What must a Churchs Chicken Developer do regarding purchasing cooperatives before opening a Franchised Restaurant?

Based on the 2025 Churchs Chicken Franchise Disclosure Document, there is no mention of mandatory purchasing cooperatives that a developer must join or utilize before opening a franchised restaurant. The FDD does outline requirements for purchasing fixtures, furnishings, equipment, and signs that meet Churchs Chicken's standards.

Specifically, the developer must use only the fixtures, furnishings, equipment, and signs that Churchs Chicken has approved for Church's Restaurants. These items must meet the brand's specifications and standards for quality, design, appearance, function, and performance. This suggests that while there isn't a purchasing cooperative requirement, there are strict guidelines on where and what a developer can purchase to ensure brand consistency and quality.

A prospective franchisee should inquire with Churchs Chicken about approved vendors and suppliers for these items. Understanding the process for sourcing and procuring these required elements will be crucial for budgeting and planning the restaurant's development. It would be prudent to ask the franchisor for a list of approved vendors and to clarify whether there are any incentives or benefits associated with using specific suppliers.