According to the FDD, what are the Development Plans for a Petro Stopping Center?
Petro_Stopping_Center Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
5. Petro® CENTER DEVELOPMENT; SECURITY INTEREST.
5.1 Development.
(a) Plans. You are obligated at your expense to develop and equip the Petro Center in accordance with all of our required plans, space plans, and specifications to suit the use, shape and dimensions of the Petro Center ("Development Plans") and to ensure that such Development Plans and specifications comply with applicable ordinances, codes and permit requirements, and Petro System Standards. If you are converting an existing travel center to a Petro Center (a Conversion Development, as indicated in Exhibit "C"), then the Development Plans will show the necessary changes and upgrades required to convert the Site to a Petro Center. In addition to all of the other requirements set forth herein and pursuant to the Petro System Standards, the Petro Center must be developed in accordance with the minimum requirements set forth at Exhibit "C" (the "Minimum Requirements"). We reserve the right to revise or increase the Minimum Requirements from time to time in our sole discretion, upon prior notice to you. We may require you to hire your own architect to review, modify, and approve the Development Plans. We may also require you to utilize such software or other electronic tools as we designate in connection with the Development Plans. You will be solely responsible for the costs of your architect and for the license fees and other costs relating to the software and electronic tools that we designate.
- (b) Changes.
We may make changes to the Development Plans that we specify from time to time during the development of the Petro Center.
You and your respective vendors and service providers must not begin development, remodeling or otherwise construct the Petro Center until we have approved the Development Plans.
Our changes to the Development Plans during the build-out or development of your Petro Center may result in increased costs to you, and you agree to be responsible for such increased costs.
You and your respective vendors and services providers must make no changes to the approved Development Plans unless such changes are presented to and approved by us.
- (c) Compliance with Laws.
You are solely responsible for complying with all laws, ordinances, rules and regulations relating directly or indirectly to the development and operation of the Petro Center, including any laws, rules or regulations regarding public accommodations for Persons with disabilities.
You are solely responsible for any and all claims, liabilities, costs and images relating to non-compliance or alleged non-compliance with any such laws, rules, ordinances or regulations, and you must remedy, at your expense, any such non-compliance or alleged non-compliance.
We will not approve any service provider or supplier to you (e.g., architects, builders, designers, etc.) unless they, at our option, agree to assign to us the plans, drawings or designs, used by you in connection with their manufacture or modification of the Petro Center, or at our option, their agreement to license to us such plans, drawings or designs for use in connection with Petro Centers.
- (d) Diligent Efforts.
You must, at all times, make good faith diligent efforts to develop and open the Petro Center in a timely manner, including by promptly, expeditiously, and continuously working to: (i) obtain any necessary financing (pursuant to Section 4.4); (ii) obtain all governmental permits and approvals; and (iii) commence and complete construction.
- 5.2 Petro® Center Opening.
You agree not to open the Petro Center or any other aspect of the Petro Center for business until:
(a) we approve the Petro Center as developed, including any alterations to the Development Plans made by you, and you have acquired an opening inventory sufficient to meet our Petro System Standards;
(b) your Managing Owner and managers have completed training regarding the Petro System and Petro System Standards to our satisfaction as set forth in Section 6;
(c) pre-opening training of Personnel at the Site regarding the Petro System and Petro System Standards has been completed to our satisfaction;
(d) the Franchise Fee and all other amounts then due to us, your landlord, governmental authorities and your suppliers including Approved Suppliers, have been paid;
(e) you have obtained all required building, utility, sign, health, sanitation, business permits, certificates and licenses required to operate the Petro Center;
(f) we have been furnished with copies of all insurance policies required by this Agreement, or such other evidence of insurance coverage and payment of premiums as we request or accept;
(g) we have received signed counterparts of all required documents pertaining to your acquisition or lease of the Petro Center (including any required agreements between you and us); and
(h) we have provided you with written authorization to open the Petro Center for business.
5.3 Opening Deadline.
You agree to open the Petro Center for business no later than twenty four (24) months from the Agreement Date (the "Opening Deadline").
Source: Item 14 — Other investments (FDD pages 131–208)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Petro Stopping Center's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are obligated to develop and equip their Petro Center according to the franchisor's required plans, space plans, and specifications, ensuring compliance with applicable ordinances, codes, permit requirements, and Petro System Standards. These plans, known as "Development Plans," must suit the use, shape, and dimensions of the Petro Center. If converting an existing travel center, the Development Plans should outline necessary changes and upgrades. The Petro Stopping Center may revise or increase the Minimum Requirements from time to time in its sole discretion, upon prior notice to you. The franchisee may be required to hire an architect to review and approve the Development Plans and utilize specific software or electronic tools, bearing the associated costs.
The franchisee cannot begin development, remodeling, or construction until Petro Stopping Center approves the Development Plans. Any changes made to the Development Plans during the build-out may increase costs, which the franchisee is responsible for. No changes can be made to the approved plans without the franchisor's approval. The franchisee is solely responsible for complying with all laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations related to the development and operation of the Petro Center, including those regarding public accommodations for individuals with disabilities, and must cover all associated claims, liabilities, and costs.
The franchisee must make diligent efforts to develop and open the Petro Center in a timely manner, including securing necessary financing and governmental permits, and commencing and completing construction. The Petro Stopping Center will not approve service providers or suppliers unless they agree to assign or license the plans, drawings, or designs to the franchisor. The franchisee cannot open the Petro Center until the franchisor approves the development, the franchisee has acquired sufficient opening inventory, the Managing Owner and managers have completed training, pre-opening training of personnel has been completed, all due amounts have been paid, all required permits and licenses have been obtained, and the franchisor has provided written authorization. The franchisee agrees to open the Petro Center for business no later than twenty four (24) months from the Agreement Date (the "Opening Deadline").