A38/100FDD 2025
Charleys — Litigation & Risk
Food & Beverage - Quick Service · FDD Items 3, 4 & 5
Lower Risk
No litigation cases disclosed in FDD Items 3 and 4.
Source: FDD Items 3–5
FDD Items 3 & 4
Litigation Metrics
Cases disclosed
0
Total from FDD Items 3 and 4
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
—
Franchisor or officer bankruptcy
Overall risk score
38 / 100
FranchiseVerdict composite
Rating
STRONG
STRONG / MODERATE / CAUTION / AVOID
7(a) FOIA data · FY2020–present
SBA Loan Performance
Aggregated from public SBA 7(a) loan disclosures. Default rate is the share of loans that were charged off or settled for less than the full balance.
Total 7(a) loans
135
Government-backed loans issued
Default rate
0.0%
vs <3% typical · system-wide
5-yr default rate
—
Defaults
0 loans
Loans charged off or defaulted
FDD Items 5, 6 & 17 — what you give up
Contract Risk Indicators
Mandatory arbitration
Required
Disputes resolved outside court — limits your legal options
Jury trial waiver
Waived
You give up the right to a jury trial
Non-compete
2 yrs
Post-termination restriction on similar businesses
Franchisor can compete
Yes
Franchisor can open competing locations in or near your territory
Right of first refusal
Yes
Franchisor can match any purchase offer when you try to sell
Governing law
Ohio
State whose law governs disputes — relevant if you're not based there
What drove the 38/100 rating
Risk Score Breakdown
- 01MEDNo Item 19 (average net income) disclosed — impossible to validate the $911K average revenue translates to acceptable profit
- 02MINORUnprotected territory creates direct competition risk and cannibalization potential within the same franchise system
- 03MINORWide investment range ($203K–$984K) suggests inconsistent unit economics or hidden cost variables not clearly defined
- 04HIGHNo going concern statement is positive, but rapid 21.8% YoY unit growth may indicate oversaturation rather than health
- 05MED6% royalty on ~$911K revenue equals ~$55K annually, which combined with other fees could compress already-undisclosed margins
Severity inferred from FDD text — not a regulatory or legal classification
Litigation data from FDD Items 3, 4, and 5. SBA data from public 7(a) FOIA records (FY2020–present). Not legal advice — consult a franchise attorney before signing any franchise agreement.