Chick Fil A (Franchise Program) franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Chick Fil A (Franchise Program) franchise fee is $10,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $10,000 to $10,000, with about $0 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Chick Fil A (Franchise Program) FDD.
What are the Chick Fil A (Franchise Program) franchise fees and investment?
The Chick Fil A (Franchise Program) franchise requires a franchise fee of $10,000 and a total initial investment of $10,000. The franchise fee is one line inside the total investment, which also covers location, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
| Franchise fee (FDD Item 5) | $10,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $10,000 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $0 |
| US locations | 2,684 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Chicken) |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Franchising since | 1986 |
How does the Chick Fil A (Franchise Program) investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Chick Fil A (Franchise Program)'s minimum investment of $10,000 is at or below the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 1208 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $10,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Chick Fil A (Franchise Program) belongs with franchises under $50,000.
What should you verify in the Chick Fil A (Franchise Program) FDD?
Verify six parts of the Chick Fil A (Franchise Program) Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign, because figures change with every annual FDD:
- Item 5 and Item 6: the current franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and technology fees.
- Item 7: the full investment range by expense line, including working capital.
- Item 19: whether Chick Fil A (Franchise Program) discloses financial performance data, and which units it covers.
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers, plus contacts for current and former franchisees.
- Item 21: the franchisor's audited financial statements.
- Item 12: whether your territory is protected.
The full list of Items is in the FDD guide. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay any money.
Which franchises are similar to Chick Fil A (Franchise Program)?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Chick Fil A (Franchise Program):
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Champs Chicken | $0 | $9,000 to $349,000 |
| Stickhouse | $2,500 to $40,000 | $12,100 to $694,900 |
| Candy Bouquet | $7,000 to $35,000 | $12,470 to $517,800 |
| Brooker's Founding Flavors Ice Cream | $45,000 | $13,500 to $210,000 |
| Bimbo Bakeries | $8,000 to $500,000 | $14,350 to $606,700 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Chick Fil A (Franchise Program) franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Chick Fil A (Franchise Program) franchise ranges from $10,000 to $10,000, including a franchise fee of $10,000, according to franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. The exact amount depends on location, build-out and working capital, as shown in Item 7 of the FDD.
How much cash do you need to open a Chick Fil A (Franchise Program) franchise?
Chick Fil A (Franchise Program) lists a minimum of about $0 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Chick Fil A (Franchise Program) locations are there?
Chick Fil A (Franchise Program) reported 2,684 US locations in the data compiled in October 2026. Item 20 of the FDD shows openings, closures and transfers for the last three years.
How long has Chick Fil A (Franchise Program) been franchising?
Chick Fil A (Franchise Program) started offering franchises in 1986 after the company was founded in 1946.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Chick Fil A (Franchise Program) and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Chick Fil A (Franchise Program). This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.