Franchise Deep Dive: Chester's Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

LAST UPDATED: July 26, 2023
FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://www.chesterschicken.com/franchise-with-us
NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 1,200
REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $15,950 to $288,118
REPORTED ROI (Item 19): N/A

Chester’s Chicken is a quick-serve restaurant concept that specializes in chicken tenders and sandwiches, biscuits, sides, sauces and desserts. The brand was established in 1952 by W.O. Giles in Montgomery, Alabama. Initially starting with donut frying, Giles later transitioned to frying chicken, and Chester’s was born.

The brand, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, prides itself on serving fresh and high-quality chicken. What sets it apart is its approach to operating in non-traditional locations such as convenience stores, truck stops and supermarkets.

How Many Chester’s Locations Are There?

As of July 2023, there are roughly 1,200 active Chester’s locations across the United States and Canada.

The brand is actively seeking new partners to help expand the franchise’s presence in states such as Texas, Florida, California and the Carolinas, and is targeting colleges, airports and stadiums.

What Is Chester’s Business Model?

Chester’s business model is centered around delivering a standout dining experience to customers through its commitment to fresh, never-frozen chicken, in the most convenient way possible. As the brand’s strategy is to serve food in non-traditional locations, the franchise believes it is able to reach a broader customer base.

“By comparison to other products in c-stores and supermarkets, ours really stands out, and that makes Chester’s a destination,” said William Culpepper, the vice president of marketing, in an interview with QSR Magazine.

Another appeal to operating a Chester’s franchise is the absence of royalty fees. The brand does not require its franchisees to pay ongoing royalty fees, and instead, Chester’s acts as a wholesaler of goods to each of its units.

For prospective franchisees, Chester’s claims to provide top-notch operational support and excellent products. Recently, it underwent a complete brand redesign, which it believes has contributed to increased foot traffic and store-level profits.

How Much Can Chester’s Chicken Franchise Owners Make?

Chester’s Chicken does not have a publicly available Item 19. To learn more, contact the team about reading the Franchise Disclosure Document, which will state the total earnings of any company or franchise-owned unit as a reference.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Chester’s Chicken Franchise?

Chester’s Chicken does not make its initial investment information or franchise fees readily available to the public. Interested parties are asked to contact the franchise for additional information. However, third-party sources report that the cost to open a Chester’s Chicken location can range anywhere from $15,950 to $288,118.

QSR Magazine also notes that franchisees can open stores for as little as $40K.

Who’s On Chester’s Leadership Team?

• Ted W. Giles, CEO
• Anderson Chand, Executive Vice President
• William Culpepper, Vice President of Marketing

What Helpful Articles Can I Read to Learn More About Chester’s Chicken?

• Chester’s Chicken undergoes redesign, focuses on fresh
• The 1,200-unit Royalty-Free Brand
• Chester’s Ranks #203 in the Top 500 Franchises by Franchise Times Magazine
• Why a Fried Chicken QSR is Right for Convenience-Store Franchisees

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