Chick-Fil-A Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Chick-Fil-A is a fast-food franchise known for its chicken sandwiches, nuggets, and waffle fries.

Chick-fil-A is a notable player in the fast-food sector, best known for its iconic chicken sandwich. The company was founded by S. Truett Cathy, who launched the first restaurant in Hapeville, Georgia, in 1946. A distinctive feature of Chick-fil-A is its practice of closing on Sundays, a policy instituted by Cathy to give employees time for rest, family, and worship, underscoring the company's commitment to work-life balance and its values.

Chick-fil-A entered the franchising arena in 1967 with its inaugural outlet in the food court of Greenbriar Mall in Atlanta, Georgia. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the brand is recognized for its exceptional customer service and unique menu. Beyond the signature chicken sandwich, the menu includes waffle potato fries, salads, and a variety of sides and beverages, appealing to diverse tastes.

The company’s focus on high-quality ingredients and fresh food preparation has cemented its reputation for excellent food and service. Innovation is central to Chick-fil-A’s success, from the invention of the original chicken sandwich to the design of its restaurants and customer service initiatives like upstream ordering.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $10,000
Opening Inventory $22,000 to $84,000
First Month’s Rental of Equipment $750 to $5,000
First Month’s Lease/Sublease of Premises $2,725 to $96,285
First Month’s Insurance Expense $260 to $10,240
Additional Funds $391,000 to $2,134,000
Total Estimate of Initial Investment $426,735 to $2,339,525
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $10,000
Opening Inventory $22,000 to $84,000
First Month’s Rental of Equipment $750 to $5,000
First Month’s Lease/Sublease of Premises $2,725 to $96,285
First Month’s Insurance Expense $260 to $10,240
Additional Funds $391,000 to $2,134,000
Total Estimate of Initial Investment $426,735 to $2,339,525

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training 

Chick-fil-A provides comprehensive training for its franchisees, conducted by its professional training team. The program covers a wide range of topics, including orientation to Chick-fil-A's business model, ServSafe® certification, People Strategy, Brand, Marketing & Public Relations, and Menu Education.

Training comprises both classroom sessions at Chick-fil-A’s corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, and hands-on training at company-operated and franchised restaurants.

Franchisees must also ensure that any managerial staff they hire receive proper training to assist in running their Chick-fil-A restaurant. For this purpose, they can utilize Chick-fil-A’s proprietary operations and training manuals and materials.

Territory Protection

Franchisees are granted the right to operate a Chick-fil-A restaurant at a specific location designated by the company. This right is confined to the franchised business location and any additional locations specified under an Additional Business Amendment to the Franchise Agreement.

If Chick-fil-A provides an opportunity to operate a food truck as an extension of the restaurant, the food truck can only operate at locations that are registered and approved by Chick-fil-A.

This means that while franchisees have a specific location to run their business, they do not have exclusive rights to a broader territory, and their operations are restricted to the designated and approved sites.

Competitors

Below are some of

Chick-Fil-A

key competitors in the

Chicken

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
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Gross Profit
Upgrade
EBITDA
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2629

New
+
12%
12%

$10,000

$427,000

$2,340,000

n.a.

$8,742,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Wingers Restaurant & Alehouse

Wingers Restaurant & Alehouse is a sports-bar franchise offering wings, burgers, craft beer and live game broadcasts, serving sports fans and groups, and known for high-energy environment, full-menu variety and strong franchise support.

Franchisees

?

14
+
-7%
-7%
Investment

?

$399,000 - $1,499,000

Hot Chikn Kitchn

Hot Chikn Kitchn is a fast-casual franchise offering elevated chicken sandwiches, tenders and comfort sides, serving millennials and lunch-dinner diners, and known for chef-driven taste, quality ingredients and modern franchise model.

Franchisees

?

5
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$206,000 - $688,000

Duff's Famous Wings

Duff's Famous Wings is a casual restaurant franchise offering Buffalo-style wings, sauces, and pub fare, serving sports fans and families, and known for authentic heat levels, hometown heritage, and a lively, welcoming environment.

Franchisees

?

2
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$535,000 - $1,155,000

Champs Chicken

Champs Chicken is a hot food franchise offering fried chicken, tenders, sides, and sauces, serving convenience stores and quick-serve customers, and known for turnkey programs, branded merchandising, and consistent, craveable comfort food.

Franchisees

?

415
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$9,000 - $349,000

Cowboy Chicken

Cowboy Chicken is a fast-casual franchise offering wood-fire rotisserie chicken, hearty sides, and salads, serving families and takeout guests, and known for mesquite flavor, wholesome meals, and a warm, rustic dining atmosphere.

Franchisees

?

11
+
10%
10%
Investment

?

$582,000 - $1,422,000

POLLO CAMPERO

POLLO CAMPERO is a fast-casual restaurant franchise offering Latin-style grilled and fried chicken meals with sides and wraps, serving families and quick-service diners, and known for its Cuban heritage, fresh ingredients, and bold flavors.

Franchisees

?

15
+
-12%
-12%
Investment

?

$1,455,000 - $3,751,000