Is there a time limit for Moes Southwest Grill to approve or disapprove of a site?

According to Moe's Southwest Grill's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, there is no specified time limit for them to approve or disapprove a potential restaurant site. Moe's Southwest Grill will review the location selected by the franchisee and accept it if it meets their minimum site criteria, at which point it becomes the 'Accepted Location'. The franchisee cannot acquire the location until Moe's Southwest Grill has accepted it.

If the franchisee and Moe's Southwest Grill have not agreed on a location when signing the Franchise Agreement, the franchisee must select a location that complies with Moe's Southwest Grill's site selection criteria within a specified geographic area. Moe's Southwest Grill may require a site selection analysis from an approved supplier, costing an estimated $2,500 to $5,000, to assess factors like traffic, demographics, and competition. Factors considered by Moe's Southwest Grill include population density, traffic flow, visibility, parking, income, and local competition.

While Moe's Southwest Grill may assist in site selection, they are not obligated to do so. The franchisee is expected to retain an independent expert to evaluate the site's suitability and conduct their own investigation. Moe's Southwest Grill disclaims responsibility for the site's suitability, and their acceptance is based only on meeting minimum criteria, not a guarantee of success. Franchisees should consider this lack of a defined approval timeline and the disclaimer of suitability carefully, as it places the onus of thorough due diligence on them.