1851

Chick-fil-A is one of the most sought-after concepts in the franchise space. The franchisor has certainly played into this demand with its exclusive but incredibly attractive franchise policies.Franchisees can invest for just $10,000, a fraction of the price tag that accompanies many other big-name quick service restaurant (QSR) concepts. This franchise fee and “<a href="https://www.chick-fil-a.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-is-it-so-cheap-to-invest-in-a-chick-fil-a-2721997" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">a holistic commitment to own and operate the business in a hands-on manner</a>” is all a prospective owner needs to commit. Chick-fil-A covers build-out costs, real estate and equipment.The catch is that this leaves the franchisees in more of an operator role than one of an owner. Chick-fil-A operators&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-does-a-chick-fil-a-franchise-cost-2715278#stories">pay 15% in royalties, and 50% of profits go to corporate</a>. Further, because the franchisee did not fund the build-out, they do not own the restaurant and therefore cannot sell it should they decide to transition out of the business.&nbsp;Clearly, though, these contingencies haven’t slowed down interested franchisees. Chick-fil-A receives tens of thousands of inquiries annually, and it tends to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/sky-high-expectations-chick-fil-as-franchise-process-and-where-to-look-if-you-arent-selected-2719367#stories">accept about 1%</a> of applicants.Do You Get What You Pay For?In the franchise world, a total initial investment of $10,000 is pretty low. Is the Chick-fil-A franchise a “get what you pay for” situation? Not really.Of course, some franchisees go into business with hopes of building up an empire and a strong business that can be passed down to family members. Though this isn’t the case with Chick-fil-A, as operators cannot sell their locations, direct ownership of a business certainly is not the only path to generational wealth.According to the brand’s most recent Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), its U.S. systemwide sales were&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/chick-fil-a-drive-thru-efficiency-boosts-customer-satisfaction-and-sales-2721926#featured">nearly $19 billion</a> in the previous year, a notable increase from 2021’s $16.6 billion, 2020’s $13.7 billion and 2019’s $12.2 billion.Chick-fil-A locations with a drive-thru averaged over $8.5 million in sales per unit, and the highest-performing location secured nearly $17 million in revenue. Yes, these stats are lowered significantly when the corporate cut is taken out, but a multi-million dollar operation is nothing to sneeze at.These revenue representations are reflective of so much more than just customers’ motivation to buy chicken. A Chick-fil-A franchisee’s initial investment brings them into the notorious network of business owners, and they unlock access to the appeal of the Chick-fil-A name. The customary “My pleasure,” freakishly efficient multi-lane drive-thrus, innovative marketing and core menu of chicken-based entrees all serve as key differentiators for the concept, drawing even more customers in.&nbsp;To access all of these well-established practices and its reputation, $10,000 may not seem too bad … even if you do have to fork over half of your profits. After all is said and done, it is reported that Chick-fil-A operators do take home a decent salary.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mashed.com/179233/how-much-chick-fil-a-franchise-owners-really-make-per-year/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-is-it-so-cheap-to-invest-in-a-chick-fil-a-2721997" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mashed</a> reports an average of around $200,000 annually, while reported salaries on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Chick-fil-A-Owner-Operator-Salaries-E5873_D_KO12,26.htm?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-is-it-so-cheap-to-invest-in-a-chick-fil-a-2721997#:~:text=Chick%2Dfil%2DA%20Salary%20FAQs&amp;text=The%20average%20salary%20for%20an,per%20year%20for%20this%20job." target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Glassdoor</a> average $82,065 annually, with the top of the range sitting at about $138,000. For owner-operators who have a true passion for people, service and even the brand itself, $10,000 can unlock an opportunity that is rewarding in more ways than one.

Why Is It So Cheap To Invest in a Chick-fil-A?

1851 Franchise

Chick-fil-A franchisees can invest as little as $10,000 to begin operations. The catch? You aren’t the sole owner.

why-is-it-so-cheap-to-invest-in-a-chick-fil-a

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers - Midyear Press Release 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Comfort Keepers® Hits Mid-Year Stride With Strong Franchise Growth and Rising Demand for In-Home Care

comfort-keepers-franchise-midyear-momentum-2025

petbar

petbar - Garrett Dewan - Why I'm Investing - 1851 Franchise

Why Garrett Dewan Is Choosing To Reinvest in petbar

petbar-franchise-austin-garrett-dewan-multi-unit

Paris Baguette

NJBIZ: Paris Baguette Ramps Up Expansion With New Franchises, Facility and 2030 Growth Target

njbiz-paris-baguette-ramps-up-expansion-with-new-franchises-facility-and-2030-growth-target

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-2025

Home Halo

home-halo-former-athletes-frachisees-image

Why Former College Athletes Can Make Winning Home Halo Franchise Owners

former-college-athletes-home-halo-franchise

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Unlocking Superpowers: How KidStrong Is Building the Next Generation of Confident Kids — and Thriving Franchise Owners

kidstrong-franchise-confident-kids

Image of a kid growing up, developing with kidstrong, high fiving and smiling. 

How KidStrong has Become the Franchise Disrupting Child Development by Partnering with Purpose-Driven Franchise Owners 

kidstrong-franchise-opportunity-child-development

Picture of kids for franchise business Kidstrong which focuses on child development and fitness

KidStrong Is Pediatrician-Recommended for Raising Confident, Capable Kids and Families Can't Get Enough

kidstrong-child-development-program

Bringing Robots to Main Street: How Elad Inbar’s RobotLAB Franchise Is Powering the Local AI Revolution

bringing-robots-to-main-street-how-elad-inbars-robotlab-franchise-is-powering-the-local-ai-revolution

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Why Is It So Cheap To Invest in a Chick-fil-A?

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS