Urban Bird Hot Chicken grew its model through nearly 30 company-operated restaurants before franchising. That operating history gives prospective franchisees a clearer look at the brand’s startup costs, systems, product standards and reported unit-level performance. For operators comparing restaurant opportunities, the investment range is one of the first numbers to understand.
So, how much does it cost to get started with Urban Bird?
The initial investment required for an Urban Bird franchise ranges from $431,300 to $837,800 for a first-generation buildout, where the restaurant is built from scratch. The investment for a second-generation restaurant that converts an existing space ranges from $236,300 to $587,800.
This real estate flexibility gives operators more options when entering new markets and can help improve overall return on investment, depending on site selection.
Urban Bird’s 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Expenditure | First-Generation Buildout | Second-Generation Buildout |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $35,000 | $35,000 |
| Construction & Leasehold Improvements | $220,000 - $400,000 | $25,000 - $150,000 |
| Lease Deposits & Rent (3 Months) | $15,000 - $36,000 | $15,000 - $36,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment | $44,000 - $144,000 | $44,000 - $144,000 |
| Signage | $7,000 - $20,000 | $7,000 - $20,000 |
| Technology & POS Systems | $7,000 - $17,000 | $7,000 - $17,000 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $5,000 - $15,000 | $5,000 - $15,000 |
| Opening Inventory | $12,000 - $16,000 | $12,000 - $16,000 |
| Utility Deposits | $2,500 - $12,000 | $2,500 - $12,000 |
| Insurance (3 Months) | $1,800 - $3,800 | $1,800 - $3,800 |
| Training Travel Expenses | $3,000 - $10,000 | $3,000 - $10,000 |
| Professional Fees | $4,500 - $20,500 | $4,500 - $20,500 |
| Licenses & Permits | $4,500 - $8,500 | $4,500 - $8,500 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $70,000 - $100,000 | $70,000 - $100,000 |
One defining aspect of Urban Bird’s cost structure is that it has been shaped by founders who have spent decades in the franchisee seat.
“We spent years growing restaurants inside another franchise system, and that experience shapes everything we do today,” said co-founder Brandon Gawthorp. “When you’re responsible for the rent, payroll and performance of every store, you develop a very practical perspective about what a franchisor should be doing for its operators.”
Rather than franchising early, the brand built nearly 30 corporate locations, allowing the team to refine construction costs, operational workflows and equipment needs through real-world experience.
“When someone joins the Urban Bird system, they’re benefiting from everything we’ve learned along the way,” said co-founder Chantel Fiaschetti.
While startup costs are lower than many fast-casual concepts, Urban Bird still boasts strong revenue potential. According to the 2026 FDD, company-owned restaurants operating for the full year in 2025 reported average gross sales of $1,803,101, with a high of $3,784,619 and a low of $1,130,904.
Additionally, average direct gross profit reached $552,628, reflecting the impact of operational discipline and cost control at the store level.
“When you’ve operated restaurants for as long as we have, you know the numbers matter just as much as the food,” Fiaschetti said. “We’ve spent years studying the business from every angle — food costs, labor, vendors and real estate strategy — and making changes that make the model stronger.”
Urban Bird’s investment range is in line with many restaurant franchise opportunities while still supporting a full fast-casual buildout. The numbers are also grounded in a system the team has tested and adjusted through its own restaurants.
From construction efficiencies to menu design and throughput, the brand has focused on building a model that can perform consistently across locations.
Combined with strong unit-level sales, flexible real estate options and a disciplined approach to growth, Urban Bird positions itself as a franchise opportunity designed for operators looking to scale within the fast-growing chicken category.
To learn more about the Urban Bird Hot Chicken franchise opportunity, visit https://1851franchise.com/urban-bird-hot-chicken.
Urban Bird Hot Chicken
SPONSORED
The total investment to open an Urban Bird franchise ranges from $431,300 to $837,800 for a first-generation buildout and $236,300 to $587,800 for a second-generation buildout.
Urban Bird Hot Chicken grew its model through nearly 30 company-operated restaurants before franchising. That operating history gives prospective franchisees a clearer look at the brand’s startup costs, systems, product standards and reported unit-level performance. For operators comparing restaurant opportunities, the investment range is one of the first numbers to understand.
So, how much does it cost to get started with Urban Bird?
The initial investment required for an Urban Bird franchise ranges from $431,300 to $837,800 for a first-generation buildout, where the restaurant is built from scratch. The investment for a second-generation restaurant that converts an existing space ranges from $236,300 to $587,800.
This real estate flexibility gives operators more options when entering new markets and can help improve overall return on investment, depending on site selection.
Urban Bird’s 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Expenditure | First-Generation Buildout | Second-Generation Buildout |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $35,000 | $35,000 |
| Construction & Leasehold Improvements | $220,000 - $400,000 | $25,000 - $150,000 |
| Lease Deposits & Rent (3 Months) | $15,000 - $36,000 | $15,000 - $36,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment | $44,000 - $144,000 | $44,000 - $144,000 |
| Signage | $7,000 - $20,000 | $7,000 - $20,000 |
| Technology & POS Systems | $7,000 - $17,000 | $7,000 - $17,000 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $5,000 - $15,000 | $5,000 - $15,000 |
| Opening Inventory | $12,000 - $16,000 | $12,000 - $16,000 |
| Utility Deposits | $2,500 - $12,000 | $2,500 - $12,000 |
| Insurance (3 Months) | $1,800 - $3,800 | $1,800 - $3,800 |
| Training Travel Expenses | $3,000 - $10,000 | $3,000 - $10,000 |
| Professional Fees | $4,500 - $20,500 | $4,500 - $20,500 |
| Licenses & Permits | $4,500 - $8,500 | $4,500 - $8,500 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $70,000 - $100,000 | $70,000 - $100,000 |
One defining aspect of Urban Bird’s cost structure is that it has been shaped by founders who have spent decades in the franchisee seat.
“We spent years growing restaurants inside another franchise system, and that experience shapes everything we do today,” said co-founder Brandon Gawthorp. “When you’re responsible for the rent, payroll and performance of every store, you develop a very practical perspective about what a franchisor should be doing for its operators.”
Rather than franchising early, the brand built nearly 30 corporate locations, allowing the team to refine construction costs, operational workflows and equipment needs through real-world experience.
“When someone joins the Urban Bird system, they’re benefiting from everything we’ve learned along the way,” said co-founder Chantel Fiaschetti.
While startup costs are lower than many fast-casual concepts, Urban Bird still boasts strong revenue potential. According to the 2026 FDD, company-owned restaurants operating for the full year in 2025 reported average gross sales of $1,803,101, with a high of $3,784,619 and a low of $1,130,904.
Additionally, average direct gross profit reached $552,628, reflecting the impact of operational discipline and cost control at the store level.
“When you’ve operated restaurants for as long as we have, you know the numbers matter just as much as the food,” Fiaschetti said. “We’ve spent years studying the business from every angle — food costs, labor, vendors and real estate strategy — and making changes that make the model stronger.”
Urban Bird’s investment range is in line with many restaurant franchise opportunities while still supporting a full fast-casual buildout. The numbers are also grounded in a system the team has tested and adjusted through its own restaurants.
From construction efficiencies to menu design and throughput, the brand has focused on building a model that can perform consistently across locations.
Combined with strong unit-level sales, flexible real estate options and a disciplined approach to growth, Urban Bird positions itself as a franchise opportunity designed for operators looking to scale within the fast-growing chicken category.
To learn more about the Urban Bird Hot Chicken franchise opportunity, visit https://1851franchise.com/urban-bird-hot-chicken.
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