Who is ultimately responsible for choosing, obtaining, and developing the site for an Hck Hot Chicken Restaurant?
Hck_Hot_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
cess to the Brand Standards Manual.
Site Selection Assistance
You are solely responsible for selecting the site of your Restaurant, which will be subject to our review and acceptance. We do not locate sites for you. We do not generally own the premises and lease it to you. Although we will consult with you on your site and require your site be subject to our final acceptance, you have the ultimate responsibility in choosing, obtaining, and developing the site for your Restaurant. We do not guarantee the suitability or success of the accepted site (Franchise Agreement, Section 5.2).
Site Review
We must accept the site before you enter into a lease. For Restaurant openings other than your first Restaurant under an Area Development Agreement, you must sign the Franchise Agreement upon the earlier of the acceptance of the site of the Restaurant or 180 days before your development obligation date. In evaluating a proposed site, we consider such factors as general location and neighborhood, traffic patterns, parking, size, layout, and other physical characteristics. Before leasing or purchasing the site for your Restaurant, you must submit to us, in the form we specify, a description of the site, with other information and materials we may reasonably require. Upon receiving the information regarding a proposed site, we will review the information and either accept or reject the proposed site.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING,COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 28–37)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hck Hot Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee has the ultimate responsibility for site selection. While Hck Hot Chicken offers site selection assistance and requires final acceptance of the site, the franchisee is solely responsible for selecting, obtaining, and developing the location for their restaurant. Hck Hot Chicken does not guarantee the suitability or success of the site.
This means that prospective Hck Hot Chicken franchisees must conduct their own due diligence when choosing a location. This includes market research, demographic studies, and traffic analysis to determine if a site is likely to be successful. Franchisees should also consider the cost of leasing or purchasing the property, as well as the cost of build-out and renovations. The franchisor will provide a copy of their basic specifications for the design and layout of the premises, but the franchisee is responsible for the costs of preparing architectural, engineering, and construction drawings and site plans, which must be submitted to Hck Hot Chicken for review and approval before construction can begin.
This arrangement is typical in the franchise industry, where franchisees usually bear the responsibility for finding and securing their own locations. While the franchisor offers guidance and approval, the final decision rests with the franchisee. This allows franchisees to leverage their local knowledge and expertise in selecting a site that meets their specific needs and budget. However, it also means that franchisees bear the risk if the chosen location does not perform as expected.
For Non-Traditional Restaurants, Hck Hot Chicken approves the site and the host facility before the franchisee signs the Franchise Agreement and any applicable addendum. Hck Hot Chicken will also review the lease agreement for the Restaurant to ensure that its terms contain their required provisions and otherwise meet their minimum standards. The lease must address certain issues, including: (a) not obligating Hck Hot Chicken in any manner; (b) no terms inconsistent with the Franchise Agreement; (c) no non-competition covenant that restricts Hck Hot Chicken; (d) granting Hck Hot Chicken rights to assume the franchisee's rights to the Premises of the Restaurant upon termination or non- renewal under the lease; (e) prohibiting competing restaurants in the same center; (f) construction according to Hck Hot Chicken's standards; and (g) Premises de-identification upon expiration or termination.