Chicken Salad Chick specializes in homemade chicken salad served as sandwiches, salads, and sides in various flavors.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
206
+
30%
30%
Franchise fee
?
$50,000
Investment
?
$777,000 - $1,030,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$1,462,000
+
7.4%
7.4%
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Chicken Salad Chick is a popular fast-casual restaurant chain that focuses on chicken salad. It was established in 2008 by Stacy and Kevin Brown in Auburn, Alabama. The idea came from Stacy Brown's homemade chicken salad, which she initially sold door-to-door.
However, due to health department regulations, the Browns decided to open a dedicated restaurant to continue their venture. The franchise rapidly expanded, with its headquarters now located in Atlanta, Georgia, highlighting its quick growth and Southern heritage.
Chicken Salad Chick started franchising in 2012, four years after its inception. Since then, it has grown significantly, providing various franchise models to accommodate different real estate opportunities in franchisees' areas.
The menu at Chicken Salad Chick offers a range of chicken salad flavors, served in various ways, including on bread, lettuce, or as a scoop with crackers. Besides its famous chicken salads, the restaurant also offers pimento cheese, egg salad, and a selection of side dishes and desserts.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Chicken Salad Chick franchise is
$777,000 - $1,030,000.
That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise.
These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchisee Fee
$50,000
Grand Opening Marketing Fee
$10,000
Rent (1 month) and Security Deposit
$6,000 - $11,000
Leasehold Improvements
$425,000 - $525,000
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
$175,000 - $225,000
Décor Package
$15,000 - $20,000
Branded Merchandise
$9,000 - $10,000
Inventory
$12,000 - $13,000
Signage
$12,000 - $25,000
Drive Thru Package
$25,000 - $35,000
Technology Equipment and Software
$25,000 - $35,000
Permits and Licenses
$500 - $2,500
Insurance (6 months)
$2,500 - $3,500
Training (transportation, lodging, etc. for 3 people)
$5,000 - $9,000
Other Deposits and Prepaid Expenses
$0 - $5,500
Professional Fees
$10,000 - $20,000
Additional Funds—3 months
$20,000 - $30,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment (Non-Drive-Thru)
$777,000 - $994,500
Total Estimated Initial Investment (Drive-Thru Only)
$802,000 - $1,029,500
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Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchisee Fee
$50,000
Grand Opening Marketing Fee
$10,000
Rent (1 month) and Security Deposit
$6,000 - $11,000
Leasehold Improvements
$425,000 - $525,000
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
$175,000 - $225,000
Décor Package
$15,000 - $20,000
Branded Merchandise
$9,000 - $10,000
Inventory
$12,000 - $13,000
Signage
$12,000 - $25,000
Drive Thru Package
$25,000 - $35,000
Technology Equipment and Software
$25,000 - $35,000
Permits and Licenses
$500 - $2,500
Insurance (6 months)
$2,500 - $3,500
Training (transportation, lodging, etc. for 3 people)
$5,000 - $9,000
Other Deposits and Prepaid Expenses
$0 - $5,500
Professional Fees
$10,000 - $20,000
Additional Funds—3 months
$20,000 - $30,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment (Non-Drive-Thru)
$777,000 - $994,500
Total Estimated Initial Investment (Drive-Thru Only)
$802,000 - $1,029,500
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Chicken Salad Chick's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Chicken Salad Chick had 288 total units in 2025, of which 206 were franchised-owned and 82 company-owned.
To ensure their franchisees thrive, Chicken Salad Chick provides an extensive training program. This program is not only designed to maintain the brand's reputation but also to arm franchisees with the essential skills and knowledge to manage their restaurant effectively. The training covers:
Basic business procedures
Equipment operation and maintenance
Scheduling
Basic accounting principles
Computer operations
Advertising and promotion
Purchasing procedures
Food preparation, safety, presentation, and quality
Food and beverage inventory and cost control
Customer service
Janitorial service
General maintenance
Franchisees must attend and successfully complete this training program, which is scheduled to last a minimum of two weeks, before they can start their business operations.
Territory Protection
Franchisees of Chicken Salad Chick are not granted an exclusive territory. They have the right to own and operate a Chicken Salad Chick restaurant at a specific location and are prohibited from conducting their business at any other site.
The Franchise Agreement restricts franchisees from using other distribution channels, including the internet. Additionally, the agreement does not offer options, rights of first refusal, or similar rights to acquire additional franchises.
If a franchisee does not have a designated site for the restaurant at the time of signing the Franchise Agreement, they must find a site within a geographic area specified in the agreement, subject to the franchisor's approval.
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