If you’ve tasted one chicken, you’ve tasted them all, right? Wrong! Check out the top ten fastest growing chicken franchises that have carved out a piece of the market for themselves.
In this blog, Elizabeth Seigle, Senior Content Writing Specialist, will explore how each franchise stood out from the competition and made a name for itself in this ever-changing market.
What You’ll Learn
- How Chicken Franchises Have Taken The World By Storm
- Top 15 Chicken Franchise Opportunities
- Chicken QSR Opportunities by the Numbers
- Factors To Consider When Choosing a Chicken Franchise Opportunity
Expert Opinion on Marketing for Chicken Franchises
I’ve seen many food trends come and go, but one contender has stood the test of time while continuing to ruffle feathers with its versatility and palatable charm: the ever-humble chicken.
Before you go all-in on one brand, it’s important to do your research. Think about the following:
- Market Demand and Local Preference: Consider your consumers’ preferences for fried, grilled, or rotisserie-style chicken. Understanding local tastes helps you make sure to choose the franchise that aligns with customer expectations.
- Franchise Support: Not all franchises provide the same level of support. Evaluate options based on their training programs, ongoing support, and resources for marketing, supply chain, and staff development
- Brand Identity: Does the franchise’s brand identity resonate with you? Does the franchise stand out with specific recipes, sustainable sourcing, or premium ingredients? Be sure to select a franchise with a unique value proposition you’re passionate about.
Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner: How Chicken Franchises Have Taken The World By Storm
The increase in demand for chicken is nothing new, especially with beef steadily declining over the past few years due to research linking red meat consumption with increased risks of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. We’ve also seen a rise of plant-based alternatives, but chicken is still king.
When the National Chicken Council began recording per capita chicken consumption in 1960, Americans were eating an average of 28 pounds of chicken and 63 pounds of beef annually. Over the years, chicken per capita consumption has continually increased while beef consumption has steadily decreased. In its early estimates for 2024, the Council predicts consumers will eat around 102 pounds of chicken and 54 pounds of beef per person.
Experts suggest that this will only continue to rise. They claim that by 2033, the average American will consume 107.5 pounds of chicken a year, compared to 56.9 pounds of beef.
This is excellent news for chicken franchisors who want to leverage the increase in chicken consumption to delight their customers with fresh takes on nostalgic favorites, new international concepts, and enhanced flavor capability via sauces.
Chicken, it seems, has scratched its way through the pecking order to rule the roost.
A Chicken in Every Pot: A Strong Economic Forecast for Chicken Franchises
The food service industry is among the strongest industries in America when it comes to economic output. According to the USDA, these establishments reached $1.5 trillion in sales in 2023. Even when other industries experience slower growth, food service establishments tend to weather economic storms.
In turn, the chicken franchise scene has seen remarkable growth. As part of the behemoth food service industry, the market for fast-food chicken franchises in the US is expected to reach an estimated $61.1 billion in 2024. In fact, it’s grown at a rate of 7.2% in just the past 5 years alone.
Chicken-focused franchise concepts are more popular than ever, creating an overnight sensation in demand and offerings. Over the past five years, more than 40 new fast-food chicken concepts have entered the franchising market, paving the way for new brands to compete for market share as part of this powerful trend.
Something to Squawk About: The Demand for Chicken Franchise Innovation
As much as there is space to grow, chicken franchises need to be innovative when it comes to their menu items. Chicken sandwiches, chicken fingers, and chicken nuggets are among the most popular items, and franchise concepts are responding to the demand with high-quality food, innovative flavor options, and sharp operations.
While it was once the battle of burgers, we are now in the age of the battle of the chicken sandwich. Long-established and beloved brands are debuting new menu offerings left and right, while a new wave of franchise operators is embracing other trends like international flavors, healthier meal options, eco-friendly items, and dishes tailored to takeout to augment their chicken concepts.
With nearly every chicken franchise system featuring a fried chicken sandwich as a menu centerpiece, it really just boils down to offering a quality chicken sandwich with a flavor-filled sauce. Consumers care more about the main dish than the sides, and rightfully so. Franchisors can satiate growing consumer demand with flavor variety, international perspectives, and imaginative takes on nostalgic classics.
Feather Your (Franchising) Nest: How to Improve Your Chicken Offerings
For chicken concept franchisors, now is the time to make a full offering in the segment. As consumer demand for chicken continues to increase, franchise systems can take advantage of high demand by adding more chicken offerings while embracing lower food costs.
Coincidentally, as poultry supplies have improved, prices for chicken breasts, thighs, and wings have decreased, bringing relief to chicken franchisors. Although chicken prices are still higher now than they were pre-pandemic, they’ve seen a 70% reduction since its peak in the US. This could be another key factor in driving more concepts to step up their chicken offerings while taking advantage of more attractive margins.
What’s more, savvy operators and franchisors are embracing the new normal as temporary fixes developed during the pandemic have firmly taken root with consumers. By offering expanded delivery services, providing outdoor dining options, and investing in contemporary technology, operators can cater to more consumers while boosting their bottom lines.
Additionally, operators have harnessed other aspects of the new normal to entice customers. This is accomplished by presenting engaging offerings at all hours, creating more value deals, offering flexible pricing, developing multi-course meal bundles, and more.
For prospective franchisees looking to get in on the growing craze, don’t be a chicken: this is a great opportunity to break into a booming industry and embrace a trend with staying power and solid return on investment. In short, the industry is booming and isn’t showing signs of slowing anytime soon. Consumer demand will continue to increase as franchise systems expand.
Top 15 Chicken Franchise Opportunities
One thing is for sure: chicken franchise businesses are cashing in on this little feathery bird. Let’s take a look at some of the top chicken franchise opportunities for entrepreneurs to consider investing in for 2025:
Bojangles
https://bojanglesfranchising.com/
Established: 1977 in Charlotte, North Carolina
Number of Locations: Over 800
Located In: 17 States
Franchise Cost:
- Express: $895,890 to $1,414,500
- Traditional: $1,060,400 to $3,020,750
Differentiating Factors: Bojangles stands out in three fast-food categories: quick service, chicken, and breakfast. For more than 45 years, the brand has offered Southern know-how when it comes to best-in-class fried chicken and putting franchisees on the right path. Their efficient business model utilizes convenience and quality to entice guests to keep coming back and help franchisees capitalize on growing industry demand.
As part of their franchise model, franchisees enjoy strong performance through all three primary dayparts; off-premises dining to maximize sales, labor, and workflow; and high-quality food with authentic flavor. One of the brand’s unique value propositions is having built a reputation for quality by using in-house recipes and fresh ingredients with no compromises, shortcuts, or microwaves. This includes made-from-scratch biscuits baked every 20 minutes and their hallmark Legendary Iced Tea®.
Hooters
https://www.hootersfranchise.com/
Established: 1983 in Clearwater, Florida
Number of Locations: 420
Located In: 29 countries
Franchise Cost:
- Conversion: $1,258,300 to $2,820,000
- New Construction: $2,748,300 to $4,100,000
Differentiating Factors: Hooters is a true American original, boasting a craveable high-quality menu, reasonable prices, and a vibrant restaurant prototype. The legacy brand is approaching 40 years of franchise experience, built upon the strong foundation of its world-famous Hooters Girl hospitality.
The brand has come a long way from its start in October 1983, with over 400 locations in 29 countries. Franchisees can take advantage of their worldwide recognition in addition to several dedicated support teams: franchise development, franchise operations, construction and design, training, marketing, supply chain, and product development.
Hooters offers several franchise concepts, as they are adaptable, including freestanding, conversion of an existing freestanding restaurant, shopping center end caps, street-front retail locations, and highly trafficked captive audience venues.
Church’s Texas Chicken
https://churchschickenfranchise.com/
Established: 1952, San Antonio, Texas
Number of Locations: 1500+
Located In: 24 countries
Franchise Cost:
- $10,000 Development Fee
- $15,000 Franchise Fee
- 5% Royalty
- 5% Marketing Fee
Differentiating Factors: As the brand surpasses 70 years of operation, it’s no surprise that Church’s Texas Chicken has become one of the largest quick-service chicken chains in the world. Church’s firmly cemented its original Texas roots with bold, hand-crafted flavor, and they don’t plan to change that anytime soon.
Church’s franchise opportunity presents investors with integrated support at every stage. The franchise system business model incorporates operations, marketing, and technology support to help franchisees see maximum return on investment. The brand’s team of industry experts provides franchisees with valuable tools and resources, including national media marketing, a domestic online delivery system, accelerated communication via streamlined tech, and more, all designed to keep guests happy and coming back for more.
Golden Chick
https://goldenchickfranchising.com/
Established: 1967 in San Marcos, Texas
Number of Locations: 245+
Located In: 6 States
Franchise Cost:
- Freestanding, Ground Up Location: $993-750 to $1,852,800
- Freestanding, Conversion: $865,250 to $1,455,000
- Prototypical End Cap: $810,250 to $1,393,900
Differentiating Factors: The brand prides itself on wholesome and satisfying heritage menu items as the originator of Golden Tenders® while remaining mindful of the potential that the latest dining trends can hold.
Aside from its longevity, highly recognizable brand name, and beloved menu, Golden Chick offers a franchise opportunity with a business model that provides many advantages to owners, including competitive start-up costs, superb ground-up or conversion construction design, strong marketing, and advertising support programs.
Buffalo Wild Wings
https://buffalowildwingsfranchising.com/
Established: 1982 in Columbus, OH
Number of Locations: 1,279+
Located In: 50 States and Washington, DC
Franchise Cost: $2,481,500 – $4,804,800
Differentiating Factors: Wings. Beer. Sports.® What’s not to love about B-Dubs? Buffalo Wild Wings has grown from two hungry guys to the largest sports bar brand in the US, with over 1,200 locations. The brand stands out because, unlike other restaurants aiming to get customers in and out quickly, Buffalo Wild Wings wants you to stick around, enjoying their transformative restaurant design, best-in-class food and drink, and innovative sports-watching experiences.
Since 1982, Buffalo Wild Wings has embraced a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere where game time morphs into stories worth telling. With 20 signature sauces and seasonings, there’s something for everyone on their menu. The brand aims to be a premier operator and franchisor by providing franchisees with best-in-class support across all areas, including restaurant development planning, design and construction, operations training, marketing and branding, and supply chain expertise.
Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)
https://www.kfc.com/franchising
Established: 1930 in Corbin, Kentucky
Number of Locations: 24,000+
Located In: 145+ countries
Franchise Cost:
- New-build, Ground-up Construction: $1,442,600 to $2,771,550
- Re-open or Remodel: $1,008,600 and $2,221,500.
Differentiating Factors: No other brand is as synonymous with fried chicken as Kentucky Fried Chicken. The world’s most popular chicken restaurant chain was founded in 1930 and has been franchising since 1952. Pioneered by the “Colonel” Harland Sanders, the brand’s secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices has dominated the QSR industry, selling sixty million buckets of chicken annually in the US alone.
With nearly 75 years of franchise history, it’s hard to find a franchisor with more experience than KFC. The brand prides itself on its classic comfort food and commitment to value and serving local communities. It’s a brand that continues to innovate by adding new menu items like chicken sandwiches, tenders, and fries.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
https://franchising.popeyes.com/
Established: 1972 in New Orleans, Louisiana
Number of Locations: 3,705+
Located In: 46 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 30+ countries
Franchise Cost: $383,500 to $3,545,800
Differentiating Factors: Founded in 1972, Popeyes has built one of the most successful quick-service restaurant (QSR) franchises upon rich Cajun and Creole flavors. Unmistakably Louisiana-inspired, the brand embraces its history and culinary traditions while distinguishing itself with an authentic and unique New Orleans-style menu featuring spicy chicken, chicken tenders, and other regional items.
Popeyes offers a strong franchise opportunity complete with broad reach and decades of experience. The brand provides top-notch franchisee support in all sectors, including marketing, food, and customer services, in addition to instant brand name recognition, increased visibility, and customer interest.
Wingstop
https://www.wingstop.com/own-a-wingstop
Established: 1994 in Garland, Texas
Number of Locations: 2,000+
Located In: 12+ countries
Franchise Cost: $315,310 to $948,080
Differentiating Factors: Focused almost exclusively on high-quality buffalo-style chicken wings, Wingstop has positioned itself as The Wing Experts by putting flavor first. Opening its doors in 1994, the brand quickly became a fan favorite thanks to its proprietary recipes, outstanding food, and superior customer service. The brand began offering franchises in 1997, becoming one of the fastest-growing concepts in the country.
Wingstop offers excellent corporate support, plentiful training and educational resources, a relatively low cost, territory protections, low staffing requirements, and more as part of its franchise opportunity. Franchisees enjoy site selection, lease cost negotiation, grand opening, and ongoing support, as well as marketing assistance.
Slim Chickens
https://slimchickensfranchise.com/
Established: 2003 in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Number of Locations: 204
Located In: 4 countries
Franchise Cost: $1,307,000 to $4,052,000
Differentiating Factors: Slim Chickens maintains a simple mission: make the best hand-breaded chicken tenders using only 100% all-natural premium tenderloins and the freshest ingredients. Founded in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in 2003, the brand offers chicken tenders, wings, and wraps cooked to order and served with house dipping sauces.
Slim Chickens is known for being more than a quick meal, combining crave-able food, a cool vibe, and an extra touch of Southern hospitality as the company’s culture. The brand offers excellent branding, strong unit economics, and a passionate executive team to position franchisees for success.
Slim Chickens provides best-in-class support with site selection, design, construction, training, marketing, operations, real estate, and financing/accounting.
Zaxby’s
https://www.zaxbysfranchising.com/
Established: 1990 in Statesboro, GA
Number of Locations: 900+
Located In: 19 states
Franchise Cost: $501,700 to $950,200
Differentiating Factors: Since 1990, Zaxby’s has been serving made-to-order chicken fingers, wings, sandwiches, and salads with Southern hospitality and a modern twist. The brand has since become beloved for its Chicken Fingerz™, wings, and legendary
Zax Sauce. All of Zaxby’s locations are full-service restaurants in freestanding buildings that provide in-store seating and drive-thru windows.
Zaxby’s combines great food, a comfortable vibe, and fun people who care about each other, which translates into customer loyalty. The brand provides franchisees with marketing support, location development assistance, menu expansion, a robust initial training program, and ongoing business coaching.
Chick-Fil-A
https://www.chick-fil-a.com/franchise
Established: 1946 in Hapeville, GA
Number of Locations: 3,000+
Located In: 48 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico
Franchise Cost: $10,000
Differentiating Factors: Chick-fil-A is a franchise unlike any other. Only $10,000 is required to become an owner because their franchisees don’t actually own their store. Instead, they simply operate the business. Chick-fil-A corporate covers all construction expenses, but they also own the real estate, building, and equipment. They also charge a 15% royalty fee and take 50% of all profits.
However, there is nothing like the brand recognition Chick-fil-A carries. The brand strives to offer a memorable experience to each of its guests and prides itself on its freshly made food. Its chicken sandwiches, chicken nuggets, salads, and variety of sides, including waffle fries and mac and cheese, are known around the world. Add in their sweet tea and creamy milkshakes and you have a recipe for true success!
Epic Wings
https://epicwingsnthings.com/epic-wings-franchising/
Established: 1982 in San Diego, California
Number of Locations: 34
Located In: 4 states
Franchise Cost: $628,000 to $1,430,000
Differentiating Factors: Epic Wings is one of the newest franchise opportunities on this list, making it a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a growing franchise. They pride themselves on fresh, never-frozen chicken, homemade sauces and dressings, and handmade breadsticks.
Their franchise opportunity might be new, but the business isn’t. They’ve been filling hungry tummies in California since 1982. Their menu is simple: tenderloin strips, wings, breadsticks, salads, and fresh-cut fries. Paired with their delicious homemade sauces and dressings and it’s easy to see why this chicken franchise is growing so quickly.
Bonchon
https://franchising.bonchon.com/
Established: 2002, Busan, South Korea
Number of Restaurants: 455+
Located In: Worldwide
Franchise Cost: $483,245 to $1,187,229
Differentiating Factors: Bonchon is truly different from anything else on this list. Their crispy, twice-fried Korean chicken is bringing legendary flavors to markets worldwide. They offer a simplified operations and development incentives program, a white glove new restaurant support program, and more.
Their menu offers everything from fried chicken to bulgogi fries, potstickers, shrimp, bao buns, Korean tacos, and a variety of delicious Korean-inspired main dishes. If you’re looking for a non-traditional fried chicken franchise, this is the one you want to buy into!
Chicken Salad Chick
https://www.chickensaladchick.com/franchising
Established: 2008 in Auburn, Alabama
Number of Locations: 250+
Located In: 14 states
Franchise Cost: $762,000 to $980,000
Differentiating Factors: Chicken Salad Chick is a different take on chicken chain restaurants. Made from scratch daily, this fast-service option offers 13 different flavors of chicken salad, including Barbie-Q, Classic Carol, and Lauryn’s Lemon Basil. They also have a variety of fresh sides, soups, and salads, including broccoli salad and grape salad. It’s a true Southern-style restaurant!
They pride themselves on fresh food served with a side of Southern Hospitality. They partner with a number of local organizations, including schools, churches, and hospitals, to expand their influence in the community.
Champs Chicken
https://pfsbrands.com/champs-chicken/
Established: 1999 in Willard, Missouri
Number of Locations: 1,500+
Located In: 40+ states
Franchise Cost: $9,000 to $349,000
Differentiating Factors: Champs Chicken claims to be a “hidden jewel in the most unexpected places.” Located all over the country, they are committed to high-quality products, mouthwatering flavors, and top-of-the-line service.
Offering true comfort food like fried chicken, chicken tenders, biscuits and gravy, and tons of traditional sides like mac and cheese, green beans, sweet corn, and cinnamon apples, it’s easy to see why Champs Chicken is one of the fastest-growing chicken franchises in the country.
Chicken QSR Opportunities by the Numbers
Factors To Consider When Choosing a Chicken Franchise Opportunity
There’s a lot for investors and entrepreneurs to consider when not only deciding whether franchising is the right choice for them but then also choosing which franchise opportunity is best suited to their goals. Ultimately, it’s important to review several concepts to determine which option best suits your capabilities and objectives, so you can make an informed decision that appeases all your personal and financial requirements.
Prospective franchise owners should review all relevant franchise information, including each brand’s Franchise Disclosure Document, as part of the due diligence process. You’ll want to keep in mind your personal preferences, especially when it comes to how present you’d like to be as an owner (versus taking on more responsibility as an owner/operator) and how excited you are about the concept.
A large factor you’ll want to consider is your financial qualifications. Each franchise concept has a unique set of financial requirements you’ll have to meet, so you must be prepared to conduct an in-depth review of your finances to ensure you meet the necessary monetary qualifications. If you require financing options and the franchisor doesn’t provide direct financing, you’ll want to determine which options are available to you.
Some of the key factors you’ll want to consider as you review chicken franchise concepts include:
- Franchise Fees/Costs
- Royalty Fees
- Franchise Term Length
- Type of Ownership Model/Your Lifestyle
- Franchisor Sales Record/Proven Business Model
- Franchisor Tenure/Track Record
- Market Research/Location
- Brand Recognition
- Competition
- Franchisor Support/Training and Support Programs Offered
- Repeat Business Potential
- Franchisee Satisfaction/Your Level of Excitement
- Marketing Initiatives
- Expansion Opportunities/Number of Units You’d Like to Buy
Ignite Your Chicken Franchises Marketing
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Get started with a free consultation today!
