Does Churchs Chicken require franchisees to offer all menu items specified in the Manual or in writing?
Churchs_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- B. Menu Items; Prices. Within 30 days after receipt of notice from Cajun, Franchisee shall begin selling any newly required menu items and cease selling any menu items that are no longer authorized. Franchisee shall offer all authorized food, beverage and merchandise items under the specific name designated by Cajun. Cajun, in its sole discretion, may restrict sales of menu items to certain time periods during the day. Franchisee may establish menu prices in its sole and absolute discretion. Franchisee shall not add or modify any menu item or participate in a test market program without having obtained Cajun's prior approval. Franchisee shall purchase any additional equipment and smallwares as Cajun deems reasonably necessary in connection with new menu items. If Cajun requires Franchisee to begin offering a new menu item that requires the purchase of additional equipment, a reasonable period of time, as determined in the sole discretion of Cajun, shall be provided for the financing, purchase and installation of any such equipment before such new menu items must be offered for sale at the Franchised Restaurant.
Source: Item 16 — RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT THE FRANCHISEE MAY SELL (FDD page 50)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Churchs Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to sell newly required menu items within 30 days of receiving notice from Cajun, and must stop selling any menu items that are no longer authorized. Franchisees must offer all authorized food, beverage, and merchandise items under the specific name designated by Cajun. However, Cajun, in its sole discretion, may restrict sales of menu items to certain time periods during the day.
While franchisees can set their own menu prices, they are not allowed to add or modify any menu item or participate in a test market program without prior approval from Cajun. If new menu items require additional equipment, franchisees must purchase the necessary equipment. Cajun will provide a reasonable timeframe for financing, purchasing, and installing the equipment before the new items must be offered for sale.
This means that Churchs Chicken franchisees have limited flexibility in menu offerings and must adhere to the franchisor's standards. This ensures consistency across all Churchs Chicken locations, but it also means franchisees cannot introduce their own menu items or promotions without approval. Franchisees need to be prepared to invest in new equipment when required to introduce new menu items.