CHICK-FIL-A License Program
The Chick-fil-A License Program grants licenses to operate limited-menu, quick-service restaurants featuring boneless breast of chicken sandwiches and related items like nuggets, salads, fries, and lemonade in non-traditional captive audience locations such as schools, universities, airports, hospitals, and workplaces. Licensees either self-operate from custom facades or counter areas or act as food service providers to third-party operators at these sites, complying with Chick-fil-A's standards and specifications without an initial license fee. The target market is primarily customers aged 18-44, with a developed presence in the Sunbelt region from Pennsylvania south through Texas and growing elsewhere.
Franchise Costs
10% license fee (royalty on Gross Receipts) + 0% ad fund + no fixed monthly fees
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 384 domestic Chick-fil-A Licensed Units open for at least one full calendar year as of December 31, 2023, operated by independent, franchised Licensees.
* Calculated overall weighted average gross revenue from two segments: College/University campuses (300 units, average $1,327,108) and Hospitals/Businesses/Industries/Airports (84 units, average $3,278,264). Weighted average = (300 * $1,327,108 + 84 * $3,278,264) / (300 + 84) = $1,753,923.375. The document explicitly states that it does not reflect costs of sales or operating expenses, so no profit/EBITDA figures or estimates could be provided.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How CHICK-FIL-A License Program Compares
Key Insights
- Top 10 largest franchise system in Fast Casual
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHICK-FIL-A License Program Current | $586K – $3.3M | N/A | 10.0% | 412 |
| Tropical Smoothie Cafe | $300K – $721K | $35K | 6.0% | 1,371 |
| TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFÉ | $300K – $721K | $35K | 6.0% | 1,371 |
| FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) | $379K – $1.4M | $20K | 6.0% | 1,248 |
| Zaxby's | $1.4M – $3.8M | $35K | 6.0% | 826 |
| Qdoba | $548K – $1.3M | $40K | 5.0% | 652 |
Fast Casual Average 107 franchises | $532K – $1.2M | $39K | 5.6% | – |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 107 Fast Casual franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2023)
Outlets by state across the United States
+34 more states
Franchisee Contacts
2,744 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
| Name | SBA Loan |
|---|---|
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC | $350,000 2023 · Active |
2,744 Contacts Available
Unlock all CHICK-FIL-A License Program franchisee contacts with verified contact information
Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
Pier 1 Imports, Inc. (associated with Cheryl Bachelder) filed Chapter 11 on February 17, 2020.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
The total initial investment to open a CHICK-FIL-A License Program franchise ranges from $585,500 to $3,337,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 10.0% of gross sales.
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