Best Chicken Franchises To Buy in 2021

Want to dive into business ownership in 2021? Go ahead and wing it. 

Thanks to an infamous chicken sandwich war started by Popeyes and to a booming fast casual dining industry sparked by COVID-19, chicken franchises are flourishing. Many franchise owners in the chicken section of the restaurant have seen significant growth, all thanks to popular demand for items like the chicken sandwich and increased business in drive-thru and carryout. That being said, not all chicken franchises are built the same — some are just better than others. 

Take a look at our top ten picks for the best chicken franchises in the industry right now. 

Wing Zone

• Startup costs: $750,000-$760,000
• Units: 80
• 1851 Brand Newsroom

Atomic Wings*

• Startup costs: $170,400-$377,355
• Units: 11
• 1851 Brand Newsroom

Buffalo Wings & Rings

• Startup costs: $1,280,000-$2,412,000
• Units: 56
• 1851 Brand Newsroom

Slim Chickens

• Startup costs: $841,900-$1,739,000
• Units: 69

Raising Cane’s Chicken Tenders

• Startup costs: $768,000-$1,938,000
• Units: 530

Chick-fil-a

• Startup costs: $10,000 (Franchise Fee)
• Units: 2,605

Popeyes

• Startup costs: $383,500-$2,620,800
• Units: 3,102

Zaxby’s

• Startup costs: $284,000-$664,300
• Units: 700

Wingstop

• Startup costs: $346,775-$733,249
• Units: 900

KFC

• Startup costs: $1,262,800-$2,543,000
• Units: 22,621