Golden Chick

Home
Food & Beverage
Chicken

Golden Chick

Food & Beverage
Chicken

Golden Chick Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Golden Chick is a fast-food restaurant franchise that specializes in fried chicken and Southern-inspired comfort food, offering crispy and flavorful chicken meals, homestyle sides, and classic American favorites.

Golden Chick is a well-established quick-service restaurant chain that has been delighting customers with its flavorful chicken since 1967. The franchise was originally founded in San Marcos, Texas, under the name "Golden Fried Chicken." 

Over the years, the brand has grown significantly, rebranding as Golden Chick in 1993 to reflect its evolving menu and modernized restaurant design. Today, Golden Chick is headquartered in Richardson, Texas.

Golden Chick's menu is anchored by its famous Golden Tenders®, which were introduced in 1985 and quickly set the standard in the industry for chicken tenderloins. These tenders, marinated for 24 hours and hand-battered to perfection, are considered the filet mignon of chicken. 

In addition to its signature tenders, the chain offers a variety of other options, including Golden Roast chicken, salads, and an assortment of sides, all of which are prepared with the same attention to quality and flavor.

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.

Golden Chick offers 3 types of franchises:

Type of Restaurant Initial Investment
Free-Standing Ground-Up Golden Chick Restaurant $1,193,550 to $1,913,300
Free-Standing Conversion $833,450 to $1,390,500
End-Cap Construction $823,450 to $1,379,400

‍

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Free-Standing Ground-Up Golden Chick Restaurant franchise.

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

Free-Standing Ground-Up Golden Chick Restaurant

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fees $30,000
Site Evaluation Fee $0 - $2,500
Other Site Selection Assistance $0 - $1,000
Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment $250,000 - $425,000
Signs and Menu Boards $50,000 - $100,000
Delivery and/or Catering Vehicle(s) Variable
Initial Training Costs (travel and living expenses) $10,000 - $25,000
Computer & POS Systems $3,000 - $42,500
Initial Inventory/Supplies $15,000 - $20,000
Architect/Engineer Fees $12,000 - $42,000
Cost of Real Estate Variable
Cost of Lease N/A
Site Preparations $192,500 - $360,000
Construction and Finish-Out Cost $615,600 - $820,800
Professional Services $2,500 - $7,000
Insurance $750 - $7,500
Additional Funds $10,000 - $30,000
TOTAL $1,191,350 - $1,913,300

Golden Chick offers 3 types of franchises:

Type of Restaurant Initial Investment
Free-Standing Ground-Up Golden Chick Restaurant $1,193,550 to $1,913,300
Free-Standing Conversion $833,450 to $1,390,500
End-Cap Construction $823,450 to $1,379,400

‍

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Free-Standing Ground-Up Golden Chick Restaurant franchise.

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

Free-Standing Ground-Up Golden Chick Restaurant

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fees $30,000
Site Evaluation Fee $0 - $2,500
Other Site Selection Assistance $0 - $1,000
Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment $250,000 - $425,000
Signs and Menu Boards $50,000 - $100,000
Delivery and/or Catering Vehicle(s) Variable
Initial Training Costs (travel and living expenses) $10,000 - $25,000
Computer & POS Systems $3,000 - $42,500
Initial Inventory/Supplies $15,000 - $20,000
Architect/Engineer Fees $12,000 - $42,000
Cost of Real Estate Variable
Cost of Lease N/A
Site Preparations $192,500 - $360,000
Construction and Finish-Out Cost $615,600 - $820,800
Professional Services $2,500 - $7,000
Insurance $750 - $7,500
Additional Funds $10,000 - $30,000
TOTAL $1,191,350 - $1,913,300

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training 

Golden Chick provides a comprehensive training program designed to ensure that franchisees and their staff are fully equipped to run their restaurants effectively. The training includes both classroom instruction and hands-on experience in a Golden Chick restaurant. 

Franchisees can expect to receive guidance on all aspects of restaurant operations, including food preparation, customer service, financial management, and marketing strategies.

The training program typically covers the following areas:

  1. Operational Training: This includes detailed instruction on how to prepare Golden Chick's signature menu items, including the proprietary marination and battering process for Golden Tenders. Franchisees learn about kitchen operations, equipment usage, food safety, and quality control to maintain the brand's high standards.
  2. Management and Leadership: Franchisees receive training in managing restaurant staff, including hiring, training, and retaining employees. This part of the program emphasizes leadership skills and effective communication to create a positive work environment.
  3. Financial Management: Golden Chick provides training on financial management practices, including inventory control, cost management, and profit optimization. Franchisees are taught how to use the brand's systems for tracking sales, managing expenses, and ensuring profitability.
  4. Marketing and Customer Service: The training also includes guidance on local marketing strategies and customer service excellence. Franchisees learn how to implement national and local promotions, engage with the community, and deliver an exceptional customer experience.

Territory Protection

Golden Chick franchisees are typically provided with territory protection, ensuring that they have exclusive rights to operate within a specific geographic area. 

This means that no other Golden Chick franchise can be established within the protected territory, allowing franchisees to build their customer base without direct competition from another franchisee of the same brand.

Territory protection is a significant advantage for franchisees, as it helps to secure their investment and provides the opportunity to maximize market potential within their designated area. 

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Started franchising
1972
Franchisees

?

194
+
1%
1%
Franchise fee

?

$30,000
Investment

?

$821,000 - $1,913,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed
Upgrade

$1,329,000

+
n.a.
n.a.
Operating Profit

?

Upgrade

n.a.

Home based

?

No
Upgrade
No
Passive investment

?

No
Upgrade
No
Download FDD
Download
Download
Buy this FDD for $49

You have 0 FDDs left to download this month

Serious about franchising?

Sign up to get access to:

2,400+ franchises

?

Essential financial data

?

Detailed investment

?

View 1 FDD

?

Sign up for free
Need more data?

Upgrade to Pro to get access to:

Revenue, profit margins and more

?

Passive and home-based franchises

?

Download 5,000 FDDs
Upgrade to Pro
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Competitors

Below are some of

Golden Chick

key competitors in the

Chicken

sector.

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

194

New
+
1%
1%

$30,000

$821,000

$1,913,000

n.a.

$1,329,000

$xxx,xxx

64.8%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

559

New
+
10%
10%

$35,000

$779,000

$3,829,000

n.a.

$2,128,000

$xxx,xxx

70.0%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

0

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$40,000

$644,000

$2,293,000

n.a.

$1,793,000

$xxx,xxx

65.9%

xx%

n.a.

19.5%

xx%

n.a.

10

New
+
233%
233%

$30,000

$506,000

$662,000

n.a.

$1,662,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

21

New
+
0%
0%

$25,000

$358,000

$2,699,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

192

New
+
43%
43%

$30,000

$1,229,000

$4,466,000

n.a.

$2,396,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

101

New
+
-8%
-8%

$75,000

$2,748,000

$4,100,000

n.a.

$3,575,000

$xxx,xxx

72.8%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

146

New
+
564%
564%

$40,000

$620,000

$1,963,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

39

New
+
95%
95%

$30,000

$340,000

$616,000

n.a.

$757,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

5

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$40,000

$206,000

$688,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

0

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$35,000

$183,000

$995,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

38

New
+
-19%
-19%

$35,000

$192,000

$795,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

54

New
+
0%
0%

$40,000

$1,483,000

$2,000,000

n.a.

$2,659,000

$xxx,xxx

68.7%

xx%

n.a.

10.2%

xx%

n.a.

41

New
+
-15%
-15%

$50,000

$465,000

$2,536,000

n.a.

$1,852,000

$xxx,xxx

75.4%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

826

New
+
6%
6%

$35,000

$1,445,000

$3,811,000

n.a.

$2,710,000

$xxx,xxx

67.8%

xx%

n.a.

12.8%

xx%

n.a.

93

New
+
-18%
-18%

$35,000

$517,000

$2,354,000

n.a.

$1,686,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

3558

New
+
-7%
-7%

$45,000

$1,053,000

$3,772,000

n.a.

$1,414,000

$xxx,xxx

66.3%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

12

New
+
100%
100%

$15,000

$77,000

$440,000

n.a.

$492,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

2154

New
+
28%
28%

$25,000

$298,000

$1,014,000

n.a.

$2,002,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

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.

69

New
+
64%
64%

$35,000

$933,000

$2,996,000

n.a.

$2,169,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

714

New
+
-7%
-7%

$20,000

$644,000

$1,809,000

n.a.

$1,256,000

$xxx,xxx

69.8%

xx%

n.a.

21.5%

xx%

n.a.

15

New
+
0%
0%

$35,000

$128,000

$500,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

28

New
+
-3%
-3%

$40,000

$109,000

$751,000

n.a.

$1,243,000

$xxx,xxx

57.7%

xx%

n.a.

12.9%

xx%

n.a.

22

New
+
633%
633%

$40,000

$682,000

$1,536,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

11

New
+
175%
175%

$35,000

$628,000

$1,427,000

n.a.

$2,116,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

994

New
+
-8%
-8%

$0

$28,000

$302,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

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.

12

New
+
200%
200%

$30,000

$415,000

$1,132,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

325

New
+
8%
8%

$40,000

$794,000

$2,686,000

n.a.

$2,063,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

3079

New
+
6%
6%

$50,000

$505,000

$3,923,000

n.a.

$1,824,000

$xxx,xxx

69.0%

xx%

n.a.

12.0%

xx%

n.a.

27

New
+
50%
50%

$37,500

$192,000

$698,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

30

New
+
-3%
-3%

$40,000

$408,000

$1,233,000

n.a.

$1,802,000

$xxx,xxx

63.4%

xx%

n.a.

14.9%

xx%

n.a.

538

New
+
2%
2%

$25,000

$2,450,000

$4,883,000

n.a.

$3,443,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

15

New
+
200%
200%

$45,000

$452,000

$1,050,000

n.a.

$1,850,000

$xxx,xxx

67.6%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

95

New
+
375%
375%

$35,000

$306,000

$518,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

54

New
+
-2%
-2%

$25,000

$369,000

$2,881,000

n.a.

$1,484,000

$xxx,xxx

71.3%

xx%

n.a.

12.1%

xx%

n.a.

0

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$35,000

$363,000

$726,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

4

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$30,000

$875,000

$2,690,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

205

New
+
67%
67%

$45,000

$305,000

$1,289,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

13

New
+
-19%
-19%

$50,000

$568,000

$2,529,000

n.a.

$2,151,000

$xxx,xxx

75.5%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

1

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$50,000

$603,000

$1,323,000

n.a.

$2,107,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Chuck's Hot Chicken

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.

Franchisees

?

2
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$478,000 - $834,000
Food & Beverage
Chicken

Angry Chickz

Angry Chickz is a quick-service restaurant franchise specializing in Nashville hot chicken sandwiches and tenders, known for its bold flavors and spice levels.

Franchisees

?

1
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$603,000 - $1,323,000
Food & Beverage
Chicken

WOW American Eats

WOW American Eats is a fast-casual restaurant franchise offering classic American comfort food, including burgers, wings, and hearty sides.

Franchisees

?

38
+
-19%
-19%
Investment

?

$192,000 - $795,000
Food & Beverage
Chicken

HCK Hot Chicken

HCK Hot Chicken is a fast-casual restaurant franchise specializing in Nashville-style hot chicken, offering bold flavors and customizable heat levels for spice lovers.

Franchisees

?

5
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$206,000 - $688,000
Food & Beverage
Chicken

East Coast Wings + Grill

East Coast Wings + Grill serves a variety of flavorful chicken wings, burgers, and other American fare, offering a casual dining experience with a focus on quality and taste.

Franchisees

?

30
+
-3%
-3%
Investment

?

$408,000 - $1,233,000
Food & Beverage
Chicken

Brown's Chicken

Brown's Chicken serves fried chicken and a variety of homestyle sides, offering a flavorful and satisfying dining experience with a focus on quality ingredients.

Franchisees

?

21
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$358,000 - $2,699,000
Food & Beverage
Chicken
Franchises by industry
Business Services
Education
Pets
Senior Care
Recreation
Financial Services
Beauty
Food & Beverage
Home Services
Healthcare
Fitness
Automotive
Retail
Popular searches
All franchisesAll industriesNew brands
Company
Log inLog outSign upPricingTerms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy
Any information on Franchise Payback (franchisepayback.com) has been made for informational and educational purposes only. We do not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the information presented therein. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other professional advice. Nothing contained in this website constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, advertisement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.

All content on Franchise Payback is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial and/or legal advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this website before making any decisions. See terms for more information.
© 2025 Franchise Payback. All Rights Reserved.