Chicken Salad Chick

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Chicken Salad Chick

Chicken Salad Chick Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Chicken Salad Chick specializes in homemade chicken salad served as sandwiches, salads, and sides in various flavors.

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. The chain is known for providing fresh, scratch-made, Southern-style favorites with a touch of hospitality, making customers feel as if they are dining at a friend's home.

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 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

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Competitors

Below are some of

Chicken Salad Chick

key competitors in the

Healthy

sector.

Started franchising
Franchisees

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Franchise fee

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Royalty fee

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Investment

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Revenue (AUV)

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Gross Profit

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EBITDA

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Home-based

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Passive investment

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FDD
Chicken Salad Chick
2012
206
+
30%
30%
$50,000
5.00%

$777,000

-

$1,030,000

n.a.

$1,462,000

Upgrade

67.5%

n.a.

Upgrade

8.4%

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
No
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No
2023
3
+
n.a.
n.a.
$25,000
5.00%

$252,000

-

$648,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$427,000

63.0%

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
Upgrade
Upgrade
2021
28
+
300%
300%
$60,000
7.00%

$238,000

-

$354,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$614,000

49.9%

n.a.

Upgrade

23.4%

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
Yes
Upgrade
Yes
2018
4
+
100%
100%
$45,000
6.00%

$588,000

-

$1,386,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$1,059,000

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
Yes
Upgrade
Yes
2015
22
+
10%
10%
$40,000
6.00%

$321,000

-

$572,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$624,000

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
No
Upgrade
No
2019
6
+
n.a.
n.a.
$30,000
5.50%

$90,000

-

$300,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$0

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
Yes
Upgrade
Yes
1998
83
+
6%
6%
$30,000
6.00%

$271,000

-

$632,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$539,000

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
Yes
Upgrade
Yes

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$49 / month
Total investment

?

Revenue (AUV)

?

Revenue growth (last 3 years)

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Profit margin

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Franchise Disclosure Documents
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Training 

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.

Number of units

2025
Franchised units

159

180

206

Company-owned units

66

75

82

Total units

225

255

288

Competitors

VARA Juice Restaurant

Franchisees

?

3
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$252,000 - $648,000

Project LeanNation

Franchisees

?

28
+
300%
300%
Investment

?

$238,000 - $354,000

fresh&co

Franchisees

?

4
+
100%
100%
Investment

?

$588,000 - $1,386,000

Kale Me Crazy

Franchisees

?

22
+
10%
10%
Investment

?

$321,000 - $572,000

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