Chicken Salad Chick Franchise Costs, Fees & Owner Salary (2023)

INVESTMENT

$745,000

-

$991,000

LOCATIONS

220

Emily

Updated

May 2, 2024

Is

Chicken Salad Chick

a franchise?

Yes,
Chicken Salad Chick
currently
accepts
franchise
applications

Chicken Salad Chick is a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in chicken salad, founded in 2008 by Stacy and Kevin Brown in Auburn, Alabama. The concept originated from Stacy Brown's homemade chicken salad, which she initially sold door-to-door. Due to health department regulations, the Browns decided to open a dedicated restaurant to continue their business.

The franchise quickly expanded, with the company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, reflecting its rapid growth and Southern roots. Chicken Salad Chick began franchising in 2012, four years after it was founded. The franchise has since expanded significantly, offering various franchise models to suit different real estate opportunities in franchisees' locations.

The menu at Chicken Salad Chick features a variety of chicken salad flavors, offered in several styles including on bread, lettuce, or as a scoop with crackers. In addition to its signature chicken salads, the restaurant also serves pimento cheese, egg salad, and a selection of side dishes and desserts. The chain prides itself on offering fresh, scratch-made, Southern-style favorites served with a touch of hospitality, reminiscent of dining at a friend's home.

How many

Chicken Salad Chick

franchises

are there?

In 2022, there were
220
outlets in
the United
States, of which
157
are franchises, and
63
are corporate-owned.

What are the

Chicken Salad Chick

franchise

fees?

Advertising fee

2% to 4%

Initial Franchise Fee ($50,000 )

The initial franchise fee for the first Chicken Salad Chick restaurant is $50,000. For subsequent locations, the fee is $45,000. Additionally, a grand opening marketing fee of $10,000 is required for each location.

Royalty (5% of Gross Sales)

Franchisees are required to pay a continuing royalty fee of 5% of Gross Sales, with a minimum of $600. This fee is due semi-monthly on the 5th and 20th of each month.

Advertising (2% of Gross Sales)

Franchisees are required to contribute to the Brand Fund. While the franchisor has the right to require up to 4% of Gross Sales as a Brand Fund contribution, currently, franchisees are required to pay 2% of Gross Sales. Additionally, franchisees have a local advertising requirement where they must spend, as a minimum, 1% of their monthly Gross Sales on local advertising.

Note: The fees presented here can be found in the Item 5 of the Franchise Disclosure Document. For a complete list of all the fees borne by the franchisee, please consult the Franchise Disclosure Document.

How much does

it cost

to start a

Chicken Salad Chick

franchise?

It costs between
$745,000
and
$991,000
to start a
Chicken Salad Chick
franchise.

Opening a Chicken Salad Chick franchise involves various expenditures, from initial fees to setup costs. The total estimated initial investment for a non-Drive-Thru Chicken Salad Chick location ranges between $744,500 and $960,500. For those interested in a Drive-Thru option, the investment is estimated to be between $764,300 and $990,500. The following table provides a detailed breakdown of these costs:

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial franchisee fee $50,000
Grand Opening Marketing Fee $10,000
Rent (1 month) and Security Deposit $6,000 - $11,000
Leasehold Improvements $400,000 - $500,000
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment $175,000 - $225,000
Décor Package $15,000 - $20,000
Branded Merchandise $9,000 - $10,000
Inventory $12,000 - $13,000
Signage $12,000 - $25,000
Drive Thru Package (Drive-Thru Only) $20,000 - $30,000
Computer Equipment and Software $20,000 - $30,000
Permits and Licenses $500 - $2,500
Insurance (6 months) $2,500 - $3,500
Training (transportation, lodging, etc. for 3 people) $2,500 - $5,000
Other deposits and prepaid expenses $0 - $5,500
Professional Fees (Attorney, Architect, etc.) $10,000 - $20,000
Additional Funds—3 months $20,000 - $30,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment (all locations other than Drive-Thru locations) $744,500 - $960,500
Total Estimated Initial Investment (Drive-Thru locations only) $764,300 - $990,500

Note: The table above provides a snapshot of the main costs associated with starting the most common franchise format (as disclosed in the Item 7 of the Franchise Disclosure Document). For a complete overview of all the expenses involved with the various formats offered by the franchisor, please consult the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Does

Chicken Salad Chick

provide

training

to its

franchisees?

Yes,
Chicken Salad Chick
provides
training

When it comes to ensuring the success of their franchisees, Chicken Salad Chick offers a comprehensive training program. This program is designed not just to uphold the brand's reputation but also to equip franchisees with the necessary skills and knowledge to run their restaurant efficiently. It includes on-the-job instruction on:

- Basic business procedures
- Equipment operation and maintenance
- Scheduling
- Basic accounting principles
- Computer operations
- Advertising and promotion
- Purchasing procedures
- Food preparation, safety, presentation, and quality
- Food and beverage inventory and cost control
- Customer service
- Janitorial service
- General maintenance

Before they can commence their business operations, they must attend and successfully complete this training program. The program is scheduled to run for a minimum of two weeks.

Does

Chicken Salad Chick

provides

territory

protection?

Franchisees of Chicken Salad Chick are not granted an exclusive territory. They are given the right to own and operate a Chicken Salad Chick restaurant at a specific location, and they cannot conduct the business of their restaurant at any other site.

The Franchise Agreement does not allow franchisees to use other channels of distribution, including the internet. Furthermore, the agreement does not provide any options, rights of first refusal, or similar rights to acquire additional franchises.

If a franchisee does not have a designated site for the restaurant when signing the Franchise Agreement, they must search for that site within a geographic area specified in the agreement, and the site must be approved by the franchisor.

Can a

Chicken Salad Chick

franchise

be run as

a passive

investment?

The franchise must be overseen either by the franchisee or by an Operating Partner.This Operating Partner should be an owner with at least a 10% interest in the franchisee entity.

The brand emphasizes that the Operating Partner should be dedicated to the operation of the restaurant and may not be involved in, operate, or manage any other business without prior written approval from Chicken Salad Chick.

Furthermore, the restaurant must have a dedicated General Manager present every day. If the Operating Partner isn't operating the restaurant on-site each day, this General Manager fills that role.This General Manager doesn't need to have an equity interest in the franchisee or the restaurant.

However, all management personnel, including this General Manager, are required to complete Chicken Salad Chick's training program and sign confidentiality agreements.

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