US Industry Hub

Chicken Franchises

Chicken franchises range from drive-thru-led quick-service operations to sit-down concepts built around buckets and tenders. That operating model shapes the build-out budget and the equipment the kitchen needs. Every number here comes directly from the brand’s Franchise Disclosure Document: Item 5 lists the franchise fee, Item 7 gives the investment range, and Item 20 shows the number of locations currently open. Check the figures before listening to the pitch.

What a chicken franchise actually costs
$310,400entry floor$1,202,400median$4,155,000top of range
9 of 9 brands publish an Item 7 range $793,750–$1,460,000 is the middle half 7 of 9 file Item 19 earnings

Each dot is one brand's minimum total investment (FDD Item 7). An entry-cost distribution only — not a promise of return.

9 Chicken brands, ranked by entry cost
1WingstopFPRChicken Wings QSR $310,400–$1,048,500 $25,000 6% 2,529+
2Chicken Salad ChickFPRChicken Salad QSR $777,000–$1,033,500 $50,000 5% 252+
3El Pollo LocoNO FPRMexican Fire-Grilled QSR $793,750–$2,685,500 $40,000 5% 328+
4Dave's Hot ChickenFPRHot Chicken QSR $823,800–$4,121,900 $40,000 6% 348+
5Church's Texas ChickenNO FPRFried Chicken QSR $1,202,400–$1,886,300 $20,000 5% 722+
6PopeyesFPRFried Chicken / QSR $1,222,045–$3,923,245 $50,000 5% 3,134+
7Zaxby'sFPRChicken / QSR $1,460,000–$3,810,500 $35,000 6% 865+
8KFCFPRFried Chicken QSR $2,107,575–$4,155,000 $45,000 4.5% 3,404+
9BojanglesFPRFried Chicken QSR $2,851,880–$3,951,200 $35,000 4% 591+

Bar shows each brand's Item 7 range across the $310,400–$4,155,000 span of this category; the lighter block behind it is the middle half of the category (25th–75th percentile). Ranked by lowest entry cost.

Head-to-head inside this category
KFC vs Church's Texas Chicken KFC vs Bojangles Church's Texas Chicken vs Bojangles
Brands in this industry that do NOT franchise

These are run only through corporate-owned or licensed outlets, so individuals cannot submit a franchise application.

Chick-fil-A does not franchiseRaising Cane's does not franchise
Related US industry hubs
Burgers & Drive-ThruMexican Fast-Casual
Straight answers
How much does a chicken franchise cost?

Across the 9 chicken brands FRANticc tracks in the US with a disclosed investment range, entry cost runs from $310,400 (Wingstop) to $2,851,880 (Bojangles), per each brand's FDD Item 7.

Which is the cheapest chicken franchise?

Wingstop has the lowest disclosed minimum investment on this page at $310,400 (FDD Item 7). That is a starting figure, not the total cost of getting to opening day — franchise fee, working capital and any real estate are on top where applicable.

How much do chicken franchise owners make?

Financial Performance Representations (FDD Item 19) are optional under FTC franchise rules, so not every brand publishes one. 7 of 9 brands on this page disclose earnings data in their current FDD; check the individual brand page for what each one discloses. FRANticc does not estimate or promise returns — only figures a brand has itself put in writing.

Can I get SBA financing for a chicken franchise?

Many brands in this category are listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, which is what SBA 7(a) lenders check first — but directory listing and loan approval are two different things, and approval also depends on the individual applicant's credit and collateral. Confirm current SBA status directly with the brand and with an SBA-approved lender; FRANticc does not verify per-brand SBA eligibility.

Every figure above is from the brand's current Franchise Disclosure Document (Items 5, 6, 7, 20) on file with FRANticc, US-scoped (country_code=US) — no India data mixed in.
If any figure is incorrect, write to [email protected]