What was the name of Chesters franchisor before November 2009?
Chesters Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The franchisor is Chester's International, LLC ("we," "us," or "our"). "You" means the person to whom we grant a franchise. We are an Alabama limited liability company formed in October 2002 under the name Chester's Supply Company, LLC (we changed to "National Flour Mills and Supply Company, LLC" in April 2004 and changed again to our current name in November 2009). Our current principal business address is 1531 3rd Avenue North, Suite 110, Birmingham, Alabama 35203. We operate under our corporate name, the CHESTER'S® trademark, and the other trademarks described in Item 13 (the "Marks") and no other name.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR, AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS, AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 8–12)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chesters' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisor is Chester's International, LLC. Before November 2009, Chesters operated under two previous names. It was initially formed in October 2002 as Chester's Supply Company, LLC, and then changed to National Flour Mills and Supply Company, LLC in April 2004 before adopting its current name in November 2009.
This information is crucial for prospective franchisees as it provides insight into the evolution of the Chesters brand and its corporate identity. Understanding the franchisor's history, including name changes, can help franchisees assess the stability and maturity of the franchise system. It also highlights the importance of conducting thorough due diligence to understand the reasons behind these changes and their potential impact on the franchise.
Furthermore, the FDD mentions a former affiliate named Chester's International, LLC (the "First Chester's"), which offered Chesters Restaurant franchises from approximately March 1, 2004, through December 2007. This detail is important because the current Chesters International, LLC acquired all existing CHESTER'S Agreements, Marks, and related assets from the First Chester's by operation of law effective as of December 31, 2007, as a result of their merger. This historical context helps franchisees understand the legal and operational transitions that have shaped the Chesters franchise system.