Church’s Chicken

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Church’s Chicken

Church’s Chicken Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Church's Chicken serves Southern-style fried chicken, biscuits, and homestyle sides.

Church’s Texas Chicken is a prominent quick-service chicken restaurant chain, originally founded in 1952 by George W. Church Sr. in San Antonio, Texas, right across the street from the historic Alamo.

The franchise, which started as a small operation serving only fried chicken, has grown significantly over the decades. Today, Church’s Texas Chicken is known for its hand-battered, double-breaded chicken, freshly baked Honey-Butter Biscuits™, and a variety of home-style sides.

The company began franchising in 1969 and has since expanded with a presence in 23 countries. The brand operates under the name Texas Chicken™ outside of the United States. Church’s Texas Chicken is recognized for its bold flavors and commitment to quality, which have helped it stand out in the competitive fast-food market.

In recent years, the franchise has undergone a rebranding to emphasize its Texas roots, adopting the name Church’s Texas Chicken. The brand's growth trajectory has been impressive, with continuous expansion into new markets and significant increases in sales. The headquarters is currently based in Atlanta, Georgia, and the franchise is owned by High Bluff Capital Partners since 2021.

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.

Church’s Chicken offers 4 types of franchises:

Franchise Model Initial Investment
Blaze Compact Model $1,114,650 to $1,636,300
1400 Blaze Image Model $1,302,224 to $1,808,972
Conversion Restaurant Blaze Image Model $738,538 to $1,310,700
End Cap Blaze Image Model $644,366 to $1,273,300

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Church’s Chicken 1700 Blaze Image Model franchise.

For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Church’s Chicken 1400 Blaze Image Model

Type of Expenditure Amount
Development Fee $10,000
Initial Franchise Fee $20,000
Grand Opening Marketing Funds $15,500 - $25,000
Real Estate (purchase or lease) Variable
Site Work $220,000 - $450,000
Building and Improvements $605,124 - $692,672
Equipment and Signs $352,450 - $380,000
Fees, Misc., Architectural and Engineering Services, Deposits $50,000 - $150,000
Initial Training $0 - $23,000
Opening Supplies $6,350 - $12,700
Insurance $7,500 - $10,000
Utility Deposits $5,000 - $15,000
Business Licenses $300 - $600
Additional Funds – 3 Months $10,000 - $20,000
Total Investment $1,302,224 - $1,808,972 (excluding Real Estate)

Franchise Disclosure Document

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Competitors

Below are some of

Church’s Chicken

key competitors in the

Chicken

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
Church’s Chicken
1969
714
+
-7%
-7%
$20,000
5.00%

$644,000

-

$1,809,000

n.a.

$1,256,000

Upgrade

69.8%

n.a.

Upgrade

21.5%

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
Yes
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Yes
2022
2
+
n.a.
n.a.
$30,000
5.00%

$478,000

-

$834,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$1,073,000

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

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Upgrade
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2023
0
+
n.a.
n.a.
$50,000
6.00%

$418,000

-

$1,000,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$1,854,000

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
Upgrade
Upgrade
2002
38
+
-19%
-19%
$35,000
5% - 8%

$192,000

-

$795,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$0

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
No
Upgrade
No
2022
5
+
n.a.
n.a.
$40,000
6.00%

$206,000

-

$688,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$0

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
No
Upgrade
No
2004
30
+
-3%
-3%
$40,000
5.00%

$408,000

-

$1,233,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$1,802,000

63.4%

n.a.

Upgrade

14.9%

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
Yes
Upgrade
Yes
2010
21
+
0%
0%
$25,000
5.00%

$358,000

-

$2,699,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$0

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
Upgrade
Upgrade

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$49 / month
Total investment

?

Revenue (AUV)

?

Revenue growth (last 3 years)

?

Profit margin

?

Franchise Disclosure Documents
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Watchlist

?

Priority support

?

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Training 

Church’s Texas Chicken® offers a comprehensive training program designed to equip franchisees with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully operate their locations. The training covers various aspects of the business, from food preparation and service to management and operations.

The training program typically includes an initial training phase, which takes place at the Church’s headquarters or a designated training facility. This phase focuses on core operational procedures, including food safety, quality control, customer service, and day-to-day restaurant management.

Franchisees also receive hands-on training in the kitchen to ensure they can maintain the high standards of Church’s Texas Chicken® products, such as their signature hand-battered, double-breaded chicken and freshly baked Honey-Butter Biscuits™.

Additionally, franchisees are trained in the brand's specific marketing strategies and the use of technology platforms to enhance operational efficiency. This training is designed to prepare franchisees for the fast-paced environment of quick-service restaurants and ensure consistency across all locations.

Ongoing support and training are also provided as the franchisee's business grows and evolves.

Territory Protection

Church’s Texas Chicken® franchise does offer territory protection to its franchisees. This means that franchisees are granted exclusive rights to operate within a specific geographic area, ensuring that no other Church’s Texas Chicken® locations will be established within that protected territory.

This protection helps franchisees maintain market share and avoid direct competition from other franchisees of the same brand within their area.The specific terms and size of the protected territory are typically outlined in the franchise agreement and can vary depending on the location and market potential.

This strategic approach allows franchisees to focus on growing their business without the concern of oversaturation in their designated area, contributing to the long-term success and stability of their operations.

Number of units

2025
Franchised units

767

744

714

Company-owned units

158

156

159

Total units

925

900

873

Competitors

Chuck's Hot Chicken

Franchisees

?

2
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$478,000 - $834,000

Angry Chickz

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$418,000 - $1,000,000

WOW American Eats

Franchisees

?

38
+
-19%
-19%
Investment

?

$192,000 - $795,000

HCK Hot Chicken

Franchisees

?

5
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$206,000 - $688,000

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