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LAST UPDATED: October 2024FRANCHISE WEBSITE:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chick-fil-a.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-rise-of-chick-fil-a-americas-number-one-chicken-franchise-2727483" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.chick-fil-a.com/franchise</a>&nbsp;NUMBER OF LOCATIONS:&nbsp;3,000+REPORTED COST TO GET IN:&nbsp;$10,000REPORTED ROI (Item 19):&nbsp;See below<a href="https://www.chick-fil-a.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-rise-of-chick-fil-a-americas-number-one-chicken-franchise-2727483" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chick-fil-A’s</a> rise to the top of America’s fast-food chicken industry is a story of strategy, commitment to quality and customer loyalty. Since the opening of the first official Chick-fil-A restaurant in 1967, the family-owned concept has transformed what fast-food chicken can be. Now, it has redefined success in the industry, continuing to grow with locally owned and operated restaurants and an incredibly strong national name.<h2>How Many Chick-fil-A Locations Are There?</h2>Chick-fil-A posits that it did not create the chicken, but it did create the chicken sandwich. The brand started as the “Dwarf Grill,” now known as The Dwarf House, in Hapeville, Georgia in 1946. Founder S. Truett Cathy developed the iconic Chick-fil-A sandwich here, and this was the start of the expansive Chick-fil-A network we know today.The brand opened its first mall location in 1967 and its first standalone location in 1986. Now, there are over 3,000 Chick-fil-A restaurants, primarily run by local operators.<h2>What Is the Chick-fil-A Business Model?</h2>Chick-fil-A has both standalone and non-traditional restaurants, but regardless of where and how they operate, the restaurants are focused on providing great food and great service. Chick-fil-A has steadily expanded its offerings beyond the classic chicken sandwich to include additional flavor combinations, salads, wraps, nuggets, desserts and sides, further widening its potential customer base.Another major driver of Chick-fil-A’s growth has been its ongoing commitment to speed and efficiency. The brand has carried its near-perfect service model over to drive-thru, curbside and carry-out pickups as well as deliveries, and ongoing innovations like its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chick-fil-a.com/customer-support/ordering-and-payment/digital-ordering-and-payment/what-is-mobile-thru?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-rise-of-chick-fil-a-americas-number-one-chicken-franchise-2727483" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mobile Thru setup</a> are what keeps it at the forefront of the industry.<h2>How Much Can Chick-fil-A Franchise Owners Make?</h2>According to the brand’s 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, some Chick-fil-A units made up to $19 million in 2023. Here is a breakdown of sales performance, organized by outlet type:Mall Locations:<ul><li>Number of Mall Locations: 188</li><li>Median Annual Sales: $3,378,878</li><li>Average Annual Sales: $4,496,740<ul><li>34% of mall locations achieved equal or better than $4,496,740 in annual sales.</li></ul></li><li>Highest Annual Sales: $18,989,428</li><li>Lowest Annual Sales: $1,114,090</li></ul>Non-Mall Locations:<ul><li>Number of Non-Mall Locations: 2,049</li><li>Median Annual Sales: $9,374,320</li><li>Average Annual Sales: $9,274,890<ul><li>48% of non-mall locations achieved equal or better than $9,374,320 in annual sales.</li></ul></li><li>Highest Annual Sales: $19,094,334</li><li>Lowest Annual Sales: $2,742,171</li></ul><h2>How Much Does It Cost To Open a Chick-fil-A Location?</h2>Chick-fil-A has a unique start-up and operating model. While it can cost a couple of million dollars to open a Chick-fil-A restaurant, these numbers aren’t very relevant to prospective franchisees. Chick-fil-A operators pay their $10,000 franchise fee, and the company covers the rest. This comes with a few important stipulations, though.Chick-fil-A franchisees&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-buy-a-chick-fil-a-franchise-2724659#stories">pay some pretty substantial royalties</a> and hand over half of their profits, so the opportunity isn’t necessarily a $10,000 entry fee to unlock millions of your own each year. It is also important to note that, to be considered for ownership, potential operators must be willing to be involved in the business full-time and divest themselves from all other “non-passive business opportunities.”<h2>What Is the Franchise Fee for Chick-fil-A?</h2>Chick-fil-A charges a $10,000 franchise fee. This money cannot be borrowed or gifted.<h2>Who Is the Leadership of Chick-fil-A?</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewtcathy/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-rise-of-chick-fil-a-americas-number-one-chicken-franchise-2727483" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Andrew T. Cathy — Chief Executive Officer</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/susannah-frost-71ba86116/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-rise-of-chick-fil-a-americas-number-one-chicken-franchise-2727483" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Susannah Frost — President</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonbbridges/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-rise-of-chick-fil-a-americas-number-one-chicken-franchise-2727483" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jonathan Bridges — Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/onome-okuma/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-rise-of-chick-fil-a-americas-number-one-chicken-franchise-2727483" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Onome Okuma — Executive Vice President, Chief Digital Officer</a></li></ul><h2>What Helpful Articles Can I Read To Learn More?</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/chick-fil-a-asks-1-brilliant-question-in-every-franchise-interview-now-theres-a-summer-camp.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-rise-of-chick-fil-a-americas-number-one-chicken-franchise-2727483" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chick-fil-A Asks 1 Brilliant Question in Every Franchise Interview. Now, There's a Summer Camp</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-owning-a-chick-fil-a-franchise-2725069">The Pros and Cons of Owning a Chick-fil-A Franchise</a></li><li><a href="https://www.thecaterer.com/news/chick-fil-a-reveals-locations-of-first-uk-restaurants?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-rise-of-chick-fil-a-americas-number-one-chicken-franchise-2727483" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chick-fil-A Reveals Locations of First U.K. Restaurants</a></li></ul>Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.&nbsp;Check out these three 1851 brands:<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne's Chicken Fingers</a><ul><li><a href="https://layneschickenfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-rise-of-chick-fil-a-americas-number-one-chicken-franchise-2727483" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Franchise Development Page</a></li><li>Number of Open Locations (as of October 2024): 17</li><li>Investment Range: $446,500 - $1,015,000</li></ul><a href="https://1851franchise.com/southernclassicchicken/info">Southern Classic Chicken</a><ul><li><a href="https://southernclassicchickenfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-rise-of-chick-fil-a-americas-number-one-chicken-franchise-2727483" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Franchise Development Page</a></li><li>Number of Open Locations (as of October 2024):&nbsp;17</li><li>Investment Range: $777,500 - $1,235,500</li></ul><a href="https://1851franchise.com/pollocampero/info">Pollo Campero*</a><ul><li><a href="http://camperofranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-rise-of-chick-fil-a-americas-number-one-chicken-franchise-2727483" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Franchise Development Page</a></li><li>Number of Open Locations (as of October 2024):&nbsp;350+&nbsp;</li><li>Investment Range: $1,287,250 - $2,491,500</li></ul>Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.1851growthclub.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-rise-of-chick-fil-a-americas-number-one-chicken-franchise-2727483" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.&nbsp;All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the email constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.

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