Under what agreements are Chick Fil A franchisees obligated to maintain the appearance and remodeling requirements of their location?
Chick_Fil_A Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
(h) Subject to the terms and conditions of the Concession Agreement, Chick-fil-A and its designees will have the right to enter and inspect the Site at any time on any Business Day, without notice to the Operator, to insure that the Operator and all aspects of the Site are in compliance with this Agreement, the Concession Agreement and all then current Minimum Standards and Guidelines as described and/or defined in the Franchise Agreement.
(g) Subject to the terms and conditions of the DK Lease, if at any time Chick-fil-A or Licensor determines in the exercise of its sole and exclusive business judgment that the Site should be remodeled, refurbished, rebuilt or relocated, Chick-fil-A, Licensor, or as applicable, their respective agents and designees will have the right to reenter the Site and to remodel, refurbish, rebuild or relocate the DK and/or the Site, in accordance with Chick-fil-A's and/or Licensor's then-current policies and procedures for the remodeling, refurbishing, rebuilding and relocating of sites, including without limitation making such site selection and design, structural, remodeling, redecoration and other modifications and changes to the Site, Equipment, the Leasehold Improvements, design and décor, trade dress, color scheme and other things as Chick-fil-A and/or Licensor deems necessary or appropriate.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Franchise Agreement and/or the DK Lease, the Operator will permit and cooperate with Chick-fil-A and/or Licensor and their respective agents and designees to coordinate and complete, any such remodeling, refurbishment, rebuilding or relocating of the Site.
- (h) The Operator will not make or permit any change in, alteration of, or addition to any part of the Site, or remove any Leasehold Improvements or any of the Equipment, unless required by or agreed to by Chick-fil-A and/or as applicable Licensor as provided in the DK Lease.
Source: Item 9 — Franchisee's Obligations (FDD pages 49–51)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chick Fil A's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees, referred to as Operators, are obligated to maintain the appearance and meet remodeling requirements of their location under several agreements. These obligations are primarily outlined in the Franchise Agreement and the DK Lease (if applicable).
The Franchise Agreement stipulates that Operators must adhere to Chick-fil-A's Minimum Standards and Guidelines, which cover all aspects of site compliance. Chick-fil-A retains the right to inspect the site to ensure compliance with these standards. Additionally, Operators are prohibited from making any changes or alterations to the site without Chick-fil-A's approval.
The DK Lease further specifies that Chick-fil-A or Licensor has the right to remodel, refurbish, rebuild, or relocate the site according to their current policies and procedures. This includes making modifications to the site's design, structure, décor, and trade dress. Operators are required to cooperate with Chick-fil-A and Licensor during any remodeling or relocation efforts. These measures ensure that all Chick-fil-A locations maintain a consistent brand image and meet the company's standards for appearance and functionality.