What is the New Franchisee Orientation Program for Churchs Chicken franchisees?
Churchs_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
under the Development Schedule of your Development Agreement.
The Orientation Program.
You must complete, to our satisfaction, the New Franchisee Orientation Program ("NFOP") before opening your first Restaurant. NFOP consists of 2 days of workshops and seminars conducted at a facility we designate (currently at our corporate offices in Atlanta, Georgia). We currently offer NFOP on an asneeded basis. We do not charge a fee for NFOP. You are, however, responsible for all expenses that you or your representatives incur while attending NFOP, such as travel, accommodations, meals, and employee wages and benefits.
Before opening your first Restaurant, your Operating Principal and up to 4 designated management employees (we decide the exact number, which must be at least 2 for your first Restaurant, and at least 2 for each additional Restaurant) must attend and complete, to our satisfaction, our initial Pathway to Excellence Advanced Operations and Leadership Training Program (the "Training Program"). We offer the Training Program on an as-needed basis. This training provides certification for Assistant Restaurant Managers and Restaurant General Managers. If your management employees complete the Training Program to our satisfaction, we will issue certificates of completion to these trainees who will become "Certified Managers." You must maintain at least 2 Certified Managers in the employ of each Restaurant throughout the term of the Franchise Agreement; we may require that you maintain more than 2 Certified Managers. You must enroll a qualified replacement in the Training Program for any Certified Manager who ceases active employment at your Restaurant within 30 days after the former employee's last day of employment. The replacement employee must join the next scheduled Training Program, at your expense, at a Certified Training Restaurant ("CTR"). If the CTR is operated by another franchisee, you may be instructed to pay the training fee directly to the other franchisee. The current fee for the Training Prog
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 35–43)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Churchs Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, new franchisees must complete the New Franchisee Orientation Program (NFOP) before opening their first restaurant. The NFOP consists of a 2-day program involving workshops and seminars. These are held at a facility designated by Churchs Chicken, which is currently at their corporate offices in Atlanta, Georgia. Churchs Chicken offers the NFOP on an as-needed basis and does not charge a fee for the program itself.
However, franchisees are responsible for covering all expenses incurred while attending the NFOP. These expenses include travel, accommodations, meals, and any wages and benefits for their employees attending the program.
In addition to the NFOP, the Operating Principal and up to 4 designated management employees must attend and complete the initial Pathway to Excellence Advanced Operations and Leadership Training Program before opening their first restaurant. This training provides certification for Assistant Restaurant Managers and Restaurant General Managers. Franchisees must maintain at least 2 Certified Managers in the employ of each Restaurant throughout the term of the Franchise Agreement.