Established
2008
Franchise Units
300
Minimum Investment
$750,000
Franchise Fee
$50,000
Total Investment Range
$952,000
Home Based
No
Description
Chicken Salad Chick is one of America’s fastest-growing fast-casual restaurant franchises, bringing a fresh, modern, and community-driven dining experience to the marketplace. Specializing in delicious, made-from-scratch chicken salad, wholesome sides, and refreshing desserts, Chicken Salad Chick has established itself as a unique brand that blends Southern hospitality with a modern, scalable business model.
With a proven reputation for quality, a loyal customer base, and strong brand recognition across the United States, Chicken Salad Chick offers entrepreneurs an exciting opportunity to invest in a franchise that combines passion for food with a purpose-driven mission. Positioned in the booming fast-casual dining sector, the brand is thriving in suburban, urban, and regional markets, making it a strong contender for long-term growth and profitability.
Why Invest in this Franchise?
Investing in a Chicken Salad Chick franchise offers unmatched potential for success due to its:
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Unique Concept – Focused entirely on high-quality chicken salad varieties, complemented by fresh sides and catering services.
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Rapid Market Growth – Fast-casual dining is one of the most profitable and fastest-growing food sectors in the U.S.
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Proven Business Model – A replicable system designed for efficiency, profitability, and community engagement.
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Brand Recognition – Widely recognized for its warm hospitality and Southern-inspired menu.
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Catering Opportunities – Additional revenue streams from off-premise dining, events, and corporate catering.
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Strong Franchise Support – Comprehensive training, operational guidance, and marketing support to ensure success from day one.
Background
Many people assume chicken franchises are centered around fried foods like nuggets and sandwiches loaded with saturated fats. Chicken Salad Chick offers a different approach by focusing on fresh chicken salad options that appeal to customers looking for a lighter meal choice when dining out.
For franchise owners, one notable advantage is the simplified kitchen setup. The concept does not use fryers, which can help reduce equipment needs and overall operating costs.
Chicken Salad Chick was founded by Stacy Brown, who developed the idea while searching for what she believed would be the perfect chicken salad recipe. As a stay-at-home mother, she first introduced her product to local hair salons and teacher lounges before eventually selling her chicken salads door-to-door. As customer demand continued to grow and orders increased, the Chicken Salad Chick brand was officially created.
After launching its franchise opportunity in 2012, the company has grown to more than 300 locations throughout the United States.
Franchisees also receive strong support and training from the company. New owners participate in an initial training program held at the corporate headquarters as well as at their own location before the grand opening. The training includes both classroom instruction and hands-on experience designed to prepare owners to operate the business successfully. Areas covered include grand opening preparation, financial management, marketing resources, advertising support, and other essential operational guidance.
The estimated initial investment for a non-drive-thru location ranges from $742,300 to $950,300. For a drive-thru location, the total investment ranges from $762,300 to $980,300. The initial franchise fee is $50,000, and prospective franchisees should have a minimum cash requirement of $200,000.
Year Founded: 2008
Franchising Started: 2012
Founders: Stacy and Kevin Brown
Franchise active Units: 300
B2B Model: No
Absentee Ownership: No
Exclusive Territory Offered: Yes
Home-Based or Mobile Operation: No
Headquarters Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Available in Canada: No
International Locations: No
Support Training
Chicken Salad Chick provides franchisees with comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure long-term success:
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Pre-Launch Support: Site selection assistance, restaurant design, construction guidance, and initial setup.
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Operational Training: In-depth training programs for franchise owners and staff covering food preparation, customer service, inventory management, and operational excellence.
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Marketing Support: National and regional marketing campaigns, social media strategies, digital promotions, and grand opening marketing assistance to attract customers from day one.
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Ongoing Academic & Field Support: Continuous training sessions, workshops, and conferences to keep franchisees up-to-date with the latest trends and business strategies.
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Dedicated Franchise Consultants: Regional business coaches to provide ongoing operational and performance support.
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Technology Tools: Access to advanced POS systems, reporting tools, and back-end software for seamless operations and data-driven decision-making.
Ideal Candidate
Chicken Salad Chick is seeking passionate and motivated entrepreneurs who align with its brand values:
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Business Background: Prior experience in restaurant management, retail, or franchising is preferred but not required.
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Passion for Hospitality: Individuals who value community, customer service, and delivering high-quality food.
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Investment Capability: Financially capable of meeting initial investment requirements and sustaining business operations until profitability.
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Hands-On Leadership: Owners who are willing to actively manage and engage in day-to-day operations.
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Location Preference: Best suited for suburban communities, family-friendly neighborhoods, and high-traffic areas such as shopping centers and near business districts.
Financial Detail
- Cash Requirement: $200,000
- Initial Franchise Fee: $50,000
- Royalty Fee: 5%
- Net Worth Requirement: $600,000
- Initial Investment: $742,300 - $980,300
- Third-Party Financing: Yes