Does Chesters have the authority to determine or set a Chesters franchisee's employees' tenure of employment, including hiring and discharge?
Chesters Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You alone have sole authority to determine any or all your employees' essential terms and conditions of employment.
Once we determine in our sole judgment that the Restaurant has satisfactorily completed our restaurant readiness review process, then certain of your employees (the number and level of which we may specify) must satisfactorily complete our initial brand standard training program at the Location before the Restaurant may begin operations.
With our prior written approval, your trained managers may train new and additional Restaurant employees.
We may charge you for additional or special guidance, assistance, or training you need or request.
Source: Item 23 — **RECEIPTS (FDD pages 48–197)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chesters's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee has the sole authority to determine the terms and conditions of their employees' employment. This means that Chesters franchisees have the autonomy to make their own hiring, firing, and employment decisions without direct control from the franchisor.
This arrangement is typical in franchising, where franchisees are generally considered independent business owners. While Chesters sets brand standards and may require certain training for employees, the day-to-day management of staff, including hiring and firing, rests with the franchisee. This allows the franchisee to tailor their staffing decisions to the specific needs of their location and local labor market.
However, Chesters does require certain employees to complete an initial brand standard training program at the Location before the Restaurant may begin operations. The number and level of employees that must complete this training is determined by Chesters. With prior written approval from Chesters, the franchisee's trained managers may train new and additional Restaurant employees. Chesters may charge the franchisee for additional or special guidance, assistance, or training they need or request.