Chick-fil-a Franchise
As the #1 chicken franchise in town, Chick-fil-A is famous for its waffle-cut fries and signature chicken sandwiches with pickles.
$99,500
$10,000
3,109
1987
Atlanta,GA
Dan T. Cathy
About Chick-fil-a
Chick-fil-A locations are popping up around the country, and with them, the chain’s iconic spicy chicken sandwiches with pickles. Each sandwich uses fresh chicken breast that’s breaded by hand and cooked in a pressure cooker until moist and golden. The boneless chicken breast is placed on a toasted bun, layered with dill chips and often served with crispy waffle fries.
Even the lemonade is made using only fresh lemon juice, pure cane sugar and water. This focus on high-quality ingredients and handmade sandwiches has led to increasing popularity for the brand across the country. Chick-fil-A locations prioritize a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere and excellent service, giving the chain a kind of cult status among Millennials.
Franchise Unit Trends & Revenue
3,109
261
$8,919,015
* in 2024
Franchise Fees
$10,000
0.0%
0.0%
Gross Receipts
Why Choose Chick-fil-a?
There are several factors that make owning a Chick-fil-A location attractive. In fact, the franchise is one of the fastest growing chains in the U.S., quickly becoming a household name across the continental U.S. and Canada.
First, opening a Chick-fil-A franchise is very accessible financially, even if potential owners don’t have hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings. For the most part, franchisees need $10,000 for the franchise fees and additional funds for computer systems. Chick-fil-A handles costs related to everything from construction to restaurant equipment. In exchange, owners pay Chick-fil-A 15% of sales plus 50% of pretax profit remaining.
The brand’s massive financial success is another benefit for people looking to enter the QSR industry. In 2018, Chick-fil-A enjoyed over $10 billion in sales, featuring higher single-restaurant sales than any other chain in the U.S. It’s now the fifth-largest restaurant chain the country.
Starting Costs & Investment Requirements
$99,500 - $1,252,000
-
$99,500
Training & Support
Training consists of two days of Licensee Orientation training and approximately two weeks of Licensee Operational Training. Both courses feature classroom and hands-on instruction at Chick-fil-A corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
History
From the start, Chick-fil-A was based on family. S. Truett Cathy, the brand’s founder, was a philanthropist, entrepreneur and family man. He opened his first restaurant, called the Dwarf Grill, in 1946. In 1964, he founded the Chick-fil-A brand name and the very first location opened in Atlanta in 1967. Truett Cathy had firm values in the way he ran Chick-fil-A until he passed away in 2014, even closing on Sundays.
Treating customers right and taking care of local communities were so important to Mr. Cathy than he made his children promise to never trade shares publicly so they could follow these principles. Under the leadership of Don Cathy, S. Truett Cathy’s son, Chick-fil-A has grown to over 2,000 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada and has become the biggest chicken QSR restaurant in the country.
Ideal Candidate
People interested in opening a Chick-fil-A franchise should know that the company takes the franchisee selection process very seriously. Chick-fil-A vets potential owners according to financial, business and personal qualifications. Having a sizeable bank account isn’t required, but franchisees should have financial records that show smart money management.
Above all, owners are expected to display dedication, professionalism and passion for the business. Chick-fil-A franchisees are not allowed to run multiple locations simultaneously, and they can’t have any other business ventures going on at the same time. In other words, the brand looks for owners that can devote 100% of their entrepreneurial skills to the restaurant.
Franchisees aren’t expected to have prior ownership experience or work in Chick-fil-A restaurants beforehand. However, their work history has to show great leadership skills. Owners need the drive to grow their location’s popularity with great ideas.
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