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Chick-fil-A is one of the most sought-after concepts in the franchise space. The franchisor has certainly played into this demand with its exclusive but incredibly attractive franchise policies.Franchisees can invest for just $10,000, a fraction of the price tag that accompanies many other big-name quick service restaurant (QSR) concepts. This franchise fee and “<a href="https://www.chick-fil-a.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-is-it-so-cheap-to-invest-in-a-chick-fil-a-2721997" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">a holistic commitment to own and operate the business in a hands-on manner</a>” is all a prospective owner needs to commit. Chick-fil-A covers build-out costs, real estate and equipment.The catch is that this leaves the franchisees in more of an operator role than one of an owner. Chick-fil-A operators&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-does-a-chick-fil-a-franchise-cost-2715278#stories">pay 15% in royalties, and 50% of profits go to corporate</a>. Further, because the franchisee did not fund the build-out, they do not own the restaurant and therefore cannot sell it should they decide to transition out of the business.&nbsp;Clearly, though, these contingencies haven’t slowed down interested franchisees. Chick-fil-A receives tens of thousands of inquiries annually, and it tends to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/sky-high-expectations-chick-fil-as-franchise-process-and-where-to-look-if-you-arent-selected-2719367#stories">accept about 1%</a> of applicants.Do You Get What You Pay For?In the franchise world, a total initial investment of $10,000 is pretty low. Is the Chick-fil-A franchise a “get what you pay for” situation? Not really.Of course, some franchisees go into business with hopes of building up an empire and a strong business that can be passed down to family members. Though this isn’t the case with Chick-fil-A, as operators cannot sell their locations, direct ownership of a business certainly is not the only path to generational wealth.According to the brand’s most recent Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), its U.S. systemwide sales were&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/chick-fil-a-drive-thru-efficiency-boosts-customer-satisfaction-and-sales-2721926#featured">nearly $19 billion</a> in the previous year, a notable increase from 2021’s $16.6 billion, 2020’s $13.7 billion and 2019’s $12.2 billion.Chick-fil-A locations with a drive-thru averaged over $8.5 million in sales per unit, and the highest-performing location secured nearly $17 million in revenue. Yes, these stats are lowered significantly when the corporate cut is taken out, but a multi-million dollar operation is nothing to sneeze at.These revenue representations are reflective of so much more than just customers’ motivation to buy chicken. A Chick-fil-A franchisee’s initial investment brings them into the notorious network of business owners, and they unlock access to the appeal of the Chick-fil-A name. The customary “My pleasure,” freakishly efficient multi-lane drive-thrus, innovative marketing and core menu of chicken-based entrees all serve as key differentiators for the concept, drawing even more customers in.&nbsp;To access all of these well-established practices and its reputation, $10,000 may not seem too bad … even if you do have to fork over half of your profits. After all is said and done, it is reported that Chick-fil-A operators do take home a decent salary.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mashed.com/179233/how-much-chick-fil-a-franchise-owners-really-make-per-year/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-is-it-so-cheap-to-invest-in-a-chick-fil-a-2721997" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mashed</a> reports an average of around $200,000 annually, while reported salaries on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Chick-fil-A-Owner-Operator-Salaries-E5873_D_KO12,26.htm?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-is-it-so-cheap-to-invest-in-a-chick-fil-a-2721997#:~:text=Chick%2Dfil%2DA%20Salary%20FAQs&amp;text=The%20average%20salary%20for%20an,per%20year%20for%20this%20job." target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Glassdoor</a> average $82,065 annually, with the top of the range sitting at about $138,000. For owner-operators who have a true passion for people, service and even the brand itself, $10,000 can unlock an opportunity that is rewarding in more ways than one.

Why Is It So Cheap To Invest in a Chick-fil-A?

1851 Franchise

Chick-fil-A franchisees can invest as little as $10,000 to begin operations. The catch? You aren’t the sole owner.

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Voodoo Brewing Co.

Why I Bought: How Alex and Chrissy Bergren Turned Their Passion for Craft Beer Into a Thriving Voodoo Brewing Co. in Virginia Beach

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Beef 'O' Brady's

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Beef ‘O’ Brady’s and The Brass Tap Kick Off 2025 With Growth, Innovation and Record Sales for Q1

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Right at Home

Albano Mahilaj Turned Personal Challenges Into a Purpose-Driven Right at Home Franchise

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Layne's Chicken Fingers

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Layne’s Chicken Fingers to Expand in Mid-Atlantic, Bringing Its Soon to Be FamousTM Flavor to New Markets

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Why Is It So Cheap To Invest in a Chick-fil-A?

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