Chick-fil-A
Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data
Researching Chick-fil-A franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.
Chick-fil-A franchise locations serve the brand's famous chicken sandwiches and customer service-focused dining experience across thousands of restaurants natio
Headline figures
Quick facts
- How much does it cost to open a Chick-fil-A franchise?
- The Chick-fil-A Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $585,500–$3,437,000 for total estimated initial investment low (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 25); $3,437,000 for total estimated initial investment high (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 25). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
- Does Chick-fil-A disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
- Yes. The Chick-fil-A FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 52). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
- How many Chick-fil-A locations are there?
- The FDD reports 848 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 55). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
What the disclosures show
- 1The 2026 FDD (Item 7) estimates opening costs separately by format: $585,500 – $3,437,000 (Total estimated initial investment low); $3,437,000 (Total estimated initial investment high); several initial fee options apply.
- 2Item 19 covers 2 separate groups: revenue and other measures for 306 Independent franchised Licensees locations; revenue and other measures for 100 Independent franchised Licensees locations. They are not combined.
- 3Outlets declined by 2 in 2025, to 848 (United States, as labeled in the FDD, Item 20).
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
Costs · Items 5–7
What does it cost to open?
Estimated opening costs and the fees payable to the franchisor.
Startup Investment — Item 7
Range across 2 single-unit formats
2026 FDD · Item 7
Formats disclosed in Item 7 (2)
Each format has its own total. The total depends on the format you choose.
- Total estimated initial investment lowPDF p. 25$585,500 – $3,437,000
- Total estimated initial investment highPDF p. 25$3,437,000
Ongoing Fees — Item 6
Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.
10 reported fees, each with its payment basis, are listed below; they haven't been sorted into recurring, initial and occasional groups yet.
Financial Performance — Item 19
What results are disclosed—and for which locations?
Two separate populations, not a revenue-and-profit comparison. Revenue is not owner income.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue and other measures · 306 locations
- Who is counted
- Domestic Chick-fil-A Licensed Units on college or university campuses, full calendar year
- Excluded
- Only licensed units open at least one full calendar year by December 31, 2025; overall representation sample 406
- Method
- Annual sales volume, full-year 2025
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Revenue and other measures · 100 locations
- Who is counted
- Domestic Chick-fil-A Licensed Units at hospitals, businesses, industries, or airports, full calendar year
- Excluded
- Only licensed units open at least one full calendar year by December 31, 2025; overall representation sample 406
- Method
- Annual sales volume, full-year 2025
These groups are never combined.
Outlet Changes — Item 20
How has the outlet count changed?
United States, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of December 31, 2025 of each year.
2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 55
Net +24 outlets, 2023–2025
Year-end counts reported in Item 20. The scale starts at zero, so the line looks nearly flat; the labels between the dots show each year's change. Openings and closures for 2025 haven't been pulled from the Item 20 tables yet, so no turnover or churn is shown.
Questions to investigate
Prompts based on what this brand's reviewed disclosures do and don't show — not conclusions. Join free as a member to save questions to your research.
For the franchisor
Which line items in the 2026 Item 7 estimate ($585,500 – $3,437,000) vary most by market, and why?
Which initial fee option would apply to my situation, and what conditions or discounts affect it?
Which locations are included in the Item 19 figures, and which were excluded?
Reported units decreased from 850 to 848 in 2025. What drove the change?
Is a territory available in my area, and how is it defined in my agreement?
For current and former owners
How did your actual startup costs and timeline compare with the Item 7 estimate?
How many hours a week do you work in the business, and in what role?
How do your results compare with the Item 19 figures, and what explains the difference?
What support from the franchisor has been most and least useful?
For your advisors
Ask a franchise attorney to review the territory, renewal, transfer and termination terms.
Ask an accountant to build a cash-flow plan using your own assumptions, not the franchisor's.
Sources & vintage history
Every displayed fact is retained with its disclosure vintage, item, page, and reviewed status. Prior vintages remain on file rather than being overwritten.
Citations (2026 FDD)
- [1]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Domestic Chick-fil-A Licensed Units on college or university campuses, full cal… · PDF p. 52; PDF p. 53
- [2]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Domestic Chick-fil-A Licensed Units at hospitals, businesses, industries, or ai… · PDF p. 53
- [3]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 55
"PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page. Source document: FDD
Territory & operations
No territory or operating requirements have been reviewed yet.
1,879 addresses in Franopolis's imported location list. Coverage may differ from Item 20 outlet counts.
These are contract disclosures, not confirmation that any territory is currently available.
Legal & agreement
Franchisor financial statements
No verified franchisor financial statement figures have been reviewed yet.
SBA-backed loans to franchisees
Loading…
Source: U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) & 504 FOIA data. Loan volume is not a measure of franchisee success.
Related research
Brands in the same subcategory first, then the wider industry, ordered by shared business format and overlapping investment range. This is not a ranking or recommendation.
Bojangles Opco, LLC
Donatos PizzaMSMoe’s Southwest GrillNNNAF NAF Middle Eastern Grill
Paris Banh Mi
Pickleman’s Gourmet CafeHead-to-head comparisons
At a glance
Business history
Not reviewed
Owner participation
Not reviewed
Territory language
Not reviewed
Litigation disclosure
Not reviewed
Bankruptcy disclosure
Not reviewed
Agreement term
Not reviewed
Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.