Comparing Franchise Brands In The Chicken Industry

When it comes to fast food, chicken rules the roost — but how do prospective franchisees know what company is right for their next entrepreneurial undertaking, and what goes into determining whether a given brand is a good fit financially?

Below are 10 leading franchises in the chicken industry, from quick-service restaurants to fast casual establishments. Whether you’re looking to open a new location of a budding mom-and-pop franchise or buy into a business with thousands of locations and a long-standing reputation, this list will give you a good idea of where to start.

Wing Zone

Locations: 80

Item 7: $277,903 to $408,903

Item 19: Average unit volume of $744,000 (2017)

With approximately 80 locations worldwide, Wing Zone is seeing steady growth and even has locations and international franchise opportunities in Guatemala, Malaysia, Panama, the Philippines and Singapore. Started in 1991 by a pair of college roommates making wings out of their fraternity house kitchen at the University of Florida, the brand has evolved into a global franchise. Wing Zone also boasts a small footprint and low labor costs.

Buffalo Wings and Rings*

Locations: 65-plus

Item 7: $1,932,500 to $2,407,000

Item 19: Average gross sales for $2,769,615 for top quartile of franchisees

This isn’t your typical wing spot. Buffalo Wings and Rings is growing more and more every year, with a 12.5% annual average growth for nine years. The business was started as an alternative to traditional sports bars, and offers the simplicity of fast-casual with the revenue of casual dining. Started in Ohio, this franchise is steadily expanding across the U.S. as the demand for dining options with a chef-driven menu and a family-friendly sports bar atmosphere grows.

Slim Chickens

Locations: 82

Item 7: $915,000 to $1,459,000

Item 19: Average unit volume of $1.35 million (2016)

With roots in the deep South, this restaurant offers an authentic fried chicken experience in a quick-service atmosphere. Slim Chickens emphasizes a unique and welcoming environment that sets them apart from other quick-service restaurants while making chicken fresh to order. They also encourage franchisees to use their business as a portal for community involvement and development. While the buy-in fee for this growing business is slightly higher than comparable restaurants, the potential returns are high as well; in Technomic’s ranking of the top 500 restaurant chains in the U.S., revenue at Slim Chickens spiked 46% in 2017.

Chick-fil-A

Locations: 2,200-plus

Item 7: $10,000 franchise fee and doesn't require candidates to meet a threshold for net worth or liquid assets

Item 19: Average annual revenue of $4.1 million

Chick-fil-A has a relatively low initial overhead for a franchisee to own a franchise, but the competition to do is intense. With only $10,000, a franchisee can buy into the business while all startup costs including equipment and construction are leased to the franchisees for an ongoing fee equal to 15% of sales, plus 50% of pretax profit remaining. While startup fees are low, ongoing fees such as service fees and rent trend much higher than most competitors. That being said, Chick-fil-A can be a huge moneymaker for potential franchisees, but the brand prohibits most owners from opening multiple units.

Wingstop

Locations: 1,200-plus

Item 7: $340,815 to $631,292

Item 19: Average unit volume of $1.1 million

Wingstop requires a minimum 3-unit investment for all franchisees, and while that may seem daunting to prospective franchise owners, Wingstop promises great financial returns due to low overhead, low labor costs and a limited menu. Franchisees must also have a minimum net worth of $1,200,000, of which $600,000 must be liquid. For someone looking own multiple units while working with an established, popular brand, Wingstop could be an excellent choice. The brand’s real estate footprint is also a plus; with 75% of sales being off-premise, restaurants thrive in 1,350 to 1,800 square feet of space.

El Pollo Loco

Locations: 500

Item 7: $502,000 to $1,100,000

Item 19: Average sales per unit of $1.85 million (2017)

El Pollo Loco prides itself on being a healthier alternative to fast food in a quick-service restaurant environment, offering chicken that is marinated and fire-grilled rather than fried. They require franchisees to have a net worth of $1.5 million, with $250,000 in liquid capital. Currently, El Pollo Loco only exists in the southern and southwestern U.S., but has hundreds of locations in California alone.

Zaxby’s

Location: 900-plus

Item 7: $367,700 to $742,500

Item 19:  Average unit volume of $2.17 million

Zaxby’s was ranked No. 9 in Forbes’ America’s Best Restaurants To Buy in 2018. This list was comprised based on the following factors: system sustainability, system demand, value for investment, franchisor support and franchisor stability. Started with only a handful of locations around Georgia, Zaxby’s has experienced huge growth throughout the Southeastern U.S. for its signature fried chicken.

Bojangles

Locations: 759

Item 7: $357,733 to $636,580

Item 19:  Average unit volume of $1.8 million (2017)

Bojangles comes in at No. 25 on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, and are seeking to expand even more across the American south. This coveted southern favorite comes from humble beginnings in North Carolina. The brand is now an iconic example of quick-service southern food. Markets for franchisees are currently only available in the South and Northeast, Bojangles hopes to expand west in the future. As of 2019, they are celebrating 42 years in business.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Locations: 1,200

Item 7: $1,443,700 to $3,589,700

Item 19: Average unit volume of $3.27 million

To get a piece of this popular chain, franchisees are required to possess $750,000 in liquid capital and a net worth of $1,500,000. The buy-ins for a Buffalo Wild Wings are higher than most of the other options on this list, but the profitability of this fast-casual sports bar is huge. Buffalo Wild Wings also requires a minimum development of at least two restaurants, while for international candidates the minimum is ten. Despite the high unit commitment, the investment is worthwhile, the numbers reveal—Buffalo Wild Wings’ weekly average unit volume exceeds $45,000 for franchised locations.

Popeyes

Locations: ‎3,100

Item 7: $500,000 to $1,000,000

Item 19: Average unit volume of $1.4 million (2015)

Coming out in recent years as a fast food giant, potential Popeye’s owners are required to have $250,000 in liquid capital and a $500,000 net worth, as well as at least five years experience in owning or operating a restaurant. The spicy, Louisiana-style fried chicken chain offers products that are unique to the quick-service industry.