When did Chester's International, LLC begin offering Chesters Restaurant franchises?
Chesters Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We grant franchises for quick-service Restaurants operating primarily under the CHESTER'S name that sell chicken and sides ("Restaurants"). We began offering CHESTER'S Restaurant franchises in January 2008. However, our former affiliate, also named Chester's International, LLC (the "First Chester's"), whose principal business address was 3500 Colonnade Parkway, Suite 325, Birmingham, Alabama 35243, offered CHESTER'S Restaurant franchises from approximately March 1, 2004, through December 2007. The CHESTER'S Restaurant franchises offered in this disclosure document are primarily for Restaurants to be located within and operated as part of other existing retail businesses, such as convenience stores (our "Restaurant-in-Store" concept), although we occasionally offer franchises for CHESTER'S Restaurants to be located at food court, strip mall, or other non-traditional locations (such as sports arenas or stadiums). Certain information appearing in this disclosure document, for example, outlet information in Item 20, covers all CHESTER'S Restaurants, regardless of their locations, because they operate under the same brand and sell the same products. We distinguish between these types of locations when necessary.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR, AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS, AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 8–12)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Chesters Franchise Disclosure Document, Chester's International, LLC began offering Chesters Restaurant franchises in January 2008. However, the FDD notes that a former affiliate, also named Chester's International, LLC, offered Chesters Restaurant franchises from approximately March 1, 2004, through December 2007.
This means that while the current Chester's International, LLC started franchising in 2008, the Chesters brand has been available as a franchise opportunity since 2004 through a previous affiliate. The current franchise offering primarily focuses on Restaurants-in-Store concepts, located within existing retail businesses like convenience stores, but also includes opportunities in food courts, strip malls, and other non-traditional locations.
Prospective franchisees should be aware of the distinction between the current franchisor and its predecessor, as well as the different types of locations offered. Understanding the history of the Chesters franchise system and the various operational models is crucial for making an informed investment decision.