Chicken Salad Chick Franchise Cost and Profit

Chicken Salad Chick requires a total initial investment of $777K to $1.0M (midpoint approximately $903K), with an initial franchise fee of $50K. The ongoing fee burden is 7% (5% royalty plus 2% advertising fund). This is below the industry average of approximately 14.2%, leaving more margin for the operator.

According to Item 19 of the 2025 FDD, the median revenue for Chicken Salad Chick locations is $1.5M. The implied franchisee EBITDA is approximately $88K, based on the margin assumptions disclosed in the FDD. The estimated cash-on-cash return is 9.7% with a payback period of approximately 10.3 years.

Chicken Salad Chick operates approximately 180 franchised units. The brand is growing, with a 20.8% net unit increase year-over-year, indicating franchisee demand and system health. The SBA 7(a) loan default rate of 25.0% is above the franchise industry average of approximately 9.4%, suggesting elevated financial risk for franchisees relying on debt financing.

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.