Is a Churchs Chicken franchisee required to purchase supplies from vendors approved by Cajun?
Churchs_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
B. Approved Products, Equipment, Distributors and Suppliers**
- (1) Franchisee shall purchase all ingredients, products, materials, supplies, and other items required in the operation of the Franchised Restaurant which are, or incorporate, trade secrets of Cajun, as designated by Cajun ("Trade Secret Products"), only from Cajun or from suppliers and distributors designated by Cajun.
- (2) Upon 30 days' prior notice that Cajun has designated or changed an exclusive beverage supplier or suppliers for any or all beverage products and equipment within the System ("Designated Beverage Products"), Franchisee shall purchase all such Designated Beverage Products solely from Cajun's designated beverage supplier or suppliers.
- (3) Franchisee shall purchase all ingredients, products, materials, supplies, paper goods, and other items required for the operation of the Franchised Restaurant, except Trade Secret Products and Designated Beverage Products, solely from suppliers and distributors who demonstrate, to the continuing reasonable satisfaction of Cajun, the ability to meet Cajun's reasonable standards and specifications for such items; who possess adequate quality controls and capacity to supply Franchisee's needs promptly and reliably; and who have been approved in writing by Cajun and such approval has not thereafter been revoked.
- (4) Franchisee shall use only the fixtures, furnishings, equipment (including, without limitation, fryers, grills, ovens, warmers, refrigerators, freezers, waste disposal units, dishwashers, and display cases) and signs (including digital menuboards) that Cajun has approved for Church's Restaurants as meeting its specifications and standards for quality, design, appearance, function and performance. Cajun may change such specifications and standards from time to time in its discretion.
- (5) If Franchisee desires to purchase any items (that Franchisee is not required to purchase from Cajun or a supplier designated by Cajun) from a supplier or distributor that Cajun has not previously approved, Franchisee shall submit to Cajun a request for approval, or shall request the supplier to seek approval.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 68–406)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Churchs Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are generally required to purchase ingredients, products, materials, supplies, paper goods, and other items from suppliers approved by Cajun, with some exceptions. Specifically, Trade Secret Products and Designated Beverage Products must be purchased from Cajun or its designated suppliers.
To become an approved supplier, vendors must demonstrate to Cajun that they can meet Cajun's standards and specifications, have adequate quality controls and capacity, and receive written approval from Cajun. If a franchisee wants to use a non-approved supplier, they must request approval from Cajun, or the supplier can seek approval themselves. Cajun may inspect the supplier's facilities and require samples for testing, with the franchisee or supplier bearing the costs of inspection and testing.
Cajun can change the specifications and standards for approved suppliers and may also reinspect approved suppliers, revoking approval if they no longer meet the criteria. Cajun will establish uniform criteria for approving suppliers and make reasonable efforts to share these standards with prospective suppliers at the franchisee's request. Franchisees may also be required to join a purchasing cooperative if Cajun requires it, and they must pay the associated membership fees. If franchisees order supplies through a system operated by Cajun, Cajun may charge a reasonable fee for these services.