When are the fees for Architectural and Engineering Services due for a Churchs Chicken Blaze Compact model?
Churchs_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Type of Expenditure | Amount | Method Of Payment | When Due | To Whom | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | High | Payment Is To Be Made1 | ||||
| Development Fee2 | $10,000 | $10,000 | Lump sum | At signing of Development Agreement | Cajun | |
| Initial Franchise Fee2 | $20,000 | $20,000 | Lump sum | At signing of Franchise Agreement | Cajun | |
| Grand Opening Marketing Funds3 | $15,500 | $25,000 | Lump sum | At signing of Franchise Agreement | Cajun | |
| Real Estate (purchase or | variable | variable | Lump sum | As arranged | Lessors/ vendors | |
| lease)4 | or Monthly | |||||
| Site Work5 | $23,782 | $106,400 | Lump sum | As ordered | Vendors | |
| Building and | $304,932 | $578,000 | Lump sum | As ordered | Vendors | |
| Improvements6 | ||||||
| Equipment and Signs7 | $280,174 | $390,000 | Lump sum | As ordered | Vendors | |
| Fees, Misc., Architectural and Engineering Services, Deposits8 | $50,000 | $100,000 | Lump sum | As ordered | Vendors, consultants, municipalities | |
| Initial Training9 | $0 | $23,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Employees/ vendors | |
| Opening Supplies10 | $6,350 | $12,700 | As arranged | As incurred | Suppliers | |
| Insurance11 | $7,500 | $10,000 | As arranged | As ordered | Insurance company/ broker | |
| Utility Deposits12 | $10,000 | $15,000 | Lump sum | Per lease or utility company’s requirements | Utility companies/ lessors | |
| Business Licenses13 | $300 | $600 | Lump sum | Before opening | Government agencies | |
| Additional Funds – 3 | $10,000 | $20,000 | As arranged | As needed | Employees/ | |
| Months14 | suppliers | |||||
| Total Investment15 | $738,538 | $1,310,700 | (excluding Real Estate) |
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 24–31)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Churchs Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the fees for Architectural and Engineering Services for the Blaze Compact model are part of a larger category of fees, miscellaneous expenses, and deposits. These combined fees range from $50,000 to $100,000. The payment is made via a lump sum "as ordered" to vendors, consultants, and municipalities.
This means that a prospective Churchs Chicken franchisee should be prepared to pay these fees at various points during the development process, as the services are needed. The timing is not fixed to a specific date or event like the signing of the Franchise Agreement, but rather is dependent on the progression of the site development and construction. This could include payments for site surveys, foundation plans, and adaptations to local regulations.
It's important to note that the "as ordered" payment schedule provides some flexibility but also requires careful budgeting and management of project timelines. Franchisees should maintain open communication with their vendors, consultants, and local authorities to anticipate these costs and ensure timely payments to avoid delays in the restaurant's development. The franchisee is also responsible for any costs incurred from deviations or modifications to the standard plans.