5 Chicken Franchises We Love

The chicken segment has become an increasingly popular choice for fast-food consumers in recent years, thanks in large part to low prices and near-ubiquitous consumer appeal. And franchise brands have dominated the chicken market. In fact, the top eight chicken restaurant chains are nearly all franchises. 

If you are looking to get a piece of the action, here are five of our favorite chicken franchises for 2022.

Buffalo Wild Wings

• Startup costs: $2.5M–$4.6M
• Unit count: 560 

Buffalo Wild Wings, which bills itself as the “Great American Sports Bar,” is one of the largest sports bar brands in the U.S., according to the Technomic Top 500. The concept launched in 1982 as Buffalo Wild Wings & Weck, and it introduced wings with 21 seasonings and sauces to choose from while providing the perfect seat for sports fans in a neighborhood atmosphere. The concept has since seen tremendous growth, including steady new-unit growth for 16 consecutive years.

Wings and Rings*

• Startup costs: $1,280,000–$2,412,000 
• Unit count: 85+

Wings and Rings began in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1984 as a club-level sports restaurant and bar. With its chef-inspired recipes, wings and sandwiches, it’s become a go-to spot to connect with friends and family. With more than 85 units across the globe, Wings and Rings is aiming to change the sports restaurant category, making elevated food and beverage experiences accessible to all fans.

Church’s Chicken

• Startup costs: $676,500–$1,603,300 
• Unit count: 1,625

For almost 70 years, Church’s Chicken has been known for serving big portions and bold flavors. Since its first location in 1952 in San Antonio, Texas, Church’s has been known for its “down-home” recipes that give their customers a taste of the south.

Layne’s Chicken Fingers*

• Startup costs: $769,000–$1,320,000
• Unit count: 8

Layne’s Chicken Fingers opened its first location in 1994 in College Station, Texas, near Texas A&M University. The chicken franchise quickly became known for its friendly service, iconic chicken fingers and secret sauce. Now, the company is planning to bring Layne’s Soon to be Famous™ Chicken Fingers to the rest of the world by partnering with franchisees to open 100 new locations by the end of 2022.

Pollo Compero

• Startup costs: $750,000–$1,350,000
• Unit count: 350

Pollo Compero first opened in Guatemala in 1971 and quickly became a beloved Central American brand. Now, with more than 350 locations globally, the chicken franchise has been increasing its development efforts across the U.S. There are currently 77 locations across the country that have won the hearts of millions of Americans.