What is the significance of October 22, 2010, for Browns Chicken and its predecessors?
Browns_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The name of the franchisor is Brown's Chicken, LLC (hereinafter referred to as "Brown" or "Brown's" or the "Franchisor"). Brown operates BROWN'S Stores under the trade names "BROWN'S," "BROWN'S CHICKEN" and "BROWN'S CHICKEN & PASTA."
Brown is a limited liability company organized on October 22, 2010, under the laws of the State of Illinois. Brown's principal address is:
55 E. Park Boulevard Villa Park, Illinois 60181
Brown's agents for service of process are listed in Exhibit B.
Brown does not have any parent or affiliates.
Brown's predecessors are Brown's Chicken & Pasta, Inc., an Illinois corporation ("BCP") and POPGRIP, LLC ("POPGRIP"). On October 22, 2010, POPGRIP acquired substantially all of the assets of BCP in a Section 363 Bankruptcy sale (see Item 4 of this disclosure document). On October 22, 2010, POPGRIP assigned all of the assets it acquired from BCP to Brown.
BCP, from September 1964 to October 21, 2010, operated and franchised stores ("Brown's Stores") specializing in the preparation of and sale at retail of cooked chicken and other food products for on-premises or off-premises consumption. Beginning in 1991, BCP's menu included Italian pasta products. Beginning in 2002, BCP's menu included a line of sandwiches made "The Chicago Way" (including burgers, hot dogs, and Italian beef and sausage). BCP offered franchises for Brown's Stores beginning in 1965. BCP did not offer franchises in any other line of business.
BCP ceased operations on October 21, 2010.
Popgrip has never conducted nor franchised any type of business.
Brown was formed to operate and franchise Brown's Stores, which will offer all the standard chicken, pasta, and sandwich products.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR, AND ANY PARENT, PREDECESSORS AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 7–9)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Browns Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, October 22, 2010, marks a pivotal point in the brand's history. On this date, Brown's Chicken, LLC was established as a limited liability company in Illinois. Simultaneously, POPGRIP, LLC acquired substantially all of the assets of Brown's Chicken & Pasta, Inc. (BCP) through a Section 363 Bankruptcy sale. Subsequently, on the same day, POPGRIP assigned all the assets acquired from BCP to the newly formed Browns Chicken, LLC.
Prior to this date, from September 1964 until October 21, 2010, BCP operated and franchised Browns Chicken stores, specializing in chicken and other food products. They began franchising in 1965 and added Italian pasta products to their menu in 1991, followed by sandwiches in 2002. However, BCP ceased operations on October 21, 2010, just before the asset transfer. POPGRIP, on the other hand, has never conducted or franchised any type of business.
In essence, October 22, 2010, represents the date Browns Chicken, LLC was formed to continue the Browns Chicken brand after the bankruptcy of its predecessor, BCP. This date signifies a fresh start for the franchise under new ownership, with the intention to maintain the established menu of chicken, pasta, and sandwich products. For a prospective franchisee, this indicates that the current Browns Chicken franchise system is built upon the assets and legacy of a previous company that experienced financial difficulties, highlighting the importance of due diligence in assessing the franchise's current financial health and future prospects.