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When people think of quick-service restaurants, Burger King, McDonald’s, Wendy’s and other burger joints are what’s most likely to come to mind. And while these burger chains continue to experience success in the restaurant industry, chicken is the real shining star here. We’re not talking about these aforementioned chains offering chicken sandwich options on their menus—which they most certainly do—we’re talking about the franchise brands that have formed their identity around chicken and chicken alone.From what makes these brands unique to the ways in which they’re successfully innovating, these 10 chicken franchises are making a point of standing out.&nbsp;PopeyesNumber of locations: Over 3,100 unitsInvestment range: $383,500 to $2,620,800Franchise opportunity website: <a href="https://company.popeyes.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://company.popeyes.com/franchise/</a>Since its founding in 1972, Popeyes has been infusing New Orleans culture into its food. From chicken tenders and wings to popcorn shrimp and a number of well-crafted sides like mac n’ cheese and red beans and rice (not to mention tits raved-about biscuits), Popeyes has led the charge in spreading the reach of and popularizing classic Southern comfort food.&nbsp;What you can learn from this brand: This year is one that Popeyes won’t soon forget thanks to the infamous chicken sandwich, an all-white chicken breast hand battered and breaded in the brand’s signature buttermilk coating. This product was a hot commodity––so much so that all <a href="https://1851franchise.com/it-was-fun-while-it-lasted-popeyes-has-officially-sold-out-of-its-new-chicken-sandwich-2710867#most-recent">Popeyes stores ran out</a> in dramatic, much-buzzed-about fashion. <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/michelinemaynard/2019/08/28/the-popeyes-chicken-sandwich-now-sold-out-is-a-65-million-marketing-win/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Popeyes made a whopping $65 million from the chicken sandwich’s debut</a> as a result of an incredible amount of viral, user-generated hype. The brand further capitalized on the sandwich’s popularity by bringing it back as a permanent menu item.WingstopNumber of locations: Over 1,100Investment range: $374,090 to $782,450Franchise opportunity website: <a href="https://www.wingstop.com/own-a-wingstop%5C?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.wingstop.com/own-a-wingstop\</a>Wingstop opened its doors to customers in 1994 and began providing opportunities to franchisees in 1997. The dine-in and carryout restaurant specializes in chicken and prides itself on knowing flavor. Its menu offers bone-in or boneless chicken wings, chicken tenders and a variety of sides to accompany any of its meals.&nbsp;What you can learn from this brand: Wingstop was instantly off to a successful 2019 when <a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-development-leaders-the-goddard-schools-dennis-maple-2711130#most-recent">its same-store sales rose 7.1% in the first quarter</a> due to its digital ordering push, both online and mobile, and its reinvigorated emphasis on delivery. Wingstop also announced plans to <a href="https://1851franchise.com/wingstop-relocating-corporate-headquarters-to-support-growth-2710334#most-recent">relocate the headquarters office to Addison, Texas</a> in June as part of its effort to assist in the brand’s next phase of expansion.&nbsp;El Pollo LocoNumber of locations: 500Investment range: $502,000 to $1,100,000Franchise opportunity website: <a href="https://www.elpolloloco.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.elpolloloco.com/franchising/</a>It all started in 1975 when founder Pancho Ochoa sold everything he had to open the first El Pollo Loco in Sinaloa, Mexico. Today, El Pollo Loco has over 500 locations across six Southwest states. The Mexican-style menu contains handmade guacamole, salsa and dressings to serve alongside its grilled chicken dishes. Along with the company’s refreshed website and mobile app, El Pollo Loco embarked on the largest day of community service the company has ever organized in honor of Cesar Chavez Day by <a href="http://investor.elpolloloco.com/news-releases/news-release-details/el-pollo-loco-honors-cesar-chavez-day-company-wide-community?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">helping to restore a high school in Los Angeles</a>, the community in which El Pollo Loco first opened its U.S. store. The brand plans to continue serving its communities and collecting success as 2020 approaches.&nbsp;What you can learn from this brand: “As we look to 2020, our recently restructured senior leadership team is focused on continuing to innovate and drive customer loyalty,” said El Pollo Loco president and CEO Bernard Acoca. “We also have aspirations to grow the brand beyond our current geographic footprint. We’ve carved out a new niche for our unique L.A.-Mex, better-for-you twists on traditional Mexican dishes.”Chick-fil-ANumber of locations: 2,360Investment range: $342,990 to $1,982,225Franchise opportunity website: <a href="https://www.chick-fil-a.com/Franchising/Franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.chick-fil-a.com/Franchising/Franchise</a>Chick-fil-A, otherwise known as America’s favorite fast food restaurant four years running, has experienced an impressive year of growth and success. Not only did Chick-fil-A land the top spot on the American Customer Satisfaction Index ranking of “limited-service restaurants,” but it was named the third-largest restaurant chain in the U.S. this year. The chicken franchise <a href="https://1851franchise.com/chick-fil-a-flies-past-competition-to-become-3rd-largest-restaurant-chain-in-us-2710272#most-recent">grew systemwide sales 16.7%</a> to the tune of a whopping $10.46 billion in 2018. Along with its growth in sales, Chick-fil-A made headlines when it debuted its new mac and cheese side dish.&nbsp;What you can learn from this brand: Perhaps Chick-fil-A’s <a href="https://thechickenwire.chick-fil-a.com/inside-chick-fil-a/what-does-chick-fil-as-no-antibiotics-ever-commitment-mean-to-you?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">biggest milestone this year</a> was its commitment to serve “No Antibiotics Ever” chicken at each of its restaurants, significant due to its level of transparency in a space that traditionally lacks it. After the chicken franchise declared its goal to achieve 100% of its locations to serve only No Antibiotics Ever chicken, it’s officially the first QSR to make such a pledge, a strategic play to appeal to the growing pool of health-conscious diners looking for food at a value.KFCNumber of locations: Over 21,000Investment range: $1,442,550 to $2,771,550Franchise opportunity website: <a href="https://www.kfc.com/about/franchising?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.kfc.com/about/franchising</a>KFC is one of the longest-tenured franchises of all-time—and is showing no signs of going anywhere anytime soon. Since debuted by Colonel Sanders way back in 1930 in—you guessed it—Kentucky, the chicken brand has become synonymous with fried chicken for many americans, and across the glob, for that matter. KFC still uses the same herbs and spices to season its tenders and wings, the recipe for which will forever remain a secret.&nbsp;What you can learn from this brand: The brand has adapted to today’s dining trends by rolling out a delivery option this year through the popular third-party delivery app, <a href="https://www.grubhub.com/food/kfc?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIytDFsryP5QIVDNvACh14CQ6XEAAYASAAEgJblfD_BwE&amp%3Butm_source=google&amp%3Butm_medium=cpc_rest-brand&amp%3Butm_campaign=National+%7C+All+%7C+Restaurants+-+Chain+%7C+KFC+%7C+Delivery&amp%3Butm_term=kfc+delivery&amp%3Befkwid=795891730&amp%3Bef_id=EAIaIQobChMIytDFsryP5QIVDNvACh14CQ6XEAAYASAAEgJblfD_BwE%3AG%3As&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Grubhub</a>. KFC also hopped on the plant-based bandwagon and introduced its <a href="https://1851franchise.com/kfc-and-beyond-meat-test-new-finger-lickin-fake-chicken-2710851#most-recent">finger-lickin’ fake chicken</a>––making it the first national U.S. quick service restaurant to produce a plant-based chicken option. The company also made changes at the employee level when KFC Chief Operations Officer Monica Rothgery implemented the brand’s new <a href="https://1851franchise.com/kfc-is-making-a-comeback-with-a-focus-on-improved-guest-experience-2710842#most-recent">“scoop to order”</a> process to increase the speed of service.&nbsp;Slim ChickensNumber of locations: Over 70Investment range: $915,900 to $1,714,000Franchise opportunity website: <a href="https://slimchickensfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://slimchickensfranchise.com/</a>For 16 years, Slim Chickens has become quite well-known across the Southeastern U.S. for serving up home-cooked favorites like fried pickles, classic coleslaw and, of course,&nbsp; its famous cooked-to-order chicken. Since its 2003 founding in a garage in Fayetteville, Arkansas, the brand has been delivering customers top-tier Southern hospitality from the moment they step foot inside one of its restaurants.What you can learn from this brand: After seeing same-store sales grow 15.3% in 2018 to $129.4 million, according to <a href="https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/slim-chickens-receives-equity-investment-fuel-growth?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Restaurant Business</a>, Slim Chickens received an equity investment to fuel the fast casual chain’s growth in 2019. The investment is poised to help the brand <a href="https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/slim-chickens-receives-equity-investment-fuel-growth?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">open 600 units over the next decade</a>, setting Slim Chickens up for a huge 2020.Wing ZoneNumber of locations: Nearly 100Investment range: $250,000 to $760,000Franchise opportunity website: <a href="https://wingzonefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://wingzonefranchise.com/</a>Wing Zone was founded in 1991 by Matt Friedman and Adam Scott, two college students working out of their fraternity house kitchen. The two refer to themselves as “flavorholics,” and as such, have developed a menu that ranges from wings and tenders to burgers that have elicited numerous awards. After 25 years of business, <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/fast-casual/wing-zone-turns-25-style?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Friedman claimed the biggest lesson he learned along the way was focus and discipline</a>. To celebrate 25 in 2019, along with expanding its stores and innovating its menu, <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/fast-casual/wing-zone-turns-25-style?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Wing Zone rolled out a delivery option</a> in partnership with Grubhub.&nbsp;What you can learn from this brand: The brand has been perennially recognized by the National Buffalo Wing Festival by its “crazy and fun” flavors, and also landed a spot on the <a href="https://wingzonefranchise.com/why-wing-zone/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">2019 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers &amp; Shakers list</a> for the second year in 2019. This recognition exemplifies how a brand that remains focused on an exemplary offering on the consumer side inherently creates value in its offering on the franchise development side.Church’s ChickenNumber of locations: 1,700-plusInvestment range: $964,150 to $1,556,300Franchise opportunity website: <a href="https://www.churchs.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.churchs.com/franchising/</a>Since 1952, Church’s Chicken’s hand-battered original and spicy chicken and honey butter biscuits made from scratch have dominated the flavor game in the chicken sector of the franchise industry. Despite a 159-restaurant decline over the last three years, Church’s recently unveiled its first rebrand in decades <a href="https://1851franchise.com/are-shared-spaces-changing-real-estate-as-we-know-it-2711463#most-recent">in hopes of enticing a private equity buyer to take on the franchise</a>, a trend becoming increasingly common in the franchising space of late.What you can learn from the brand: In 2018, Church’s Chicken reported its sales and profits to be the highest they’ve ever been, but 2019 has been even better for the brand. The chicken franchise outperformed last year’s numbers thanks to <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/church-s-chickens-sales-momentum-continues-2019?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">the 20 consecutives weeks of positive comparative sales</a>. A huge contributor to that is <a href="https://www.restaurantnews.com/churchs-chicken-adds-digital-and-media-resources-to-continue-sales-and-traffic-growth-092719/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Church’s Chicken’s To-Go platform</a>, which has been spread across many technology platforms making it faster and more convenient for customers to order food.Bojangles’ Famous Chicken 'n BiscuitsNumber of locations: Over 760Investment range: $1,637,440 to $2,359,000Franchise opportunity website: <a href="https://www.bojangles.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.bojangles.com/franchising/</a>Bojangles’ was founded in Charlotte, North Carolina and since 1977, the Southeastern chicken chain continues to pride itself on “bringin’ that down home flavor” to every customer. The chicken franchise is known for spicing up its chicken with cajun seasoning and serving chicken with a hot fluffy biscuit on the side, which customers enjoy with the brand’s signature <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/forget-chicken-sandwiches-which-chain-makes-the-best-fried-chicken/2019/08/28/05b2ae4c-bf8e-11e9-b873-63ace636af08_story.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">iced tea</a>.&nbsp;What you can learn from the brand: This year, <a href="https://www.nrn.com/quick-service/bojangles-names-new-marketing-chief?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bojangles’ hired former Krispy Kreme executive Jackie Woodward</a> as its new chief marketing officer. Since coming on board, Woodward has made an immediate impact by launching a number of innovative and creative campaigns to further expand the brand to new locations.&nbsp;Dave’s Hot ChickenNumber of locations: 2Investment range: $350,000 to $850,000Franchise opportunity website: <a href="https://www.daveshotchicken.com/franchising?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.daveshotchicken.com/franchising</a>Dave’s Hot Chicken was recently founded in 2017 by four childhood friends with a goal of making Nashville hot chicken better than anyone else out there. What resulted was the creation of seven classic seasonings that range from “no spice” to the hottest of hot, “reaper.” Patrons of Dave’s Hot Chicken have the option of accompanying their choice of seasoned chicken with a classic bowl of mac and cheese or crispy fries, creating a simple-yet-alluring dining experience that fans of the growing brand are taking notice of.&nbsp;What you can learn from the brand: While Dave’s Hot Chicken only has two brick-and-mortar locations in Hollywood as it currently stands, the brand is getting ready to open two additional locations in Los Angeles. Being the new kid on the block in the world of chicken franchises may make growth seem daunting, but the brand is benefitting from a growing hype; <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/exclusives/dave-s-hot-chicken-blazes-ahead-nationwide-growth?utm_campaign=20191010&amp%3Butm_medium=email&amp%3Butm_source=jolt&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-10-chicken-franchises-to-watch-in-2020-2711622" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">an impressive list of investors including Maria Shriver and movie producer John Davis recently jumped on board </a>this year to support it.

Top 10 Chicken Franchises To Watch in 2020

1851 Franchise

Chicken sandwiches are becoming the new burgers. Need proof? Chick-fil-A is America’s favorite fast-food restaurant, beating out McDonald’s and Wendy’s. While burgers are a popular item on many restaurant menus, 2020 may just be the year of the chicken. 

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Woofie's

Woofie's Wraps Up 2025 With 25 Franchise Deals Signed, Expanding Into Major Metros Across the U.S.

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Your Pet’s Life Is Busy, Too. Woofie’s Makes Care Easy

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Woofie’s Is Building the Full-Service Pet Care Franchise for Modern Pet Parents and Authority Brands Is Accelerating the Momentum

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urSwim

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Why urSwim’s Swim Lesson Model Is Built to Withstand Economic Downturns

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America's Swimming Pool

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America’s Swimming Pool Company Celebrates Franchise Growth and Excellence at 2026 Owners Conference

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Why Skilled Trades Are Emerging as the Economy’s Most AI-Resilient Careers

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The Penny Shortage Is Creating a New Risk for QSR Franchise Systems - 1851 Franchise

The Penny Shortage Is Creating a New Risk for QSR Franchise Systems

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Large Domino’s Franchisee Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

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RF Investment Partners and Burlington Capital Join Forces to Acquire Top Precision Garage Door Franchise

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Private Equity Fuels Jiffy Lube’s Next Chapter as Monomoy Strikes $1.3 Billion Deal

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Sparkle Dog Care Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Sparkle Dog Care is a membership-based pet grooming franchise that blends wellness-focused hygiene services with small-box retail and community engagement.

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Amada Senior Care Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Amada Senior Care is a non-medical home care, assisted living placement, and related senior-support services with multiple revenue streams.

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Visiting Angels Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Visiting Angels is a senior home care franchise focused on in-home support for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

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Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: A fast-casual restaurant brand serving made-from-scratch sandwiches, salads, soups and pizzas rooted in Southern hospitality.


Newk’s Eatery Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

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How much can franchisees make? It’s a question many prospective owners ask before investing in a franchise. While earnings tend to be driven by variables such as industry, location and general management skills, a proper understanding of the key factors driving profitability can help franchise owners develop expectations that are realistic.&nbsp;Multi-unit franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mangesh-patel-9368569/">Mangesh Patel</a>, who’s readying the launch of six&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beefobradysfranchise.com/">Beef ‘O’ Brady’s</a> restaurant locations in the Macon, Georgia area, shares insights from his franchising experience.<h2>Understanding Franchise Income</h2>Keeping operational costs in check can have a major impact on overall earnings. Taking a proactive approach to expenses such as food and labor, as well as payroll and scheduling, can help align actual franchise income with general expectations for the business.“I just had a meeting with a couple of people, and they said, ‘You talked about a 25% profit margin, but I’m only doing 12%.’ So, I looked at the figures they sent me,” Patel said. “Their&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/calculate-restaurant-franchise-profit-2730476">restaurant</a> food cost was running at 37%, which should be around 30%. The national average is about 32%. If I do things correctly, my average food cost needs to be at or below 30%. And payroll should run around 18%. But many people run 25 to 28%.”So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unraveling-franchise-earnings-how-much-can-you-really-make-2723935">how much can franchisees make</a>? Here are five areas to consider.<h2>Practical Tips for Prospective Franchisees</h2><ol><li>Control Costs From Day One:&nbsp;It’s important to monitor payroll, food and supply costs closely. Overstaffing and inefficiencies can quickly reduce profits.</li><li>Plan For The Opening Surge:&nbsp;Traffic within the first few months of opening is likely to be higher. It’s important to adjust staffing and inventory accordingly, and pay close attention to how those levels change as time goes on.</li><li>Invest In Training:&nbsp;Properly trained workers can help reduce waste and improve overall service, which has a direct effect on net income.</li><li>Understand Your Market:&nbsp;Each market is unique and revenue potential will vary depending upon location, demographics and competition.</li><li>Track Metrics Regularly:&nbsp;Food cost percentages, labor ratios and weekly sales data act as key indicators operations may need to be adjusted.</li></ol><h2>What Profitability Really Comes Down To</h2>Patel notes that if franchise owners manage labor and costs properly, it’s not impossible to achieve strong cash flow even in the first year, bucking some franchising trends.So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-can-you-make-as-a-franchise-owner-2724761">how much can franchisees make</a>? While results tend to vary, careful planning, disciplined operations and a proactive approach to assessing initial costs are essential. But by grasping and guiding the elements that drive franchise profitability, franchise owners can maximize overall business earnings, scaling a business that’s sustainable financially over the long term.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.

How much can franchisees make? This guide explains what drives franchise earnings and how to manage costs, with expert tips from multi-unit owner Mangesh Patel on maximizing your franchise income.

How Much Can Franchisees Make? A Guide for Prospective Franchise Owners

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The linear sales funnel is dying. Prospective buyers are no longer filling out a form at first glance and waiting for the phone to ring. They’re doing the majority of the heavy lifting before they even make themselves known to the franchisor. For franchisors, this means one key thing: you must know exactly where candidates spend their time. No guesswork. And you have to adjust your strategy accordingly.And, in today's buyer world, the biggest buzz term is 2026's ride or die for franchise brands – Ai.&nbsp;If you are trying to sell a franchise today, you must meet candidates where they are (four walls, Ai, website, social advertising).&nbsp;Focusing on a strong digital footprint first and then lead generation will help the brand with validation and will lay the foundation for trust before the first conversation even happens. Still, franchisors must know where to find their candidates and be confident the candidates are being sent to the right place.“We consistently see the strongest lead performance from Google Search (paid and organic), social platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn and our franchise development website,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinlsnyder">Erin Snyder</a>, head of franchise development at&nbsp;<a href="https://handelsicecream.com/handels-franchise/">Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream</a>. “Because all awareness and advertising efforts ultimately funnel candidates to our development site, maintaining a highly optimized, mobile-first web presence is critical for conversion.”<h2>The "Hidden" Channels: Authentic Research via AiSEO</h2>While Google and major portals are often where a candidate might start a broad search, the deep research happens in the shadows. This is where candidates scroll, mindlessly or otherwise, simply observing rather than clicking “apply” immediately; or, ask Ai chatbots about the best franchises to buy, the blind spots, the why nots, and, of course, the whys.Right now, Ai plays a key role in this research stage. Buyers want the truth.&nbsp;For franchisors, this means your content strategy must pivot. It is no longer enough to post stock photos of happy business owners. You must document the journey, showing the behind-the-scenes reality that proves your concept has staying power.<h2>The Pivot From Print to Digital Interactivity</h2>While print media has been a channel for franchise development in the past, its static nature has made it less effective as the buyer’s journey has shifted to digital. Buyers are generally looking for channels that will allow them to click, read and continue the search immediately.“Traditional print media has largely become a thing of the past for franchise development,” Snyder said. “What has been encouraging, though, is seeing many of these publications successfully pivot to digital formats that offer greater interactivity, stronger analytics and far better linkability than print ever could.”This creates a more dynamic experience for the candidate. In addition to a digital article, franchisors can embed a “day in the life” video, for example, or hyperlink a deeper dive on costs and profits for instant validation.This shift also allows franchisors to track return on investment more effectively. Instead of guessing if an article or ad worked, digital publications allow you to see exactly who clicked through, allowing for retargeting and smarter budget allocation.<h2>The Conversion Hub: Your Mobile-First Website</h2>Once a candidate has discovered you on Google, watched your videos on TikTok and read about you in a digital publication, they finally arrive at the destination: your franchise development website.This is the bottom of the funnel, where you will win or lose a candidate. Because all other channels point here, your website cannot just be a digital brochure. It has to be a conversion engine. And crucially, it must work perfectly on a smartphone.The question can’t just be “Do we have a website?” Questions about the website should surround usability and readability. Is navigation easy on a smartphone? Does the site load quickly? Is it readable? If a prospect has to pinch-and-zoom to read your investment costs and financial performance, they will leave.An optimized, mobile-first presence is critical because it serves as the collection point; all other awareness efforts funnel potential franchisees to the site. The user experience here should validate the trust built on other channels. However, accessibility is only half the battle; the content itself must be unsparingly open. The website is the channel where you must prove your value proposition with hard data.“Across all channels, the messaging needs to be clear, concise and consistent,” Snyder said. “Candidates should be able to easily find transparent investment ranges and financial requirements, a clear value proposition, compelling franchisee success stories, key differentiators from competitors and straightforward next steps for how to inquire.”When you treat your website as a transparency engine rather than a gatekeeper, you change the dynamic of the eventual sales call. A candidate who has already consumed your financial data and success stories arrives at the inquiry stage educated and qualified. This allows the development team to skip the basic fact-finding and move straight to strategy and fit.“When a candidate submits an inquiry, the first conversation should build on what the candidate has already learned,” Snyder said “ensuring they understand the opportunity they are considering, clarifying details, personalizing the discussion to their goals and moving them into a structured education process rather than starting from scratch.”<h2>Allocating the Budget: The "Ideal Candidate" Approach</h2>While a presence across multiple channels — from search and social to digital publications — is key, understanding exactly how much to invest in each option is the next hurdle. There is no single, magical approach to budgeting; a brand selling multi-million-dollar franchises needs to develop a presence in different places than a low-cost, mobile franchise will.To spend effectively, you must deeply understand your ideal franchisee profile. Once you know who is investing, you can begin working on where to find them. For example, a high-net-worth investor might be on LinkedIn and reading digital trade journals, while a first-time investor or someone seeking an owner-operator model might be influenced by local Facebook ads.“Franchisors should start by understanding their ideal franchisee profile and then allocate budget toward the channels where those prospects spend the most time,” Snyder said. “The mix will naturally look different for a high-investment, multi-unit candidate than for a first-time owner-operator. Beyond that, it’s critical to consider overall brand awareness and invest in channels that consistently get both the brand and the franchise opportunity in front of qualified prospects. A balanced approach that supports both awareness and lead capture tends to produce the strongest results.”<h2>Key Takeaways and Next Steps:</h2>Make sure you have a content footprint that answers the top 25 questions asked about your brand in Ai and Google searchs.Review your mobile experience: Open your franchise development site on your phone. If it takes more than three seconds to load or if the "Apply" button is hard to find, fix it immediately.Embrace "lo-fi" video content: You don't need a production crew. Use a smartphone to record "day in the life" videos with your franchisees and post them to social to build authentic trust.Ensure transparency and continuity:&nbsp;Candidates need to be able to find the information they’re looking for, and the experience should be consistent between a social page and a franchise development site. Make sure your value proposition is clear across all channels.Embrace innovation, but don’t count out the classics:&nbsp;Look at the whole picture. Many candidates are exploring opportunities on supplemental platforms like social media or in the results of a Google search, but they’re still looking at the franchise development site, too. Don’t confine yourself to the “old reliable” methods, but don’t leave them behind, either.Budget by persona, not platform: Don't just "do Facebook ads." Define exactly who your buyer is, and spend your money only on the channels where that specific person consumes content.For more information on franchise growth channels, check out these related stories on 1851 Franchise:<ul><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-to-use-social-media-marketing-to-promote-your-franchise-2727185#stories">How To Use Social Media Marketing To Promote Your Franchise</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/building-a-franchise-website-that-converts-key-features-and-best-practices-2727363#stories">Building a Franchise Website That Converts: Key Features and Best Practices</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlfduHqGy7I">How to Sell Franchises | The Buyer Persona</a></li></ul>

To succeed in the shifting landscape, franchisors must understand the buyer’s journey, identify the ideal franchisee profile, and build a digital presence that meets candidates where they are.

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