Established
1976
Franchise Units
30
Minimum Investment
$250,000
Franchise Fee
$25,000
Total Investment Range
$600,000
Home Based
No
Description
Petro's Chili & Chips is a well-established fast-casual food franchise best known for its signature Fritos® chili pie, loaded baked potatoes, and customizable chili-based comfort foods. With deep roots in American fairs, malls, stadiums, and travel centers, the brand has built a loyal following by delivering bold flavors, fast service, and a simple, scalable operating model.
Positioned perfectly between snack food and hearty meals, Petro's Chili & Chips appeals to a broad demographic—from families and travelers to college students and event-goers. The concept thrives in high-traffic, non-traditional locations such as food courts, airports, amusement parks, truck stops, and convenience-driven retail spaces, making it a flexible and resilient franchise option in the U.S. market.
The brand’s strength lies in its focused menu, recognizable product, and proven systems that allow franchisees to operate efficiently with lower labor requirements and streamlined inventory. For investors seeking a recognizable food brand with decades of market validation and strong consumer recall, Petro’s Chili & Chips presents a compelling opportunity.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
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Iconic signature product with strong consumer recognition
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Simple, focused menu enabling fast service and consistency
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Flexible footprint suitable for malls, travel centers, stadiums, and universities
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Lower labor intensity compared to traditional restaurants
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Decades of brand longevity and consumer trust
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Scalable model for single-unit and multi-unit operators
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Affordable comfort food that performs well across economic cycles
Background
- Established Year: 1976
- Founders: Tom Petro and family
- Industry Category: Fast-Casual Restaurant / Chili & Snack Food Concept
- Franchise Active Units : 30+ locations
Petro’s Chili & Chips began as a small family-run food operation and gained rapid popularity through fairs and festivals, where its chili-topped chips became a crowd favorite. As demand grew, the brand expanded into malls and travel-centric locations, refining its menu and operational systems to support high-volume environments.
Support Training
Petro’s Chili & Chips offers end-to-end franchise support designed to ensure a smooth launch and sustainable long-term operations.
Pre-Launch Support
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Assistance with site selection and location approval
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Store layout, kiosk design, and space planning guidance
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Equipment standards and approved supplier access
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Licensing, permitting, and compliance assistance
Training Programs
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In-depth operational training covering food preparation and quality control
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POS system and inventory management training
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Staffing, scheduling, and workflow optimization
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Customer service and speed-of-service standards
Marketing & Brand Support
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Brand guidelines, signage standards, and menu boards
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Grand opening marketing strategies
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Ongoing promotional ideas tailored for high-traffic venues
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National brand marketing initiatives
Ongoing Support
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Field support and operational performance reviews
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Menu updates and new product introductions
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Continuous access to proven operating systems and best practices
Ideal Candidate
This franchise opportunity is ideal for:
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Entrepreneurs seeking a hands-on or semi-absentee food business
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Investors with backgrounds in foodservice, retail, or multi-unit operations
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Operators comfortable managing high-volume, fast-paced environments
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Business owners with access to high-traffic locations or venue partnerships
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Individuals with strong operational discipline and customer-service focus
Restaurant experience is helpful but not mandatory. Success is driven by execution, location quality, and adherence to proven systems.
Financial Detail
| Cost / Fee Category | Estimated Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000 – $35,000 |
| Total Investment Required | $250,000 – $600,000 |
| Minimum Investment Required | ~$250,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements / Build-Out | $120,000 – $300,000 |
| Equipment & Signage | $60,000 – $150,000 |
| Initial Inventory & Supplies | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Initial Marketing & Grand Opening | $10,000 – $25,000 |
| Working Capital (3–6 months) | $30,000 – $60,000 |
| Royalty Fee | ~5% of Gross Sales |
| Brand / Marketing Fund | ~1% – 2% of Gross Sales |
| Estimated Break-Even Period | 18 – 30 months |
| Expected ROI | Location & traffic dependent |
| Primary Revenue Streams | Chili & chips, baked potatoes, combo meals, add-ons |