Golden Chick

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.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

194

Franchise fee

$30,000

Investment

$821,000 - $1,913,000

Revenue (AUV)

$1,329,000

n.a.

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

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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

Create an account to access and download this FDD. For more information, see our plans here.

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:

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.
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.
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.
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.