Is Cajun responsible for architectural or engineering plans outside the scope of ensuring development plan requirements are met for a Churchs Chicken?
Churchs_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The duties of Cajun's construction representatives are limited solely to ensuring that development plans and other requirements under this Agreement and the Franchise Agreement are met.
Cajun and its employees do not act as an architect or agent of Developer.
Cajun assumes no liability or responsibility for architectural or engineering plans or judgments outside the scope of the duties stated above.
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.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 68–406)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Churchs Chicken Franchise Disclosure Document, Cajun, the franchisor, assumes no liability for architectural or engineering plans or judgments that fall outside the scope of ensuring that development plans and other requirements are met under the Franchise Agreement. The duties of Cajun's construction representatives are specifically limited to ensuring that these development plans and requirements are fulfilled.
Cajun and its employees do not act as an architect or agent for the franchisee. The franchisor's final inspection and authorization to open a Churchs Chicken restaurant does not represent a warranty that the restaurant was constructed according to any architectural, engineering, or legal standards for design or workmanship. This inspection simply means that Cajun is satisfied that the minimum requirements for consistency of design and layout have been met.
Therefore, a Churchs Chicken franchisee cannot rely on Cajun for architectural or engineering expertise beyond verifying compliance with the franchise's standard development plans. The franchisee bears the responsibility for ensuring the project adheres to all applicable codes, laws, and sound construction practices, typically by hiring their own qualified professionals.