Franchise Deep Dive: Champs Chicken Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

LAST UPDATED: March 2023

FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://pfsbrands.com/champs-chicken-franchise-opportunity/ 

NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 424

REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $9,000 – $349,000

REPORTED ROI (Item 19): Not disclosed

Champs Chicken is a fried chicken concept that primarily operates in grocery and convenience stores. The concept was founded by Shawn and Julie Burcham in 1999, and they established and grew their business on a foundation of “doing things better.” Though these restaurants typically inhabit less traditional spaces, the guiding principles of the brand—amazing service, ultimate food experience, have a blast—set it apart.

How Many Champs Chicken Locations Are There?

According to Entrepreneur, there are 424 Champs Chicken locations. It shows a strong climb in unit count leading up to 2016, a steady decline until just before 2020, then a return to growth. Notably, the concept continued to grow through 2020 compared to many other food concepts that suffered greatly due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The brand’s website advertises a total of over 1,500 PFS brand locations in over 40 states. 

What Is the Champs Chicken Business Model?

Champs Chicken relies heavily on a great customer experience in the convenience space. Its consumer-facing website says, “Making the best chicken in the world while redefining quality and convenience to help you get through your day.”

By occupying local grocery and convenience stores, Champs is able to tap into the spaces where busy, on-the-go consumers are frequently visiting while offering franchisees an opportunity to invest in a relatively smaller space, saving money both in the initial investment and long-term costs. Rather than viewing its whole identity as a gas station chicken concept, Champs seems to center its offerings as a delicious meal at “the ultimate convenience.”

How Much Can Champs Chicken Franchise Owners Make?

Champs Chicken does not publish its financial representations, but it does promote several programs that are in place to help franchisees scale. Its volume incentive rebate program will return up to 5% of annual purchases to the franchisee if their business is driving volume up yearly.

The brand also positions itself as “the ultimate profit-driving partner” for existing owners of grocery and convenience stores. Though it does not list specifics, Champs has published feedback from a franchisee in Brighton, Tennessee who says, “The Champs Chicken program has grown my business over 600%.”

How Much Does It Cost To Open a Champs Chicken?

Champs Chicken does not publish the initial investment required to open the business. However, Entrepreneur reports an initial investment of $9,000–$349,000. There is no initial franchise fee, but prospective owners should have a net worth of $35,000–$65,000 and liquid capital of $35,000–$65,000.

Unlike many other franchise concepts, Champs Chicken offers a 90-day money-back guarantee, saying, “We believe in our Gold Champs Chicken franchise so much that if you aren’t satisfied within 90 days, we will give your money back on qualified equipment purchases. That’s 90 days to see you made the right choice.”

What Is the Franchise Fee for Champs Chicken?

Champs Chicken advertises no franchise fee, saying, “We want to help you become as successful as possible so that means no franchise fees or royalties! We are here to help you succeed!”

Who Is the Leadership of Champs Chicken?

Champs Chicken is under the PFS brands umbrella. The parent franchisor, which was founded in 2013, is made up of six professionals.

• Shawn Burcham—Chief Executive Officer
• Kyle Menges—Chief Financial Officer
• Mason Hutchison—VP, Business Development
• Brock Blaise—Senior VP, Operations
• John Bleidistel—Director of Technology
• Carla Dowden—Senior VP, Human Resources

What Helpful Articles Can I Read To Learn More?

• Champs Chicken: The Best Fried Chicken
• Champs Chicken Franchise Cost and Requirements for 2023
• Celebrating 23 Years with Champs Chicken
• Underrated Chicken Chains You’ll Wish You Knew About Sooner

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