Top 12 Emerging Chicken Franchises That Are About to Take Off

2019 was the year of the chicken sandwich, featuring Popeyes, Chick-fil-A, and other big-hitters in the chicken space facing off in what the media dubbed the Chicken Sandwich Wars. KFC reignited the wars in July of this year when the legacy bucket-of-chicken brand sent their own sandwich into the ring.

As the demand for delicious chicken menu options continues to drive the fast-food restaurant industry, potential franchisees who are looking to get in on the fun should check out these emerging chicken-focused franchises as they continue to grow.

Atomic Wings*

Units: 11

Atomic Wings is a New York City-grown wing spot that is known by its fans for its array of fourteen flavorful sauces, as well as its antibiotic- and hormone-free chicken. CEO Zak Omar has grown the franchise from a few locations across the city to locations throughout the Northeast and beyond. The fun, hip chicken-wing chain is constantly innovating their menu and provides a lively atmosphere for all customers who walk through its doors.

Wings Over

Units: 40+

Founded in Amherst, Massachusetts, Wings Over is a wing-focused chain that prides itself on its variety of regular and boneless wings. The franchise also boasts a whopping 25 different sauces, including dry rubs, teriyaki varieties, different buffalo sauces and other heat-inspired favorites. They’ve been franchising since 2002 and continue to spread throughout the country.

Biscuitville

Units: 63

The North Carolina-based food chain prides itself on quality Southern home cooking at a good price. Though the brand serves an array of regionally inspired menu items, their staple items focus on fried chicken. What sets this franchise apart from other chicken establishments is the focus on breakfast meals. Biscuitville provides a relaxed, comforting atmosphere to enjoy a delicious meal.

Epic Wings

Units: 23

Southern California chain Epic Wings is an up-and-coming franchise that started out as the small Wings & Things Restaurant in San Diego. Since that first wing spot in 1982, the restaurant has grown and developed their menu, focusing on perfecting their buffalo sauce. Their wings are fresh and never frozen, and made with only the best ingredients. The brand has built a dedicated following in SoCal and is worth a look if you’re looking to franchise out West.

Buffalo Wings & Rings

Units: 80 

A classic buffalo wings-focused establishment, Buffalo Wings & Rings promises to deliver VIP service to all of its customers. The sports restaurant is fun for viewing any of your favorite teams and is also family-friendly. Buffalo Wings & Rings is dedicated to providing comfortable seating and high-quality food to its customers, serving fresh-never-frozen chicken wings. Their beer menu is with a nod as well.

Hurricane Grill & Chicken

Units: 55+

Hurricane Grill & Wings brings a taste of beach lifestyle to the table with a menu chock-full of delicious items. Their specialty, however, lies with their award-winning chicken wings. All food is quality sourced, and the bar-side atmosphere will have you feeling like you’re on vacation while you dine. The beer selections and upbeat environment keep patrons entertained and coming back for more.

East Coast Wings

Units: 36

Founded in 1995 in the town of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this small but fast-growing chicken wing franchise is running hot, quite literally. East Coast Wings + Grill is on a mission to prove that people can enjoy Buffalo-style wings with a heat index that spans seven levels. Their casual dining experience welcomes families in for a good meal, and the beer selection is hand-picked to pair with their wings. The franchise is expanding swiftly throughout the Southeast, so now is the perfect time to join.

WOW

Units: 45

WOW was founded in 2001 in Louisiana by Paul Ballard, who dreamed of providing people with a pleasant, casual dining experience. Together with his brothers, Steven & Scott, they developed the first WOW Café. Award-winning chef George Rhode IV and New Orleans-based Chef Paul Prudhomme helped develop unique recipes for the menu, and now customers come for the relaxed atmosphere and well thought out menu. The quickly growing franchise is hot to trot and worth digging into if you like a little Southern style in your dining experience.

Wings Etc.

Units: 55

The fast-growing franchise was first started in 1994 in South Bend, Indiana and has been growing in the Midwest over the past couple of years. The family-friendly sports bar is geared to keep things simple, from their atmosphere to their food, and stays true to their philosophy of “Good Food, Great Times.” The restaurant chain is continuing to build a fanbase with their wing recipes, and is worth considering if you’ve ever dreamed of owning a sports-casual restaurant.

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken

Units: 29

Built on a Tennessee family’s secret fried-chicken recipe, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken is an emerging franchise that offers quality chicken and decadent home-style sides. At any of its 29 locations, you can see folks lining up to get a taste. Family developed and run, the franchise gives customers a taste of home while providing a unique eating experience. Their popularity is seeing such great heights that they are not accepting any new applications for franchises right now, but when they have the capacity again, they will be well worth the investment.

The Hatchery

Units: 1

The Hatchery is a Tampa based franchise that knows how to make a mean chicken sandwich. The from-scratch chicken shop prides itself on being more than just a fast casual restaurant, and uses high quality white meat in every sandwich. The breading on their chicken is made perfectly with the right amount of spices, and they’ve also got the proper marinades to compliment their recipe. With only one unit so far, the franchise is the perfect opportunity to get in the chicken game with a great establishment while they are in their infancy.

Slim Chickens

Units: 100+

Slim Chickens is well known for their 100% all-natural tenders and delicious sides. Their tenders are diverse, while pairing well with waffles for a delicious rendition of the famous dish, but also taste great in one of their tasty wraps. And don’t forget about their 17 different flavors of dipping sauces — they’re perfect for anyone who loves mild to smokin hot wings. Opening in 2003, their first location was in Fayetteville, Arkansas and the chicken shop has only grown swiftly from there — locations ranging from across the U.S. to overseas in the U.K.