Is Cajun liable for the design or construction of a Churchs Chicken franchised restaurant, or the furnishings, fixtures, and equipment to be acquired?

According to Churchs Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Cajun and its designees have no liability or obligation regarding the restaurant premises, its design or construction, or the furnishings, fixtures, and equipment to be acquired. While Cajun has the right to reject construction plans and inspect the construction work, this is solely to ensure compliance with the franchise agreement terms.

This means that the franchisee bears the full responsibility for the design, construction, and equipping of the Churchs Chicken restaurant. The franchisee must ensure that the restaurant premises, design, and construction adhere to Churchs Chicken's standards and specifications, but Cajun is not liable for any issues that may arise during this process. This is a common arrangement in franchising, where the franchisee typically assumes the construction and development risks.

Prospective Churchs Chicken franchisees should carefully consider the implications of this lack of liability on Cajun's part. It is crucial to conduct thorough due diligence, engage qualified contractors and architects, and ensure adequate insurance coverage to mitigate potential risks associated with the design, construction, and equipping of the restaurant. Franchisees should also maintain open communication with Churchs Chicken throughout the construction process to address any concerns and ensure compliance with brand standards.