What is the estimated range for equipment, furniture, signage, and fixtures costs for a Chesters franchise, and to whom are these payments made?
Chesters Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
eg)
| Type of expenditure* | Amount | Method of payment | When due | To whom payment is to be made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Training Fee | $3,500 | Lump sum | At signing of Agreement | Us |
| Insurance1 | $0 - $10,000 | As arranged | As incurred | Insurers |
| Rent and Security | See Note 2 | As arranged |
Source: Item 7 — **ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 16–19)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chesters's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the estimated cost for equipment, furniture, signage, and fixtures ranges from $12,000 to $55,000. These payments are made as incurred and as arranged with approved suppliers, which may include Chesters themselves.
The specific amount within this range will depend on factors such as the size and type of the Chesters restaurant location. For example, a Restaurant-in-Store located within a convenience store is assumed to be 500 square feet, while a Chesters Restaurant at a food court or strip mall is assumed to be 1,200 square feet. The costs to build out an existing facility for your Restaurant depends on whether an existing food or deli-type facility is being converted, whether a drive-thru window is being added, the Restaurant's square footage and dimensions, whether seating is added, kitchen size, adequate hood systems and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), and other factors.
Chesters provides a list of approved suppliers from whom franchisees can purchase furnishings, fixtures, signage, and equipment. While franchisees have the right to purchase fryers, breading and batter table, hot cases, landing table, and oil-removal caddy from Chesters or an unaffiliated third-party food-service equipment supplier as of the disclosure date, Chesters retains the right to require franchisees to buy these items from specified exclusive sources, including themselves or their affiliates, at prices the source decides to charge. Prospective franchisees should carefully consider these potential exclusive sourcing requirements and their impact on costs and operational flexibility.