Is a Moes Southwest Grill franchisee required to engage licensed engineers?
Moes_Southwest_Grill Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
develop architectural plans, 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. (Franchise Agreement, Section 6.2.A.(i))
- 5. Plans and Build-out. We will provide a sample layout and specifications for the Restaurant. We will review the Architectural Plans developed by your Architect and engineers. Our review of the Architectural Plans is limited to ensuring your compliance with our Standards and is not designed to assess structural integrity or compliance with applicable laws. After our initial review of your Architectural Plans at no cost and our review of one revised set of Architectural Plans that incorporate our required changes at no cost, we may charge a fee of $2,500 for each set of drawings we review that include any other modifications from the plans that we have previously accepted. We must accept your Architectural Plans in writing prior to you submitting them for permits and beginning construction. Duri
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 53–68)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Moe's Southwest Grill's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to engage licensed engineers. Specifically, franchisees must hire licensed engineers such as mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or structural engineers, as necessary or appropriate for the restaurant build-out. The franchisee bears the expense of these engineers.
Moe's Southwest Grill will provide a sample layout and specifications for the restaurant and will review the architectural plans developed by the franchisee's architect and engineers. However, Moe's review is limited to ensuring compliance with their standards and does not assess structural integrity or compliance with applicable laws. After an initial free review and a free review of one revised set of plans, Moe's may charge $2,500 for each subsequent review of modified plans.
The architectural plans must be accepted in writing by Moe's Southwest Grill before the franchisee submits them for permits and begins construction. During construction, Moe's may inspect the restaurant or photographs to ensure compliance with the architectural plans and standards, and may charge a $2,500 on-site inspection fee if they conduct two or more on-site inspections. The restaurant cannot be opened until Moe's provides written consent.