Under what conditions can the Churchs Chicken Sublease be terminated earlier than the expiration date?
Churchs_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Term. (a) Initial Term.
This Sublease shall commence on the Effective (the "Commencement Date") and expire on unless earlier terminated pursuant to the terms of this Sublease or the Master Lease (the "Initial Term"). (b) [OPTIONAL] Extension Period(s).
Sublessee shall have the option to extend the Term of this Sublease for up to ( ) separate option periods upon and subject to the terms set forth below in this Section 2(b).
15.
Surrender of Premises.
Upon expiration, or earlier termination, of this Sublease, Sublessee shall peacefully surrender possession of the Premises to Sublessor in the same condition as existed on the Commencement Date, in broom clean, in good condition and repair, except for ordinary wear and tear, or if Sublessor shall request, in the condition required by the Master Lease.
Sublessee shall complete, and provide to Sublessor, the attached "PREMISES CLOSING/DE-IDENTIFICATION CHECKLIST FOR SUBLESSEE" attached hereto as Exhibit "C" prior to the surrender of the premises.
All Alterations made by Sublessee shall become a part of and shall remain upon the Premises upon expiration, or earlier termination of, the Sublease, without compensation, allowance or credit to Sublessee; provided however, that Sublessor shall have the right to require Sublessee to remove any, or all, Alterations in or upon the Premises.
Said right shall be exercisable by Sublessor upon giving written notice thereof to Sublessee on or before twenty (20) days after the expiration, or earlier termination, of the Sublease.
Any sums which may be due from Sublessee under this Sublease or the Master Lease shall be paid to Sublessor prior to Sublessee vacating the Premises.
Upon the expiration, or earlier termination, of the Sublease, Sublessee shall remove Sublessee's Restaurant Equipment, as defined in the Master Lease; provided, however, that Sublessee shall repair any injury or damage to the Premises which may result from such removal, and shall restore the Premises to the same condition as prior to the installation thereof.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 68–406)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Churchs Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Sublease agreement between Cajun Realty LLC and the Sublessee (franchisee) will commence on the Effective Date and expire on a specific date unless it is terminated earlier, according to the terms outlined in both the Sublease and the Master Lease.
Upon the Sublease's expiration or earlier termination, the franchisee must surrender the premises in broom-clean condition, in good repair, similar to its condition on the commencement date, accounting for normal wear and tear. The franchisee is also responsible for providing a completed "PREMISES CLOSING/DE-IDENTIFICATION CHECKLIST FOR SUBLESSEE".
Any alterations made by the franchisee become part of the premises upon termination, without any compensation to the franchisee, although Churchs Chicken has the right to require the franchisee to remove any or all alterations. Before vacating, the franchisee must pay any outstanding sums owed under the Sublease or Master Lease and remove their restaurant equipment, repairing any damage caused by the removal and restoring the premises to its original condition.