FDD-based startup cost, franchise fee, revenue, profit, SBA default rate, and investment risk signals for Chick-fil-A, Inc..
Based on 2025 FDD · 1 filing in corpus
Cost and profit at a glance
Based on FDDIQ's FDD corpus, a Chick-fil-A, Inc. franchise shows an estimated initial investment of $427K – $2.3M. Reported owner economics show $0. Use the links below to compare the cost, revenue, SBA loan history, and ROI against other franchises before you request the full FDD.
Quick fee read: $10K franchise fee · 15% royalty/ad burden. These figures are directional screening data, not a substitute for reading the current FDD and speaking with existing operators.
10-brand free summary pilot · report unlocked
Use this as a source-document screening summary: FDD investment range, royalty/ad burden, Item 19 economics, SBA repayment outcomes, unit movement, and comparable-brand context. Treat missing or low-confidence fields as diligence flags — not as blanks to ignore.
Chick-fil-A, Inc. requires a total initial investment of $427K to $2.3M (midpoint approximately $1.4M), with an initial franchise fee of $10K. The ongoing fee burden is 15% . This is in line with industry norms of approximately 14.2%.
According to Item 19 of the 2025 FDD, the median revenue for Chick-fil-A, Inc. locations is $3.4M. The implied franchisee EBITDA is approximately $0, based on the margin assumptions disclosed in the FDD.
The SBA 7(a) loan default rate of 0.0% is well below the industry average of approximately 9.4%, indicating strong franchisee financial outcomes.
Prospective franchisees should verify all figures against the most recent FDD, conduct validation calls with multiple existing franchisees, and consult with a franchise attorney before signing any agreement.
Analysis based on 2025 FDD filing. FDDIQ Editorial Team · Methodology
Estimated using sector-average margins. Actual franchise economics vary by location, operator, and market conditions.
Industry averages based on FranchiseIQ corpus benchmarks. ▲ = better than avg, ▼ = worse.
Real lending data from SBA 7(a) loans (2025-2025). 1 loans across 1 states.
Source: SBA 7(a) loan data via FOIA. Default rate = charged-off loans / total originated. Industry avg default rate ~7.2%.
Common questions buyers ask about Chick-fil-A, Inc., answered from FDD and SBA data.
The total initial investment for a Chick-fil-A, Inc. franchise ranges from $427K to $2.3M, according to their Franchise Disclosure Document.
Chick-fil-A, Inc. charges a 15% royalty fee on gross sales.
The initial franchise fee for Chick-fil-A, Inc. is $10,000.
Location count data for Chick-fil-A, Inc. is available in their FDD Item 20.
The median revenue for a Chick-fil-A, Inc. franchise is $3.4M, with a cash-on-cash return of 0.0%, according to FDD Item 19 data.
Chick-fil-A, Inc. has an SBA loan default rate of 0.0% based on SBA 7(a) loan data.
Whether a Chick-fil-A, Inc. franchise is worth it depends on total startup cost, royalty burden, FDD Item 19 economics, SBA loan performance, and local operator execution. FDDIQ compares these signals against similar franchises so buyers can screen the opportunity before paying for diligence.
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