Does Chesters have the right to change required menu items for Chesters restaurants?
Chesters Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must offer and sell all menu items and products, and perform all services, we periodically require for CHESTER'S Restaurants operated at your type of location. You have no right to offer or sell any menu items or products, or perform any services, we have not authorized. We have the right periodically to change required and/or authorized menu items and services and equipment specifications (including required use of our designated POS system). There are no limits on our right to do so. Once a menu item, product, or service has become unauthorized, your Restaurant no longer may offer or sell it. You must operate the Restaurant in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and regulations. You are not limited in the customers with whom the Restaurant does business from its premises.
Source: Item 16 — RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT THE FRANCHISEE MAY SELL (FDD page 35)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chesters's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Chesters has the right to periodically change the required and/or authorized menu items and services. There are no limits on Chesters's right to do so. Once a menu item, product, or service has become unauthorized, the Restaurant no longer may offer or sell it.
This means that as a Chesters franchisee, you must offer and sell all menu items and products that Chesters requires for Restaurants operated at your type of location. You are not allowed to offer or sell any menu items or products that Chesters has not authorized. Chesters can change these required and authorized menu items and services at any time, and you must comply with these changes.
This provision is fairly standard in franchising, as it allows the franchisor to maintain brand consistency and adapt to changing consumer preferences. However, it also means that franchisees have limited control over their menu and must be prepared to make changes as directed by Chesters. It is important for prospective franchisees to understand that Chesters has the right to make these changes and that they must be followed.