Open a Chick-fil-A franchise: Costs & process | Swoop US (2024)

FAQs

Open a Chick-fil-A franchise: Costs & process | Swoop US? ›

The franchisee only pays the $10k franchise fee. Chick-fil-A pays for (and retains ownership of) everything — real estate, equipment, inventory — and in return, it takes a MUCH bigger piece of the pie. While a franchise like KFC takes 5% of sales, Chick-fil-A commands 15% of sales + 50% of any profit.

The franchisee only pays the $10k franchise fee. Chick-fil-A pays for (and retains ownership of) everything — real estate, equipment, inventory — and in return, it takes a MUCH bigger piece of the pie. While a franchise like KFC takes 5% of sales, Chick-fil-A commands 15% of sales + 50% of any profit.

While operating a Chick-fil-A restaurant franchise costs a modest $10,000 initial financial commitment, it requires a holistic commitment to own and operate the business in a hands-on manner. To learn more about Franchise opportunities, requirements, cost and more, visit our Franchise page.

Chick-fil-A receives over 40,000 applicants each year. With a Chick-fil-A franchise fee of only $10,000; it initially seems like a great investment. But there are strict Chick-fil-A franchise requirements and a lengthy approval process, resulting in a less than one percent acceptance rate.

Less than 1% of people who apply to become a Chick-fil-A franchisee actually succeed. So, if you want a chance at being one of the few selected to franchise a Chick-fil-A, you need to be prepared. And that's what we're going to help you do in this blog post!

According to industry estimates, the failure rate for Chick-fil-A franchises is less than 5%, and over 96% of Chick-fil-A restaurants have been in business for more than 50 years.

Being a Chick-fil-A^® Franchisee is a life investment

While it is an exceedingly rewarding opportunity, it does require long hours and leading a team of mostly young, hourly-paid employees.

Can I sell my Chick-fil-A franchise? ›

On top of that, the franchise agreement is specific to the individual who passed the application process — the business can't be sold or passed on to other family members. So, if you intend to buy a franchise you can later sell, Chick-fil-A isn't for you.

Dan Cathy, whose net worth is $10.7 billion, remains board chairman of the chain. Born and raised in the South, the Cathy family has been dedicated to continuing Truett's legacy, growing Chick-fil-A across the US to 2,800 restaurants. In September 2023, the chain announced plans to expand to the UK.

Additionally, if you are considering opening a location, you are required to work 60-70 hours per week operating your restaurant. While Chick-Fil-A helps provide financial resources when first getting started it is important to remember the time commitment expected by owners once their location opens.

Chick-fil-A mandates its franchisees to be “hands-on” operators, meaning they oversee the daily operations of their restaurants without the burden of royalties or marketing fees to the parent company. This model enables Chick-fil-A to maintain competitive prices while passing on savings directly to customers.

What are the financial requirements to become a Chick-fil-A franchisee? To become a Chick-fil-A franchisee, the financial requirements are quite different from most other franchises: Net worth: Chick-fil-A does not have a formal net worth requirement for its franchisees.

The company has a strong track record of financial success, and it is known for its commitment to quality and customer service. This makes Chick-fil-A a safe investment for property owners, and it can help to increase the value of the property.