How Much Does a Chick-fil-A Franchise Cost?

Opening a Chick-fil-A franchise costs between $342,990 and $1,982,225, including a $10,000 franchise fee, but unlike most other franchisors, Chick-fil-A covers all opening expenses, meaning franchisees are on the hook only for that $10,000. That makes Chick-fil-A one of the least expensive major fast-food chains to buy into by a long shot. Additionally, Chick-fil-A has no requirements for minimum net worth or liquid assets.

However, Chick-fil-A charges a 15% royalty and takes 50% of all profits for franchisees, by far the steepest structure of any quick-service brand. Wendy’s, for example, requires franchisees to have a minimum net worth of $5 million with $2 million in liquid assets but charges them just a 4% royalty. 

Because Chick-fil-A covers all expenses involved in building and opening a restaurant, the franchisor also owns the real estate, building, equipment and virtually everything else in the store; the franchisee simply operates the business.

While the franchising opportunity doesn’t cost much, Chick-fil-A “requires a holistic commitment to own and operate the business in a hands-on manner” from owners.

Overall, Chick-fil-A’s unorthodox strategy has paid off. Chick-fil-A makes more money per store than McDonald’s, Burger King or Wendy’s, and doesn’t even open on Sundays.

Of course, Chick-fil-A is far from the only fried chicken game in franchising. Even before Popeyes' chicken sandwich ignited a fried chicken arms race among the biggest names in fast food, fried chicken had long been one of the most popular segments in franchising. 

The truth is, it is notoriously difficult to buy a Chick-fil-A, which is why many prospective franchise buyers end up investing in other brands in the segment.

If Chick-fil-A isn’t the best fit for you, here are five other restaurant franchise brands to look into:

• MOOYAH | Total Investment: $551,918 to $715,161
• Wings & Rings | Total Investment: $1,280,000 to $2,412,000
• Layne’s Chicken Fingers*  | Total Investment: $769,000 to $1,320,000
• A&W Restaurants* | Total Investment: $269,000 to $1,200,000
• Paris Baguette* | Total Investment: $378,270 to $1,638,554

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