Does Cajun assume any responsibility for compliance with any law related to a Churchs Chicken franchise location?
Churchs_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- B. Cajun assumes no liability or responsibility for: (1) evaluation of the Franchised Location's soil for hazardous substances; (2) inspection of any structure on the Franchised Location for asbestos or other toxic or hazardous materials; (3) compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar state laws ("ADA"); or (4) compliance with any other law.
It is Franchisee's sole responsibility to obtain satisfactory evidence and/or assurances that each Franchised Location (and any structures thereon) is free from environmental contamination and in compliance with the requirements of ADA.
- C. Franchisee shall not rely upon any opinions expressed by Cajun or any of its officers, directors, stockholders, employees or agents regarding structural integrity, safety or construction procedures, building codes or ordinances or other matters properly within the responsibility of Franchisee and its architect.
The duties of Cajun's construction representatives are limited solely to ensuring that development plans and other requirements under this Agreement are met.
Cajun and its employees do not act as an architect or agent of Franchisee.
Cajun's final inspection and authorization to open a Franchised Restaurant is not a representation or a warranty that a Franchised Restaurant has been constructed in accordance with any architectural, engineering or legal standards for design or workmanship.
It merely means that Cajun is satisfied that the minimum requirements which Cajun has established for consistency of design and layout have been met.
Franchisee agrees that Cajun's final inspection and authorization to open a Franchised Restaurant shall not impose any liability or responsibility on Cajun.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 68–406)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Churchs Chicken Franchise Disclosure Document, Cajun does not assume responsibility for compliance with laws related to a franchise location. Specifically, Cajun does not assume liability or responsibility for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or any other law.
It is the franchisee's sole responsibility to obtain satisfactory evidence and assurances that each franchised location is free from environmental contamination and complies with the requirements of the ADA and all other applicable laws. This includes ensuring the site is evaluated for hazardous substances and inspected for materials like asbestos.
This means that a prospective Churchs Chicken franchisee must conduct their own due diligence to ensure the location meets all legal requirements. This could involve hiring experts to assess the site and ensure compliance. The franchisee should not rely on any opinions expressed by Churchs Chicken regarding building codes, ordinances, or other matters that are the franchisee's responsibility. Churchs Chicken's construction representatives are limited to ensuring that development plans and other requirements under the agreement are met, and they do not act as an architect or agent of the franchisee.
Cajun's final inspection and authorization to open a franchised restaurant does not represent or warrant that the restaurant has been constructed according to any architectural, engineering, or legal standards. It only means that Churchs Chicken is satisfied that the minimum requirements for consistency of design and layout have been met. The franchisee agrees that this final inspection and authorization does not impose any liability or responsibility on Churchs Chicken.