Established
2014
Franchise Units
30
Minimum Investment
$198,000
Franchise Fee
$45,000
Total Investment Range
$286,000
Home Based
No
Description
Chick'nCone reimagines the classic chicken and waffles by serving crispy chicken tenders in a freshly baked waffle cone, offering a convenient, fork-free dining experience. Founded in 2014 by Jonathan Almanzar and Josh Lanier in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the brand has rapidly expanded across the U.S. With over 30 locations nationwide, Chick'nCone has become a beloved fast-casual destination, known for its innovative menu and commitment to quality.
Why Invest in this Franchise?
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Unique Concept: Chick'nCone offers a distinctive twist on a traditional dish, attracting a diverse customer base.
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Proven Success: The brand has demonstrated strong growth and brand recognition in the competitive QSR market.
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Supportive Franchise Model: Chick'nCone provides comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure franchisee success.
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Scalable Opportunity: The franchise model is designed for scalability, allowing for single or multi-unit ownership.
Background
Established: 2014
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Founders: Jonathan Almanzar and Josh Lanier
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Headquarters: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
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Franchise Units: Over 30 locations across the U.S.
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Industry Category: Quick Service Restaurant (QSR)
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Ownership: Privately held by the founders
Chick'nCone began as a food truck in eastern Pennsylvania, gaining popularity for its innovative take on chicken and waffles. The success of the food truck led to the opening of the first brick-and-mortar location in Colorado in 2014. Since then, the brand has expanded to over 30 locations nationwide, including major cities like New York City, Miami, Dallas, and San Diego.
Support Training
Chick’nCone helps franchisees set up their business for success before opening the doors. This includes:
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Site Selection: Assistance in choosing high-traffic, high-potential locations.
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Lease Negotiation Guidance: Expert support to secure favorable lease terms.
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Store Design & Layout: Guidance on store layout, kitchen setup, and customer flow to ensure efficiency and brand consistency.
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Equipment & Supply Assistance: Help in sourcing the right kitchen equipment, supplies, and materials that meet brand standards.
2. Initial Training
Franchisees receive comprehensive training programs designed to prepare them to run the business smoothly:
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Duration: 49 hours total.
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Classroom Instruction: 31 hours covering business operations, customer service, food handling, and brand standards.
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On-the-Job Training: 18 hours of practical, hands-on training in a functioning Chick’nCone store.
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Topics Covered:
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Food preparation & portion control
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Quality standards & consistency
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Inventory management
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Customer service excellence
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Point-of-sale systems & daily operations
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3. Opening Assistance
When the store is ready to launch, Chick’nCone provides on-site support to ensure a smooth opening:
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Guidance for a successful grand opening event
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Staff training on-site during launch week
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Operational troubleshooting
4. Ongoing Operational Support
Chick’nCone continues to support franchisees after the launch:
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Regular check-ins with franchise consultants
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Operational reviews to maintain efficiency and standards
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Assistance in solving day-to-day operational challenges
5. Marketing Support
Franchisees are supported in promoting their business through:
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Local Marketing Guidance: Help in creating area-specific campaigns, social media promotions, and events to drive traffic.
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National Campaigns: Participation in brand-wide advertising campaigns and promotions.
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Brand Materials: Access to marketing templates, promotional graphics, and POS materials.
6. Academic & Growth Support
Chick’nCone ensures franchisees continuously improve and grow:
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Performance Analytics: Tools to track sales, operations, and profitability.
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Workshops & Updates: Periodic workshops for new products, operational updates, and best practices.
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Franchisee Community: Opportunities to network with other franchise owners for idea sharing and support.
Ideal Candidate
1. Passion for the Brand
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The ideal franchisee should have a genuine enthusiasm for Chick’nCone’s unique concept—serving crispy chicken in a waffle cone.
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A commitment to delivering exceptional customer service and maintaining the brand’s quality standards is crucial.
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Franchisees should be excited to promote the brand locally, hosting events, engaging with customers, and building a loyal following.
2. Business Acumen
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While prior experience in the foodservice or QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) industry is preferred, it’s not mandatory.
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Strong franchisees typically have business management skills, including:
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Staff management
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Financial oversight
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Inventory and operations management
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Franchisees should be able to follow established systems and processes while making smart, local business decisions.
3. Financial Capability
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The ideal candidate must have sufficient capital to cover the total investment requirements (approximately $198,000 – $286,000).
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They should be able to sustain operations through the initial ramp-up period until reaching break-even (typically 12–18 months).
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Access to additional working capital is a plus for marketing campaigns, staffing, and unforeseen operational costs.
4. Location & Market Understanding
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Candidates should prefer high-traffic areas with strong footfall—shopping centers, city centers, college campuses, or entertainment districts.
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Understanding the local demographic and having the ability to target marketing campaigns effectively is a significant advantage.
5. Entrepreneurial Mindset
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Chick’nCone franchisees should be motivated self-starters who take ownership of their business.
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They should be willing to learn and adhere to the brand system while actively seeking ways to grow revenue and customer satisfaction.
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The ideal franchisee is open to continuous improvement, attending training workshops, implementing best practices, and innovating locally within the brand’s guidelines.
6. Scalability & Growth Orientation
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The brand is suitable for first-time business owners as well as experienced multi-unit operators.
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Franchisees interested in expanding into multiple locations or scaling within a region are highly desirable.
Financial Detail
| Category | Details / Range |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $45,000 |
| Total Investment Required | $198,000 – $286,000 |
| Minimum Investment | $198,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 6% of monthly gross sales |
| Marketing Fee | Not publicly specified (varies by location) |
| Franchise Units | Over 30 locations across the U.S. |
| Infrastructure / Build-Out Costs | Included in total investment; depends on location size and lease |
| Working Capital Requirement | Varies; typically 3–6 months of operating expenses recommended |
| Expected ROI | Dependent on location; many franchisees see profitability within 12–18 months |
| Break-Even Time | 12–18 months (approx.) |
| Potential Revenue Streams | Sales from Chick’nCones, chicken sandwiches, tenders, sides, beverages, catering, local promotions |
| Ongoing Support & Training | Pre-launch, opening, operational, marketing, and academic support included |