Until what month and year did Chatime USA, LLC offer Chatime franchises in the United States?
Chatime Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
La Kaffa's affiliate Chatime USA, LLC ("Chatime USA"), a Delaware limited liability company, formed in January 2014, offered Chatime franchises for businesses similar to the one you will operate as a franchisee, in the United States, from February 2014 to June 2022. As of December 31, 2024, Chatime USA had one operating franchised and licensed Chatime Store in the United States. From 2016 to 2020, Chatime USA operated one company-owned Chatime Store in New York, New York similar to the business you will operate as a franchisee. From 2017 to 2018, Chatime USA operated one additional company-owned Chatime Store in New York, New York similar to the business you will operate as a franchisee.
Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor, and Any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates (FDD pages 6–9)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chatime's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Chatime USA, LLC, an affiliate of La Kaffa International Co., Ltd., offered Chatime franchises in the United States from February 2014 to June 2022. This means that Chatime USA, LLC was actively involved in franchising the Chatime brand for a period of approximately eight years. As of December 31, 2024, Chatime USA had one operating franchised and licensed Chatime store in the United States.
This information is relevant for prospective franchisees as it provides insight into the history of Chatime's franchising efforts in the U.S. market. The fact that Chatime USA, LLC stopped offering franchises in June 2022, but still had one operating franchised location as of the end of 2024, could indicate a shift in the company's franchising strategy or a transition to a new franchising entity, which is now Chatime Franchise, LLC.
It is important for potential franchisees to understand the reasons behind this change and how it might affect their investment and the support they can expect from the franchisor. Further due diligence, including direct communication with Chatime Franchise, LLC, is advisable to clarify the current franchising structure and long-term plans for the Chatime brand in the United States. Understanding the role and performance of Chatime USA, LLC during its franchising period can also provide valuable context for assessing the overall stability and potential of the Chatime franchise system.