What are the Browns Chicken franchisee's obligations regarding hiring and training employees?
Browns_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
B. Hiring And Training of Employees by Franchisee.
Franchisee shall hire all employees of the Store, be exclusively responsible for the terms of their employment and compensation, and implement a training program for employees of the Store in accordance with training standards and procedures prescribed by Brown from time to time. Franchisee agrees to maintain, at all times during the term of the Franchise, a staff of trained employees sufficient to operate the Store in accordance with this Agreement. Franchisee shall have on staff at least two (2) full-time managers and one (1) part-time manager. Franchisee agrees not to employ any person who is required to complete a training program but who fails or refuses to do so. Franchisee shall require all employees to maintain a neat and clean appearance and to conform to the standards of dress and/or uniforms specified by Brown from time to time for BROWN'S Stores.
Franchisee shall notify and communicate clearly with its employees in all dealings, including without limitation, its employment applications, written and electronic correspondence, paychecks, employee handbooks, employment policies and procedures, other materials, that Franchisee (and only Franchisee) is their employer and that Brown (the Franchisor) is not their employer. Franchisee must, on all employment applications Franchisee gives out to employee applicants, have printed on said applications: "You are applying for a job to work for an independently owned Franchisee and not for the Franchisor."
Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD page 43)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Browns Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for hiring all employees for their store and is exclusively responsible for the terms of their employment and compensation. The franchisee must also implement a training program for store employees that adheres to Browns Chicken's training standards and procedures, which may be updated from time to time. Franchisees must maintain a staff of trained employees sufficient to operate the store according to the franchise agreement and must have at least two full-time managers and one part-time manager on staff.
Browns Chicken franchisees are prohibited from employing anyone who is required to complete a training program but fails or refuses to do so. Franchisees must ensure all employees maintain a neat and clean appearance and adhere to the dress and/or uniform standards specified by Browns Chicken. The FDD also states that the franchisee must clearly communicate to employees, through various means such as employment applications and paychecks, that the franchisee is their employer and not Browns Chicken itself. Employment applications must include the statement: "You are applying for a job to work for an independently owned Franchisee and not for the Franchisor."
Browns Chicken also provides guidance and operating assistance to franchisees regarding hiring employees and establishing and conducting employee training programs. This guidance is furnished through the Browns Chicken Operating Manual, bulletins, written reports, recommendations, and consultations. Training videos are available on the Browns Chicken Communication Portal. If a franchisee requests special training of store employees at the store location, the franchisee is responsible for all expenses, including per diem charges and travel and living expenses for Browns Chicken personnel.