At Church’s Chicken, they put love into every piece of food they serve: it’s hand-battered, made from scratch, and drizzled with sweet honey butter. They bake everything in small batches all day long, so it’s piping hot and ready when you are. Their original (or spicy!) chicken pairs delightfully with dipping sauces and signature sides. The Church's Chicken prides itself on a rich heritage and on maintaining our tasty traditions over time.

Find the right franchise for you. Take our quiz!

A Humble Start for Church’s Chicken Franchise

When George W. Church, Sr. opened “Church’s Fried Chicken To-Go” in 1952, the only thing on the menu was fried chicken. In 1955, Church’s added jalapeños and fries, and has since expanded to a full range of traditional Southern sides, including macaroni and cheese, fried okra, corn, and made-from-scratch honey butter biscuits. Today, Church has nearly 1,700 locations in 26 countries around the world (though it’s known as Texas Chicken outside of the United States).

Church’s Chicken Franchise Opportunities - History

George W. Church founded Church’s Chicken in 1952. In San Antonio, he opened the initial “Church’s Fried Chicken to Go”, which sold nothing but fried chicken, eventually adding a couple of sides three years later. The business has grown to have over 1,700 stores around the world and sales reach about $1.2 billion annually.

How Much Does Owning A Church’s Chicken Franchise Cost?

Church’s Chicken has a franchisee of $15,000 and a development fee of $20,000. The total initial investment ranges from $191,300 to $1,101,600 depending on the size of the restaurant. Church’s Chicken franchisees are charged 5% of their gross sales toward royalties, plus an additional 5% applied toward advertising efforts. Potential franchisees are expected to have a net worth that exceeds $1,500,000 with at least $650,000 available in liquid assets.

Church’s Chicken Business Franchise Opportunities: Other Information

Serving three million customers each week, Church’s Chicken captures a large share of the fried chicken market. With 85% of all Church’s Chicken locations being franchises, it’s clear that the company prioritizes teaming with local entrepreneurs to help its business grow.

At the present time, Church’s Chicken is most interested in franchising in South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Washington, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. However, most states do have limited opportunities for franchisees to explore. International franchising is also available. With more than 450 Church’s Chicken stores in 22 foreign countries, a program is well established to help this particular business succeed in foreign markets.