Big Chicken®
What Is Big Chicken?
Big Chicken is a fast-casual restaurant concept featuring freshly-prepared chicken sandwiches and chicken tenders, along with side dishes, salads, ice cream, and non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. The concept operates in a fast-casual service format to serve the general public, and its offerings include the sale of alcoholic beverages.
Big Chicken Franchise: Pros and Cons
The franchisor provides exceptional operator preparation, with a 100 training-and-support score and 260 hours of initial training—both figures in the top 10%—showing heavy investment before opening. However, startup costs are high: Item 7 assets are listed at $267,500–$530,000, well above typical and likely to increase financing difficulty.
Pros
Cons
Lawsuits & Legal Risk
The Facts: Big Chicken initiated active enforcement of development obligations, alleging a franchisee failed to open restaurants, breached personal guarantees and interfered with franchise relationships; the franchisee removed the case and filed counterclaims, and litigation remains pending. The Advice: Review development timelines, guarantee language, post‑termination covenants, Item 12 protections and indemnities.
Territory Protection
Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units. Franchisor retains rights to develop additional units, sell via e-commerce and retail, and operate through alternative distribution channels; protection is contingent on performance quotas and may be reduced for non-performance, reflecting market density and site-specific rights.
Training & Support
Big Chicken provides an Extensive 260-hour training curriculum designed to prepare four managerial staff members for launch, combining classroom instruction, hands-on operational training, and systems and process familiarization. The program includes on-site launch support focused on operational readiness, with travel and living expenses to be managed by the franchisee and additional on-site support available for a separate fee.
Unit Growth Analysis
This franchise has moved from a brief contraction (6 → 5 units in 2023, −16.7%) to rapid expansion, rising to 13 units in 2024 (+160% YoY) and 24 units in 2025 (+84.6% YoY). For investors this signals materially improved franchise health—net unit additions increased from −1 (2023) to +8 (2024) to +11 (2025), showing scalable growth—though the percentage growth rate has eased from 160% to 84.6% as the base enlarged, so monitor whether unit economics and operational support keep pace with larger absolute expansion.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a Big Chicken Franchise?
Opening a Big Chicken franchise requires a total initial investment of $681,500 to $1,535,500, according to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. This range covers the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and initial working capital needed to launch and operate through the early months.
Minimum Investment
Maximum Investment
Minimum Investment Breakdown
Maximum Investment Breakdown
Investment Analysis
This investment analysis is coming soon. Have ideas for other analyses you'd like us to add? Get in touch.
The initial investment amounts shown are estimates only. Actual costs may vary based on location size, business model, and multi-unit ownership arrangements. We recommend reviewing the full Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.
Big Chicken Franchise Earnings: Not Disclosed
Big Chicken did not disclose financial performance data (Item 19) in their 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Not all franchisors choose to publish this information, which can make it harder for prospective owners to evaluate expected revenue before investing.
This franchise company did not publish these results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a Big Chicken franchise?
The total initial investment for a Big Chicken franchise ranges from $681,500 to $1,535,500, according to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and working capital.
What is the Big Chicken initial franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee for Big Chicken is $40,000, as stated in the 2025 FDD. This fee is paid upon signing the Franchise Agreement.
Does Big Chicken disclose franchise revenue data?
Big Chicken did not disclose financial performance data (Item 19) in their 2025 FDD. Not all franchisors choose to publish this information.
Does Big Chicken have any franchise lawsuits or legal issues?
Big Chicken received a legal risk score of 61 out of 100 in the 2025 FDD analysis. The Facts: Big Chicken initiated active enforcement of development obligations, alleging a franchisee failed to open restaurants, breached personal guarantees and interfered with franchise relationships; the franchisee removed the case and filed counterclaims, and litigation remains pending.
Does Big Chicken offer exclusive franchise territories?
Big Chicken received a territory protection score of 45 out of 100. Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units.
What training does Big Chicken provide to new franchisees?
Big Chicken received a training and support score of 100 out of 100. Big Chicken provides an Extensive 260-hour training curriculum designed to prepare four managerial staff members for launch, combining classroom instruction, hands-on operational training, and systems and process familiarization.
How many Big Chicken franchise locations are there?
Big Chicken had 24 total locations as of the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document.
What type of business is Big Chicken?
Big Chicken is a fast-casual restaurant concept featuring freshly-prepared chicken sandwiches and chicken tenders, along with side dishes, salads, ice cream, and non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages.
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