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Chuck's Hot Chicken

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Chicken

Chuck's Hot Chicken

Chuck's Hot Chicken Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Chuck's Hot Chicken is a quick-service restaurant franchise specializing in Nashville-style hot chicken. It offers a menu centered around spicy fried chicken, catering to customers seeking bold flavors.

Chuck's Hot Chicken is a rapidly growing fast-casual restaurant franchise specializing in Nashville-style hot chicken. Founded in 2022, the brand has quickly gained popularity for its bold chicken dishes, offering a range of heat levels to suit all tastes.

The company is headquartered in Maryland Heights, Missouri, and began franchising in 2021. Since then, it has expanded with multiple locations across Missouri and Kansas.

Chuck's Hot Chicken serves a flavorful menu featuring hand-breaded chicken sandwiches, strips, and wings. Each item is cooked fresh and paired with signature sauces and classic sides.

Customers can choose from different spice levels, ranging from mild to extremely hot. This customization enhances the experience and attracts a broad customer base.

The brand sets itself apart by focusing on authentic flavor, high-quality ingredients, and friendly service. Chuck’s uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients to ensure consistent quality. The vibrant, welcoming atmosphere at each location adds to its appeal.

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 $30,000
Your Training Expenses $3,000 - $10,000
Premises Deposits $3,500 - $6,500
Professional Design $12,000 - $16,000
Leasehold Improvements $200,000 - $400,000
Signage $40,000 - $50,000
Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment $150,000 - $200,000
Computer Systems $1,500 - $3,000
Initial Inventory $10,000 - $15,000
Grand Opening Marketing $5,000 - $10,000
Professional Fees $2,500 - $5,000
Licenses and Permits $2,500 - $5,000
Insurance $3,200 - $8,000
Additional Funds – 3 months $15,000 - $75,000
TOTAL $478,200 - $833,500
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $30,000
Your Training Expenses $3,000 - $10,000
Premises Deposits $3,500 - $6,500
Professional Design $12,000 - $16,000
Leasehold Improvements $200,000 - $400,000
Signage $40,000 - $50,000
Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment $150,000 - $200,000
Computer Systems $1,500 - $3,000
Initial Inventory $10,000 - $15,000
Grand Opening Marketing $5,000 - $10,000
Professional Fees $2,500 - $5,000
Licenses and Permits $2,500 - $5,000
Insurance $3,200 - $8,000
Additional Funds – 3 months $15,000 - $75,000
TOTAL $478,200 - $833,500

Chuck's Hot Chicken

2024

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

Chuck's Hot Chicken offers a comprehensive training program to prepare franchisees and their teams for successful operation. The key training components are:

  1. Initial Training Program
    Franchisees and their general manager must complete the Initial Training Program to the Franchisor’s satisfaction before opening. This training takes place at the corporate headquarters or a designated outlet and is free for up to two participants, although travel and personal expenses are the franchisee’s responsibility. If the training is not completed satisfactorily, the Franchisor may terminate the agreement.
  2. Onsite Opening Assistance
    A trained representative provides on-site support at the franchise location for up to one week before opening. This assistance covers training, supervision, and operational guidance to ensure a smooth launch. The franchisee must cover travel and lodging costs for the trainer.
  3. Additional and Refresher Training
    The Franchisor may mandate or offer optional training sessions, including annual conventions or national meetings. These can last up to ten days per year, and franchisees must cover any tuition and associated travel costs. Attendance at required sessions is mandatory, and failure to comply may be considered a material default.

Territory Protection

Chuck’s Hot Chicken provides franchisees with a defined but limited protected territory. This territory is specified in the franchise agreement and is often based on geographic factors like zip codes or local demographics.

Within this area, the Franchisor agrees not to establish another dedicated Chuck’s Hot Chicken outlet, provided the franchisee is in good standing. However, the territory is not exclusive. Franchisees may still face competition from other outlets owned or licensed by the Franchisor outside the designated area.

Additionally, Chuck’s Hot Chicken reserves the right to sell its products through alternative distribution channels, including internet sales, grocery stores, kiosks, and other non-traditional venues, even within a franchisee’s territory.

Competitors

Below are some of

Chuck's Hot Chicken

key competitors in the

Chicken

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Sign up
Gross Profit
Sign up
EBITDA
Sign up

2

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$30,000

$478,000

$834,000

n.a.

$1,073,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Nashville Hot Chicken

Nashville Hot Chicken is a fast-casual fried chicken franchise offering spicy chicken sandwiches, tenders, and fries, serving guests seeking bold Southern flavors, and known for proprietary sauces, flexible restaurant, food-truck, and ghost-kitchen models, and streamlined operations designed for rapid expansion.

Franchisees

?

9
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$237,000 - $482,000

Starbird

Starbird is a fast-casual chicken restaurant franchise offering crispy chicken sandwiches, tenders, salads, and digital-forward ordering, serving convenience-driven diners, and known for super-premium fast food positioning, tech-driven guest experience, and craveable feel-good chicken focused on quality ingredients.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$843,000 - $2,027,000

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

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