If I sue Churchs Chicken, where must I do so according to the Development Agreement?
Churchs_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Provision | Section in Development Agreement | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| v. Choice of Forum | §23 | Subject to state law, if you sue us, you must do so where our principal office is located (currently, Atlanta, Georgia). If we sue you, we may do so there as well. |
Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FDD pages 50–55)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Churchs Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee sues Churchs Chicken, the franchisee must do so where Churchs Chicken's principal office is located. Currently, their principal office is located in Atlanta, Georgia. However, this is subject to state law.
An addendum to the Development Agreement states that if the offer or sale of a franchise was made in the State of Illinois, if the franchisee is a resident of the State of Illinois, and/or part of the Development Area will be located in the State of Illinois, Illinois law shall govern the agreement. Section 4 of the Illinois Franchise Disclosure Act provides that any provision in a franchise agreement that designates jurisdiction or venue in a forum outside of Illinois is void with respect to any cause of action that otherwise is enforceable in Illinois.
Similarly, if the offer or sale of a franchise was made in the State of New York; the franchisee is a resident of the State of New York; and/or all or part of the Development Area will be located in the State of New York, the New York Franchises Law shall govern any claim arising under that law. Any provision in the Agreement that is inconsistent with the New York General Business Sections 680 – 695, may not be enforceable. Therefore, the franchisee may not be required to sue Churchs Chicken in Atlanta, Georgia.