For Churchs Chicken franchisees, can a franchisee enforce the obligation of another franchisee to contribute to the Cooperative?

According to Churchs Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees do not have the right to enforce the obligations of other franchisees to contribute to the Cooperative. Cajun, which appears to be the parent company or franchisor, retains the sole right to enforce these obligations. This means that individual Churchs Chicken franchisees cannot take legal action or otherwise compel another franchisee to meet their financial obligations to the advertising cooperative.

This arrangement centralizes control over cooperative contributions with Cajun, ensuring consistent enforcement and management of the advertising fund. It also prevents disputes between franchisees regarding contribution obligations, as only Cajun can take action. This can be seen as both a benefit and a risk for franchisees. On one hand, it protects franchisees from being pressured by other franchisees; on the other hand, it places the responsibility entirely on Cajun to ensure all members are contributing appropriately.

Furthermore, the FDD states that neither a franchisee nor any other franchisees who contribute to the Cooperative are considered third-party beneficiaries with respect to the Cooperative obligations of other franchisees. This reinforces the idea that franchisees do not have standing to enforce the contribution obligations of their peers. The franchisor, Cajun, maintains exclusive control over this aspect of the franchise system.