construction start deadline. Moe's Southwest Grill will review the plans and either accept them or provide comments on required changes. After the initial review and one revision, Moe's Southwest Grill may charge a fee of $2,500 for each subsequent set of drawings reviewed that include modifications from previously accepted plans. Construction cannot begin until Moe's Southwest Grill has accepted the final Architectural Plans in writing.