Cowboy Chicken franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Cowboy Chicken franchise fee is $35,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $531,996 to $907,643, with about $125,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Cowboy Chicken FDD.
What are the Cowboy Chicken franchise fees and investment?
The Cowboy Chicken franchise requires a franchise fee of $35,000 and a total initial investment of $531,996 to $907,643. 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) | $35,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $531,996 to $907,643 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $125,000 |
| US locations | 17 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Chicken) |
| Headquarters | Carrollton, Texas |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Franchising since | 2007 |
How does the Cowboy Chicken investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Cowboy Chicken's minimum investment of $531,996 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 298 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $35,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Cowboy Chicken belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Cowboy Chicken FDD?
Verify six parts of the Cowboy Chicken 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 Cowboy Chicken 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 Cowboy Chicken?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Cowboy Chicken:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| B.GOOD | $40,000 | $532,000 to $846,000 |
| CHOP5 Salad Kitchen | $40,000 | $532,300 to $951,200 |
| Rusty Taco | $30,000 | $528,400 to $1,127,950 |
| The Pizza Press | $35,000 | $528,350 to $798,500 |
| Bahama Buck's | $34,500 | $528,050 to $1,223,050 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Cowboy Chicken franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Cowboy Chicken franchise ranges from $531,996 to $907,643, including a franchise fee of $35,000, 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 Cowboy Chicken franchise?
Cowboy Chicken lists a minimum of about $125,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Cowboy Chicken locations are there?
Cowboy Chicken reported 17 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 Cowboy Chicken been franchising?
Cowboy Chicken started offering franchises in 2007 after the company was founded in 2007.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Cowboy Chicken and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cowboy Chicken. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.