What is the significance of the CHESTER'S® trademark to the Chesters franchise?
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.
Before the First Chester's began offering CHESTER'S Restaurant franchises on approximately March 1, 2004, our former affiliate, Giles Enterprises, Inc. ("Giles"), whose address was 2750 Gunter Park Drive West, Montgomery, Alabama 36121, licensed existing retail operators to operate quick-service chicken and sides restaurants similar to the Restaurant opportunity offered in our disclosure document in a program called the "CHESTER FRIED® Total Program" (the "Chester Fried Licensed Restaurants"). Giles began licensing operators to operate Chester Fried Licensed Restaurants in 1974; as of December 31, 2024, there were approximately 16 Operators of Chester Fried Licensed Restaurants remaining in the United States. Operators of Chester Fried Licensed Restaurants generally did not receive all the benefits of a CHESTER'S Restaurant franchise and also were not subject to all the same restrictions and obligations.
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 CHESTER'S® trademark is central to the operation of both franchised restaurants and licensed restaurants. Chesters International, LLC operates under its corporate name and the CHESTER'S® trademark, among others. The trademark is a key identifier for the brand and its associated products. Chesters grants franchises for quick-service Restaurants operating primarily under the CHESTER'S name that sell chicken and sides. The CHESTER'S trademark, referred to as the "Marks", is acquired from First Chester's.
The trademark's significance extends to CHESTER'S Licensed Restaurants, which are existing foodservice operations that license the right to use the Marks to sell Chesters' proprietary menu items. Chesters maintains control over the use of its trademark by ensuring that these licensed operators use the name properly and adhere to ingredient standards. This control helps to maintain brand consistency and quality, even in non-franchised locations. As of December 31, 2024, there were 253 CHESTER'S Licensed Restaurants operating in the United States.
Chesters also ensures that operators do not mis-brand the products they sell under the Chesters name. This is crucial for protecting the brand's reputation and preventing consumer confusion. While licensed operators have freedom in conducting their existing business operations, Chesters retains control over how its trademark is used on prepared chicken products. This limited control is a key aspect of managing and protecting the CHESTER'S® trademark across different types of operations, including franchised and licensed locations.