Under what conditions is a Churchs Chicken franchisee NOT required to complete a full reimaging, renovation, and refurbishment of the Franchised Restaurant?
Churchs_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
At its sole cost and expense, Franchisee shall complete a full reimaging, renovation and refurbishment of the Franchised Restaurant ("Franchised Restaurant Renovation") to modernize and conform the Franchised Restaurant to the image of the System for new Church's Restaurants within the time frame required by Cajun. Cajun shall not require the Franchised Restaurant Renovation if there is less than 5 years remaining on the Initial Term (unless Franchisee plans to exercise its renewal option) or any Renewal Term. Cajun shall not require the Franchised Restaurant Renovation more often than once every 7 years (provided that if Franchisee completed its previous Franchised Restaurant Renovation after a system-wide deadline imposed by Cajun, then the 7-year period shall run from such deadline). The Franchised Restaurant Renovation may include changes to the building design, parking lot, landscaping, equipment, signs, interior and exterior décor items, fixtures, furnishings, trade dress, color scheme, presentation of the Proprietary Marks, supplies and other products and materials, to meet Cajun's thencurrent standards, specifications and design criteria for Church's Restaurants, including, without limitation,
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 68–406)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Churchs Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee is not always required to complete a full renovation of their restaurant. Churchs Chicken will not require a full reimaging, renovation, and refurbishment if there is less than five years remaining on the initial franchise term, unless the franchisee intends to exercise their renewal option.
Additionally, Churchs Chicken will not require a full renovation more often than once every seven years. However, if a franchisee completed their previous renovation after a system-wide deadline imposed by Churchs Chicken, the seven-year period runs from that deadline, not necessarily from the date of the last renovation.
This policy has significant implications for franchisees, especially those nearing the end of their initial or renewal terms. It could save them a substantial capital investment if they do not plan to renew, but it also means that franchisees need to carefully consider the timing of any renovations in relation to potential system-wide deadlines to avoid being required to renovate again sooner than expected.