The Top 25 Chicken Restaurant Franchises for 2023

The chicken chain industry saw a boost over the past several years — and it's not slowing down. 

The market size for fast food chicken franchises in the United States is expected to be $55 billion this year, growing at an average of 9.6% per year between 2017 and 2022, according to IBISWorld. 

Chicken franchises are an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to invest in the restaurant sector. Here are our top picks for 2023: 

Pollo Campero*

Investment Range: $1,287,250 - $2,491,500
Startup Costs: $1,287,250 - $2,491,500
Unit Count: 350+

Pollo Campero started in Guatemala in 1971, and its dedication to high-quality and flavorful chicken recipes hasn’t changed in 50 years. Now, 20 years after successfully launching in the U.S. and building primarily corporate restaurants, Pollo Campero has proven its concept works, and demand for its food is larger than ever.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

Startup Costs: $384,000–$3,500,000
Unit Count: 3,850+

Founded in New Orleans in 1972, Popeyes has more than 40 years of history and culinary tradition and has become one of the most well-known chicken QSRs today. The brand’s Louisiana roots inspire its Cajun menu offerings that bring a regional taste worldwide. 

Slim Chickens

Startup Costs: $1,300,000–$4,100,000
Unit Count: 162

Slim Chickens is a leader in the “better chicken” category. Its diverse menu options give diners a chance to sample their hand-breaded chicken tenders in a variety of ways, including in wraps, salads and the beloved chicken and waffle combo. 

Wingstop

Startup Costs: $315,000–$948,000
Unit Count: 1,870+

Wingstop began in 1994 as a small buffalo-style chicken wing restaurant in Garland, Texas, where it became a fan favorite. Today, the fast-growing chicken franchise is known for its “fresh, never faked” wings, hand-cut seasoned fries and its famous sides. 

Layne’s Chicken Fingers*

Startup Costs:  $656,000–$1,280,500 
Unit Count: 10

Founded in 1994 in College Station, Layne’s Chicken Fingers quickly became known for its friendly service, iconic chicken fingers and secret sauce. Now, the company plans to bring Layne’s Soon to be Famous™ Chicken Fingers to the rest of the world with plans to open 100 locations by the next four years.

Wings and Rings*

Startup Costs: $1,300,000–$2,400,000
Unit Count: 85+

Established in 1984 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Wings and Rings is a club-level sports restaurant and bar with chef-inspired recipes, crave-worthy wings, chicken ringer sandwiches and an experience that encourages social connection. With more than 85 units across the globe, the brand is changing the sports restaurant category.

KFC

Startup Costs: $1,400,000–$3,200,000
Unit Count: 25,680+

KFC is a global chicken restaurant brand with decades of history. Staying true to its secret original recipe of 11 herbs and spices since its founding more than 70 years ago, KFC has become synonymous with fried chicken and, in turn, the chicken QSR segment. 

Bojangles

Startup Costs: $577,000–$3,000,000
Unit Count: 773

Bojangles has maintained a strong foothold in the Southeastern United States since its founding in 1977. The chicken chain was founded on the promise of high-quality, flavorful food made from Southern recipes and includes staples like all-day breakfast and hand-breaded bone-in chicken.

Chester’s

Startup Costs: $16,000–$288,000
Unit Count: 1,098

Chester’s is a fried chicken franchise based in Birmingham, Alabama. It recently completed a full brand refresh in 2021, including a new logo, updated store design, all-new branded packaging, new menu items and more. 

Buffalo Wild Wings

Startup Costs: $2,500,000–$4,600,000
Unit Count: 1,258

Buffalo Wild Wings is known for sports, beer and – of course – its wings. It was founded in 1982 and has been franchising since 1991, and has since grown into one of the largest casual dining restaurants in the world.  

Zaxby’s

Startup Costs: $502,000–$950,000
Unit Count: 912

Zaxby’s is a chain of fast-casual restaurants offering chicken wings, chicken fingers, sandwiches and salads prepared at the time of order, mostly found in the Southeast region of the United States. The brand pays homage to its roots by outfitting individual units with items and art specific to the restaurant’s location. 

Epic Wings

Startup Costs: $454,000–$1,300,000
Unit Count: 29

Epic Wings started when the Sacco Family packed up their car and headed from New York to California. They claim to be the first to bring buffalo wings to the West Coast by opening Epic Wings, formerly known as Wings N’ Things, in San Diego, California, in 1982. 

Golden Chick

Startup Costs: $982,000–$1,700,000
Unit Count: 209

Golden Chick was first introduced as Golden Fried Chicken in 1967 in San Marcos, Texas. In 1996, it rebranded to Golden Chick and introduced items, such as the fan-favorite golden roasted chicken, to the menu.

Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken

Startup Costs: $483,000–$1,200,000
Unit Count: 390

Bonchon was born in Busan, South Korea, in 2002 and was raised in the heart of New York City. It is known for its famously crunchy Korean fried chicken. “BonChon” means “my hometown” and is a homage to the company’s roots. 

Chicken Salad Chick

Startup Costs: $742,000–$980,000
Unit Count: 220

What started as a small takeout restaurant in 2008 has quickly grown throughout the Southeast. Chicken Salad Chick specializes in fresh chicken salad, with over 12 flavors made in-house on a daily basis.