Chick-fil-A

EST. 1967 · Atlanta, Georgia

+ Compare Franchise requirements

US UNITS3,1672025 record · QSR Pro estimates

GLOBAL UNITS3,1002025 record · QSR Pro estimates

FRANCHISED %100%2025 record · QSR Pro estimates

FRANCHISE REQUIREMENTSView source notes ↓Figures, scope and source dates

01Our Coverage

12 STORIES

Latest

Faster pickup handoffs led drive-thru gains in 2026 study

Faster pickup handoffs led the study’s service-time gains. Dunkin’ and Chick-fil-A examples show how kitchen work and lane design connect.

Oct 7, 2026

Chick-fil-A adds a second $1,500 scholarship windowOct 7, 2026 Chick-fil-A’s 2026 scholarships show the value of upfront fundingSep 15, 2026 Chick-fil-A's Spring 2026 Menu Offensive: Seven New Items and the Jalapeño Ranch GambitMar 24, 2026 Chick-fil-A at 80: Inside the Biggest Marketing Push in the Chain's HistoryMar 24, 2026 Eggs Up Grill expands with Metz and franchisee Conley McIntyreSep 15, 2026 Wingstop's Digital-First Playbook: Can 70% Digital Sales Reshape QSR Unit Economics?Mar 28, 2026 The 2026 QSR Real Estate Bidding War: Too Many Chains Chasing Too Few A-SitesMar 25, 2026 Restaurant Labor's Paradox: 7.1% Unemployment, and Operators Still Can't HireMar 25, 2026 Counter Service Is Steve Ells' Second Act. This Time, the Tech Is the Point.Mar 25, 2026 Starbucks' Green Apron Model: How 650 Pilot Stores Beat the System by 200 Basis PointsMar 24, 2026 Restaurant Industry H1 2026: No Catalysts in Sight, Say AnalystsMar 24, 2026

02About the Brand

Quick-service chicken restaurant known for customer service

FIG 1 — US UNIT COUNT, 2019–2025

2,371

2019

2,561

2020

2,627

2021

2,809

2022

2,938

2023

3,019

2024

3,167

2025

RECORD YEARS AND SOURCE LABELS BELOW

Records can refer to different reporting dates within a year. Estimates are identified in the source labels; these records are not a like-for-like growth calculation.

2019: QSR Pro estimates
2020: QSR Pro estimates
2021: QSR Pro estimates
2022: QSR Pro estimates
2023: QSR Pro estimates
2024: QSR Pro estimates
2025: QSR Pro estimates

Franchise Requirements

Availability and model

Chick-fil-A selects full-time restaurant Operators. Meeting the published minimum requirements does not guarantee selection.

United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor

Chick-fil-A US franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).

Operating commitment

Full-time daily operation; divest other non-passive businesses. The initial fee must come from non-gifted, non-borrowed funds.

United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor

Chick-fil-A US franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).

Initial investment / development estimate: Not comparable for this model
United States
The Operator fee is not a restaurant-development estimate; the reviewed page does not provide a comparable total investment range.
Chick-fil-A US franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Initial franchise fee: $10,000
US Operator initial franchise fee
This fee is not the total cost to develop a restaurant.
Chick-fil-A US franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Separate development fee: Not verified in reviewed sources
United States
No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
Chick-fil-A US franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Liquid capital / personal funds: Not verified in reviewed sources
United States
No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
Chick-fil-A US franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Net worth: Not verified in reviewed sources
United States
No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
Chick-fil-A US franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Royalty / service fee: Not verified in reviewed sources
United States
No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
Chick-fil-A US franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).
Advertising / marketing contribution: Not verified in reviewed sources
United States
No applicable amount verified in the linked sources. Request the current disclosure for this format and territory.
Chick-fil-A US franchise requirementsSource checked 2026-10-01 (America/Los_Angeles).

Full cost guide and sources →Official Chick-fil-A website

Segment Peers

KFC Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Wingstop Church's Texas Chicken Buffalo Wild Wings

QSR Pro Advisory

Evaluating a Chick-fil-A franchise?

Our advisory desk models unit economics, territory, and FDD terms before you sign anything.

Talk to Advisory