Established
1966
Franchise Units
133
Minimum Investment
$700,000
Franchise Fee
$30,000
Total Investment Range
$1,200,000
Home Based
No
Description
Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken has earned a place in America’s fast-food history as a brand that delivers real comfort, real flavor, and a genuinely warm guest experience. Built on a legacy of hand-breaded, honey-dipped fried chicken and homestyle sides, Lee’s continues to resonate with consumers who crave authenticity in a crowded quick-service restaurant (QSR) landscape. The brand’s commitment to fresh, never frozen chicken, cooked in small batches throughout the day, has positioned Lee’s as a trusted community staple across the Midwest, South, and emerging growth markets.
Today, Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken stands as a compelling opportunity for entrepreneurs who want to align with a restaurant franchise that blends tradition with modern operational systems. With strong unit economics, a loyal customer base, and decades of brand equity, Lee’s is well-suited for operators who want to build a scalable, multi-unit portfolio in the thriving fried chicken category—one of the most profitable and fastest-growing segments in American foodservice.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
Investing in Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken means joining a proven concept with more than half a century of brand loyalty. The fried chicken category continues to soar, and Lee’s remains competitive by sticking to what customers love: consistent flavor, generous portions, and recipes made the right way—not the fastest way.
The brand offers a flexible restaurant model, strong operational support, and efficient kitchen layouts designed to maximize throughput without compromising quality. Franchisees benefit from decades of perfected systems, respected supply-chain partnerships, and ongoing innovation in menu development and marketing. Whether you’re an experienced operator looking to expand your portfolio or a first-time investor seeking a stable, recognizable brand, Lee’s provides a high-potential opportunity grounded in tradition and set up for long-term success.
Background
Established Year: 1966
Founder: Lee Cummings (nephew of Colonel Harland Sanders)
Current Franchise Units: Approximately 130+ locations across the USA
Industry Category: Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) – Fried Chicken / Fast Casual
Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken began when Lee Cummings partnered with Harold Omer to introduce a new style of home-style fried chicken: honey-dipped, hand-breaded, and pressure-cooked to deliver unmatched tenderness and flavor. After opening the first restaurant in Ohio, the brand quickly expanded throughout the Midwest and Southeast, becoming a beloved community-focused restaurant chain.
Throughout the decades, Lee’s maintained its authentic cooking methods and signature flavors while modernizing its operations, branding, and customer experience. Today, the company operates under a supportive franchise ownership structure that emphasizes quality, consistency, and profitability. Lee’s remains deeply rooted in its heritage but continues to evolve with new store designs, digital integrations, and menu enhancements.
The brand’s strong presence in states such as Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, and Michigan serves as the foundation for ongoing national expansion, especially in high-growth suburban and mid-sized markets.
Support Training
Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken offers a comprehensive support system designed to prepare franchisees for successful launch, streamlined operations, and long-term growth.
Pre-Launch Support
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Site Selection Assistance: Guidance on demographics, traffic patterns, and competitive mapping to secure the ideal location.
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Restaurant Design & Build-Out: Support with architectural layout, equipment specifications, interior branding, and drive-thru optimization.
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Pre-Opening Training: A structured onboarding program covering operational standards, menu preparation, food safety, staff hiring, and leadership training.
Operational Support
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In-Store Training: Hands-on instruction for franchisees and team members at an existing Lee’s location, ensuring confidence in daily operations.
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Operational Playbooks: Access to proprietary manuals covering recipes, procedures, inventory systems, and service standards.
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Grand Opening Support: Corporate teams assist with launch planning, local marketing, and operational readiness.
Marketing & Growth Support
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Brand Marketing: National promotional campaigns, digital advertising support, social media strategy, and seasonal product promotions.
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Local Store Marketing: Tools, templates, and guidance for effective grassroots community engagement.
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Menu Innovation: Ongoing updates to the product lineup and seasonal offerings to maintain brand excitement.
Ongoing Support
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Dedicated Franchise Business Consultant (FBC): Regular performance reviews, KPI analysis, and continuous improvement recommendations.
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Technology Systems: POS integrations, analytics dashboards, and digital ordering solutions.
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Supply Chain Management: Established vendor partnerships with consistent, high-quality product availability.
Ideal Candidate
Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken is best suited for entrepreneurs who want a stable, community-oriented business with scalable growth potential. Ideal candidates include:
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Multi-Unit Restaurant Operators seeking to diversify with a strong legacy brand in the fried chicken segment.
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Entrepreneurs with Foodservice or Retail Experience who understand operations, staffing, and customer service fundamentals.
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Investors Seeking a Long-Term Franchise Asset backed by brand history and strong unit economics.
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Hands-On Operators who value quality, consistency, and team leadership.
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Community-Driven Owners who want to build relationships with local families, schools, sports teams, and organizations.
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Candidates With Adequate Capital to support development, including equipment, staffing, and pre-opening marketing.
Preferred markets include suburban communities, mid-sized cities, and regional trade areas where families value hometown-style cooking.
Financial Detail
| Category | Amount / Range |
|---|---|
| Total Investment | $700,000 – $1,200,000+ |
| Minimum Liquid Capital | $500,000 – $600,000 |
| Net Worth Requirement | $1,000,000+ |
| Franchise Fee | $30,000 – $40,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 4% – 6% of gross sales |
| Marketing Fund | 1% – 3% of gross sales |
| Build-Out & Equipment | $550,000 – $1,050,000 (combined estimate) |
| Working Capital | $75,000 – $150,000 |
| Break-Even Period | 12 – 24 months |