1851

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.

why-is-it-so-cheap-to-invest-in-a-chick-fil-a

SweatHouz

SweatHouz SWTHZ Franchise - Hunter and Mallory Mitchem - Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

From Aerospace to Wellness: Hunter Mitchem’s Journey to a SweatHouz Empire

sweathouz-franchise-hunter-mitchem-6g

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Onigilly - Low Operating Costs Drive High Returns for Franchisees - 1851 Franchise

Maximize Your ROI: How Onigilly’s Low Operating Costs Drive High Returns for Franchisees

onigilly-franchise-fast-casual-franchise-opportunity

Layne's Chicken Fingers

What Is the Layne’s Franchise Disclosure Document, and What Will I Find in It?

laynes-franchise-disclosure-document

Athletech News: How SWTHZ Delivers on Wellness Demands of All Kinds

swthz-delivers-wellness-demands-contrast-therapy

TruBlue Home Service Ally

Why Protected Territories Matter and How the TruBlue Franchise Delivers

why-protected-territories-matter-and-how-the-trublue-franchise-delivers

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

U.S. Government Shutdown - Impact on Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Government Shutdown Stalls SBA Loans: How the Shutdown Could Impact Franchises

government-shutdown-impacts-sba-loans-tourism-franchises

Subway Franchisees Resist Expensive Remodel Directives

subway-franchisees-resist-expensive-remodel-directives

The American Franchise Act: What It Means for Franchisors and Franchisees - 1851 Franchise

The American Franchise Act: What It Means for Franchisors and Franchisees

american-franchise-act-joint-employer-standard

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

image of mellow mushroom deep dive into financials article from 1851 franchise

Mellow Mushroom Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

mellow-mushroom-franchise-deep-dive

How goGLOW Turned Clean Beauty Into a Scalable Franchise and Why It’s Accelerating Now

goglow-clean-beauty-tanning-franchise

How Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop Has Expanded Into One of the Restaurant Industry’s Most Exciting Franchise Opportunities

meet-the-franchisor-capriottis-david-bloom

Top Education Franchises To Consider for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Education Franchises To Consider Investing In for 2025

top-education-franchises-investment-opportunities

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025

early-childhood-education-child-care-franchises

Top Arts and Creative Learning Franchises for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Arts and Creative Learning Franchises for 2025

top-arts-creative-learning-franchises

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

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

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS