Chick Fil A (License Program) franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Chick Fil A (License Program) franchise fee is $0 and the total initial investment ranges from $585,500 to $3,337,000, with about $255,000 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 (License Program) FDD.
What are the Chick Fil A (License Program) franchise fees and investment?
The Chick Fil A (License Program) franchise requires a franchise fee of $0 and a total initial investment of $585,500 to $3,337,000. 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) | $0 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $585,500 to $3,337,000 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $255,000 |
| US locations | 412 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Chicken) |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Franchising since | 1964 |
How does the Chick Fil A (License Program) investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Chick Fil A (License Program)'s minimum investment of $585,500 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 265 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $0 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Chick Fil A (License Program) belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Chick Fil A (License Program) FDD?
Verify six parts of the Chick Fil A (License 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 (License 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 (License Program)?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Chick Fil A (License Program):
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Aroma Joe's | $25,000 | $586,599 to $1,859,492 |
| Savvy Sliders | $35,000 | $587,833 to $1,071,500 |
| The Honey Baked Ham Co | $15,000 | $581,400 to $876,950 |
| Saladworks | $35,000 | $590,000 to $764,500 |
| Spitz Mediterranean | $35,000 | $579,250 to $1,115,050 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Chick Fil A (License Program) franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Chick Fil A (License Program) franchise ranges from $585,500 to $3,337,000, including a franchise fee of $0, 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 (License Program) franchise?
Chick Fil A (License Program) lists a minimum of about $255,000 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 (License Program) locations are there?
Chick Fil A (License Program) reported 412 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 (License Program) been franchising?
Chick Fil A (License Program) started offering franchises in 1964 after the company was founded in 1964.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Chick Fil A (License Program) and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Chick Fil A (License Program). This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.