Ambrosio’s Take
Chick-fil-A runs one of the most distinctive franchise models in the industry, requiring just a $10,000 initial franchise fee as the operator’s only true out-of-pocket investment, with the franchisor covering construction and other startup costs. Against the full estimated investment range, average sales for the 2,302 non-mall restaurants ($9,161,239) translate to a sales-to-investment ratio of 4.8:1, and mall locations come in at 2.4:1, figures well above the ratios typical of quick-service peers like Popeyes, Bojangles, and KFC. Those numbers come with an important caveat: Chick-fil-A collects 15% of gross receipts and 50% of net profits as ongoing service fees, so the low upfront cost is paired with a very different long-term economic split than a conventional franchise. Prospective operators should weigh that fee structure carefully alongside the sales figures, since the two are only meaningful together.
Ambrosio’s Take is a new feature on all Franchise Chatter FDD Talk posts based on the 2026 FDD.
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Section I – Estimated initial investment (franchise costs) for a Chick-fil-A franchise, based on Item 7 of the company’s 2026 FDD
Section II – Initial franchise fee, royalty fee, and marketing fee for a Chick-fil-A franchise, based on Items 5 and 6 of the company’s 2026 FDD
Section III – Number of franchised and company-owned Chick-fil-A outlets at the start of the year and the end of the year for 2023, 2024, and 2025, based on Item 20 of the company’s 2026 FDD
Section IV – News updates on the Chick-fil-A franchise opportunity
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When I owned a UPS Store, I learned firsthand how much your ZIP code shapes your outcome. I sold my store at a premium because my territory was in a high-value area. The best areas go first, and once they're gone, they're gone. Enter your ZIP code, and a territory specialist will walk you through the franchises still available near you, drawing on information that isn't publicly accessible, saving you months of wasted research.🔴Free Webinar: 6 Under-the-Radar Franchise Concepts That Serious Buyers Should Know
Every month we feature 6 standout franchises that could be the opportunity you've been looking for, each evaluated on disclosed financials and matched to the type of buyer most likely to succeed with it. Can't attend live on October 27 at 6PM EST? Register now and we'll send you the full recording the next day. Reserve your spot here.Section V – Presentation and analysis of Chick-fil-A’s financial performance representations (average revenues and/or profits), based on Item 19 of the company’s 2026 FDD, including information on the:
- 2025 average, median, high, and low sales for the 201 domestic non-captive venue franchised Operator Chick-fil-A Restaurants located in malls that had been open and operated by Operators for at least one full calendar year as of December 31, 2025
- percentage of domestic non-captive venue franchised Operator Chick-fil-A Restaurants located in malls that had been open and operated by Operators for at least one full calendar year as of December 31, 2025 and generated annual sales of less than $2,825,000; between $2,825,000 and $5,300,000; and over $5,300,000, respectively
- 2025 average, median, high, and low sales for the 2,302 domestic non-captive venue franchised Operator Chick-fil-A Restaurants located in non-malls that had been open and operated by Operators for at least one full calendar year as of December 31, 2025
- percentage of domestic non-captive venue franchised Operator Chick-fil-A Restaurants located in non-malls that had been open and operated by Operators for at least one full calendar year as of December 31, 2025 and generated annual sales of less than $8,180,000; between $8,180,000 and $10,020,000; and over $10,020,000, respectively
- 2025 average, median, high, and low sales for the 3 domestic non-captive venue franchised Operator Chick-fil-A Restaurants located in delivery kitchens that had been open and operated by Operators for at least one full calendar year as of December 31, 2025
- percentage of domestic non-captive venue franchised Operator Chick-fil-A Restaurants located in delivery kitchens that had been open and operated by Operators for at least one full calendar year as of December 31, 2025 and generated annual sales of less than $2,500,000; between $2,500,000 and $2,800,000; and over $2,800,000, respectively
Section VI – Key ratios, comparables, computations, and analyses for the Chick-fil-A franchise opportunity (exclusive content for Platinum subscribers)
Section I – Chick-fil-A Franchise Costs
- Chick-fil-A franchise costs, based on Item 7 of the company’s 2026 FDD:
- Initial Franchise Fee: $10,000
- Opening Inventory: $22,950 to $107,000
- First Month’s Rental of Equipment: $750 to $5,000
- First Month’s Lease/Sublease of Premises: $3,500 to $100,655
- First Month’s Insurance Expense: $321 to $22,500
- Additional Funds: $280,000 to $3,218,000
- Total Estimated Chick-fil-A Franchise Costs: $317,521 to $3,463,155
Section II – Chick-fil-A’s Initial Franchise Fee, Royalty Fee, and Marketing Fee
- Chick-fil-A’s initial franchise fee, royalty fee, and marketing fee, based on Items 5 and 6 of the company’s 2026 FDD:
- Initial Franchise Fee: $10,000
- Additional Business Fee: $5,000 for each additional Chick-fil-A Restaurant business, whether for a traditional location, a captive venue unit, or a delivery kitchen unit
- Advertising: advertising fund contribution may vary (a) between 0% and 3.25%, to be determined by Chick-fil-A, as a percentage of Gross Receipts or (b) by vote of Operators in local or regional areas
- “Base Operating Service Fee” for a particular restaurant for each calendar month is the amount by which 15% of the Gross Receipts for the month exceeds the monthly equipment rental payable and business services fee for the calendar month.
- “Additional Operating Service Fee” as to a particular restaurant for each calendar month is (i) in the case of the Initial Business (i.e., your first restaurant), 50% of the Net Profit for Initial Business for the month, or (ii) in the case of an Additional Business, 50% of the Net Profit for Additional Business for the month.
Section III – Number of Franchised and Company-Owned Chick-fil-A Outlets
Franchised
2023
- Outlets at the Start of the Year: 2,331
- Outlets at the End of the Year: 2,494
- Net Change: +163
2024
- Outlets at the Start of the Year: 2,494
- Outlets at the End of the Year: 2,629
- Net Change: +135
2025
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When I owned a UPS Store, I learned firsthand how much your ZIP code shapes your outcome. I sold my store at a premium because my territory was in a high-value area. The best areas go first, and once they're gone, they're gone. Enter your ZIP code, and a territory specialist will walk you through the franchises still available near you, drawing on information that isn't publicly accessible, saving you months of wasted research.📈Dreaming of Multi‑Unit Success? Lock In Prime Territories Before They're Gone.
Colin started as a team member at 21 and now owns 6 locations in Tampa Bay. Lisa came from marketing and built 21 in San Diego. The most successful multi-unit owners move early and secure markets with room to grow. Use our free tool to search multiple ZIP codes and find franchises where you can still stack locations, before someone else does. A franchise specialist will be in touch to present what's available.- Outlets at the Start of the Year: 2,624
- Outlets at the End of the Year: 2,795
- Net Change: +171
Company-Owned
2023
- Outlets at the Start of the Year: 80
- Outlets at the End of the Year: 58
- Net Change: -22
2024
- Outlets at the Start of the Year: 58
- Outlets at the End of the Year: 55
- Net Change: -3
2025
- Outlets at the Start of the Year: 60
- Outlets at the End of the Year: 68
- Net Change: +8
Section IV – News Updates on the Chick-fil-A Franchise
Section V – Financial Performance Representations (Average Revenues and/or Profits) for the Chick-fil-A Franchise (Item 19, 2026 FDD)
Domestic Chick-fil-A Restaurants Included in Sample
- As of December 31, 2025, there were approximately 3,287 domestic Chick-fil-A Restaurants open and operating, including approximately 2,863 domestic company-operated and franchised Operator Chick-fil-A Restaurants and 424 domestic Chick-fil-A Licensed Units. The domestic Chick-fil-A Licensed Units, which are operated by Chick-fil-A Licensees, and their annual sales volumes are not the subject of these financial performance representations.
- As of December 31, 2025, approximately 2,795 of the 2,863 domestic Chick-fil-A Restaurants were being operated by Operators and 68 of the 2,863 domestic Chick-fil-A Restaurants were being operated by Chick-fil-A or its affiliates. The domestic Chick-fil-A Restaurants, which are operated or were operated at any time during calendar year 2025 by Chick-fil-A or its affiliates, and their annual sales volumes are not the subject of these financial performance representations.
- Approximately 2,531 of those 2,795 domestic Chick-fil-A Restaurants being operated by Operators had been open and operated by Operators for at least one full calendar year as of December 31, 2025 and had been operated by Operators during the entire year. Of these 2,531 domestic Chick-fil-A Restaurants operated by Operators, 25 were captive venue units. Those 25 captive venue units and their annual sales volumes are not the subject of these financial performance representations.
- The remaining 2,506 non-captive venue domestic Chick-fil-A Restaurants that had been open and operated by Operators for at least one full calendar year as of December 31, 2025, and their annual sales volumes are the subject of these financial performance representations and discussed below.
- Approximately 201 of the 2,506 domestic non-captive venue franchised Operator Chick-fil-A Restaurants that had been open and operated by Operators for at least one full calendar year as of December 31, 2025 were located in malls.
- Approximately 2,302 of the 2,506 domestic non-captive venue franchised Operator Chick-fil-A Restaurants that had been open and operated by Operators for at least one full calendar year as of December 31, 2025 were located in non-mall environments (e.g., free-standing or drive-thru only units).
- Approximately 3 of the 2,506 domestic non-captive venue franchised Operator Chick-fil-A Restaurants that had been open and operated by Operators for at least one full calendar year as of December 31, 2025 were located in delivery kitchen environments.
Annual Sales of Chick-fil-A Restaurants Open for a Full Twelve Months During 2025
Non-Captive Venue Mall Restaurants
- Number of Restaurants: 201
- Median Annual Sales Volume: $3,356,330
- Average Sales Volume: $4,579,894
- Number and Percentage That Did as Well or Better Than Average: 71 of the 201 or 35%
- Lowest Annual Sales Volume: $1,312,752
- Highest Annual Sales Volume: $14,408,747
- Approximately 34% had annual sales volumes less than $2,825,000; approximately 33% had annual sales volumes between $2,825,000 and $5,300,000; and approximately 33% had annual sales volumes in excess of $5,300,000.
Non-Captive Venue Non-Mall Restaurants (e.g., freestanding or drive-thru only units)
- Number of Restaurants: 2,302
- Median Annual Sales Volume: $9,087,673
- Average Sales Volume: $9,161,239
- Number and Percentage That Did as Well or Better Than Average: 1,120 of the 2,302 or 49%
- Lowest Annual Sales Volume: $1,658,209
- Highest Annual Sales Volume: $20,048,032
- Approximately 34% had annual sales volumes less than $8,180,000; approximately 33% had annual sales volumes between $8,180,000 and $10,020,000; and approximately 33% had annual sales volumes in excess of $10,020,000.
Delivery Kitchens
- Number of Restaurants: 3
- Median Annual Sales Volume: $2,752,922
- Average Sales Volume: $2,547,052
- Number and Percentage That Did as Well or Better Than Average: 2 of the 3 or 67%
- Lowest Annual Sales Volume: $2,019,944
- Highest Annual Sales Volume: $2,868,290
- Approximately 33% had annual sales volumes less than $2,500,000; approximately 33% had annual sales volumes between $2,500,000 and $2,800,000; and approximately 33% had annual sales volumes in excess of $2,800,000.
- During the calendar year ending December 31, 2025, 4 domestic non-captive venue franchised Operator Chick-fil-A Restaurants located in mall units permanently closed, of which 0 had been open for less than 12 months; 13 domestic non-captive venue franchised Operator Chick-fil-A Restaurants located in non-mall environments permanently closed, of which 0 had been open less than 12 months; and 1 delivery kitchen unit permanently closed, of which 0 had been open less than 12 months.
- The financial performance representations set forth above are based upon a total of 2,506 domestic non-captive venue franchised Operator Chick-fil-A Restaurants that were open and operated by Operators for at least one full calendar year as of December 31, 2025 and had been operated by Operators during the entire year, of which 201 were located in malls, 2,302 were located in non-mall environments (e.g., freestanding or drive-thru only units), and 3 were located in delivery kitchen environments (i.e., delivery kitchens).
- Some franchised Operator Chick-fil-A Restaurants have sold this amount. Your individual results may differ. There is no assurance that you’ll sell as much.
Section VI – Chick-fil-A Franchise Ratios, Comparables, Computations, and Analyses (Exclusive Content for Platinum Subscribers) ⬇️
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