Does Chick Fil A have any responsibility or liability for the selection, management, supervision, disciplining, scheduling, conduct, payment, benefits or compensation of the Operator's employees?
Chick_Fil_A Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Agreement and/or as otherwise required by Chick-fil-A or required by the DK Lease (whichever provides the most stringent requirements).
- (d) All marketing, advertising and promotional items used in connection with the DK, including the use of any social media sites and web-based advertising, will constitute local marketing and advertising materials under the provisions, terms and conditions of the Franchise Agreement and will be subject to Chick-fil-A's review and prior approval.
During the Term, Chick-fil-A will provide such marketing support and marketing consulting to the DK as it deems appropriate, if any, and as otherwise may be provided in the DK Summary.
- (e) Operator shall and otherwise will be solely responsible to hire, train, manage, supervise, schedule, provide, pay and compensate all employees of the Business to fulfill Operator's own staffing needs for the proper staffing, use and operation of the DK.
All employees will be employed, trained, managed, supervised, disciplined, paid and compensated by Operator.
Chick-fil-A will have no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the selection, management, supervision, disciplining, scheduling, conduct, payment, benefits or compensation of Operator's employees at any time, and Operator's employees will not be employees nor shared or joint employees of Chick-fil-A.
- (f) Prior to the Commencement Date of the DK and any DK-specific training of Operator's employees, Operator will participate in any walk-thru meetings or sessions scheduled by Chick-fil-A and otherwise will establish a thorough understanding of the proper operation of the DK's equipment, vehicles (if any), food storage and preparation procedures and delivery procedures and use of the DK for the limited purpose of the Licensed Use.
Prior to the Commencement Date, Operator will train Operator's production team members and other employees who will be staffing and otherwise servicing the DK and its customers, in the safe operation and use of the DK and its equipment, vehicles (if any), food storage, preparation procedures and care and maintenance.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 103–600)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chick Fil A's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Chick-fil-A has no responsibility or liability for the selection, management, supervision, disciplining, scheduling, conduct, payment, benefits, or compensation of the Operator's employees. The Operator is solely responsible for hiring, training, managing, supervising, scheduling, providing, paying, and compensating all employees of the Business to fulfill the Operator's own staffing needs for the proper staffing, use, and operation of the DK (Delivery Kitchen). All employees will be employed, trained, managed, supervised, disciplined, paid and compensated by the Operator. The Operator's employees will not be employees nor shared or joint employees of Chick-fil-A.
This delineation of responsibility is a standard practice in franchising, where the franchisee operates as an independent business owner. The franchisee has the authority to control the day-to-day management and operation of the Businesses and implementing and maintaining the Manuals and the Minimum Standards at the Businesses. The Operator agrees to hold itself out to the public as a separate and independent business owner operating the Businesses pursuant to a franchise with Chick-fil-A. The Operator agrees to take such affirmative action as may be necessary to do so, including with regard to signage, forms, solicitations, business cards, stationery, advertising, policies, handbooks, third-party communications and other materials.
This arrangement means that as a Chick Fil A franchisee, you will have complete control over your staff but also bear the full responsibility for all employment-related matters. This includes ensuring compliance with all applicable labor laws, managing employee relations, and handling any potential employment disputes. It is crucial for prospective franchisees to understand and prepare for these responsibilities, as they can significantly impact the business's operations and profitability. The Operator will provide employees from the Business to fulfill the Operator's staffing needs for the proper use and operation of the Food Truck. All employees will be employed, trained and supervised by the Operator.