During what period did the First Chesters affiliate offer Chesters restaurant franchises?
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.
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 Chesters's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the First Chester's, a former affiliate of the current franchisor, offered Chesters Restaurant franchises from approximately March 1, 2004, through December 2007. This means that for a period of roughly three years and nine months, potential franchisees were able to obtain a Chesters franchise through the First Chester's entity.
This detail is important for prospective franchisees as it establishes the history of the Chesters franchise system. Understanding the lineage of the franchise, including previous operators and their periods of activity, can provide insight into the evolution of the brand and its business model. It also highlights that the current franchisor acquired the franchise program from the First Chester's due to a merger.
The FDD also notes that as of December 31, 2007, there were 44 Chesters Restaurant franchises in operation. This indicates the size and reach of the franchise system at the time the current franchisor took over. This historical context can help potential franchisees assess the growth and changes that have occurred within the Chesters franchise system since the acquisition.