Chicken Salad Chick brings Southern-style hospitality and made-from-scratch chicken salad to a fast-casual format that has quietly grown into a multi-state success story. For entrepreneurs looking at the food-service space, this is a brand with a distinctive niche, a loyal following, and an established franchise system built over more than a decade.
Franchise · Food & Restaurant
Chicken Salad Chick Franchise
Southern hospitality and scratch-made chicken salad in a proven 330+ unit franchise system
$50,000
franchise fee
USD 777k – 1Mk
investment
330
U.S. locations
How much does a Chicken Salad Chick franchise cost?
Franchise fee
Amount paid when signing the contract
$50,000
Total investment
Estimated total budget for the opening
$777,000 – $1,033,500
Ongoing royalty
5%
Advertising royalty
2%
Contract term
10 years
Locations in the U.S.
330
Locations worldwide
330
Figures declared by the franchisor — sources and verification date at the bottom of the page.
What it's about
- Founded
- 2008
- Units in the market
- 330
- Locations
- 330
- Type of business
- Fast-casual restaurant specializing in made-from-scratch chicken salad
- Company
- Chicken Salad Chick
Fact sheet
The right questions before you start
Why the growth numbers matter for prospective owners
Chicken Salad Chick has expanded to more than 330 locations across roughly 22 to 25 states, with additional restaurants already in development. Every existing location operates under franchise ownership, meaning there is no competing corporate-store model working against franchisees. The brand offers exclusive territories, so owners are not competing against each other for the same customer base, and it supports both single-unit operators and multi-unit developers through Area Development Agreements for qualified candidates.
How much does it cost to open a Chicken Salad Chick franchise?
Total investment ranges from approximately $777,000 to $1,033,500, which includes a $50,000 initial franchise fee and a $10,000 grand-opening fee. This covers buildout, equipment, initial inventory, and other startup costs. Specific liquidity or net-worth requirements are not published and would be detailed in the Franchise Disclosure Document, so contact the brand directly for a full financial breakdown.
How does the Chicken Salad Chick franchise model work?
Franchisees operate restaurants serving chicken salad made fresh daily in-house, paired with a Southern hospitality-focused dining experience. All locations are franchised, with exclusive territories granted to owners. The company offers both single-unit ownership and multi-unit Area Development Agreements for qualified candidates who want to open several restaurants in one designated territory.
Do I need restaurant experience to become a Chicken Salad Chick franchisee?
No, prior restaurant experience is not required, though it can be helpful. The brand prioritizes candidates with strong leadership skills, team-management experience, and a willingness to be active in their local community. Chicken Salad Chick provides training designed to teach the operational side of running the restaurant successfully.
What kind of support does Chicken Salad Chick provide to franchisees?
Franchisees receive hands-on training, marketing support, and ongoing operational guidance from the corporate team. Support extends to site selection and real estate assistance during the opening process. The franchisee community also gathers multiple times per year, giving owners a network of peers to exchange advice and support as their businesses grow.
How many Chicken Salad Chick locations are there today?
Chicken Salad Chick operates more than 330 restaurants, all franchised, across roughly 22 to 25 U.S. states, with additional locations already in development. The brand has been expanding steadily since it began franchising in 2012 and continues to target new metro markets across the country for future growth.
Sources and data verification
The figures on this page come from the following sources:
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Chicken Salad Chick
Investment $777,000 to $1,033,500