Is a Petro Stopping Center franchisee responsible for the costs of their architect related to the Development Plans?
Petro_Stopping_Center Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
(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.
Source: Item 14 — Other investments (FDD pages 131–208)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Petro Stopping Center's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for the costs of their architect related to the Development Plans. Petro Stopping Center may require the franchisee to hire their own architect to review, modify, and approve the Development Plans.
In addition to the architect costs, the franchisee is also responsible for the license fees and other costs relating to any software and electronic tools that Petro Stopping Center designates for use in connection with the Development Plans. The franchisee must develop and equip the Petro Center in accordance with Petro Stopping Center's required plans, space plans, and specifications, ensuring compliance with applicable ordinances, codes, permit requirements, and Petro System Standards, all at the franchisee's expense.
If converting an existing travel center to a Petro Stopping Center, the Development Plans must show the necessary changes and upgrades required to convert the site. Petro Stopping Center retains the right to revise or increase the Minimum Requirements from time to time in its sole discretion, upon prior notice to the franchisee. These development-related costs are a significant investment that prospective franchisees should carefully consider.