CityBird^®

Food & Beverage • Year: 2025

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What Is CityBird?

CityBird is an upscale, sophisticated fast-casual franchise focused on freshly prepared chicken tenders, chicken tender sandwiches, salads, sides, and non-alcoholic beverages made with proprietary marinades and sauces. Franchisees operate Restaurants for on-premises and off-premises consumption. With prior approval, Restaurants may be permitted to serve craft beer and wine.

CityBird Franchise: Pros and Cons

The franchise's standout strength is a 100 Training and Support Score (top quarter) combined with zero lawsuits, zero outlet terminations and zero reacquisitions, which should speed ramp-up and support predictable cash flow; the main risk is that no cons were disclosed, which could indicate limited public disclosure or a small operating history.

Pros

The 100 Training and Support Score is well above typical for all franchise systems (top quarter). That level of support should shorten your ramp-up, reduce early operational mistakes, and lower the hands-on training burden for you and your staff.

Zero disclosed lawsuits, zero franchisee‑initiated judgments or settlements, zero government penalties, and zero franchisor enforcement actions — unusually low for Food & Beverage (bottom 5%). That clean legal and compliance record reduces the likelihood of legacy legal costs and suggests the franchisor manages franchisee relationships without frequent formal disputes.

Zero outlet terminations, zero non‑renewals, zero signed-but-not-open outlets, and zero reacquired outlets — all well below typical for Food & Beverage (bottom 5%). Those metrics point to strong operator retention and timely openings, which supports more predictable cash flow and simpler local planning.

Cons

Lawsuits & Legal Risk

100

Excellent

The franchise reported no material legal proceedings.

Territory Protection

48/100

NORMAL

Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units. The franchisor retains rights to develop nearby units, sell via e‑commerce and alternative distribution channels (retail and event venues), acquire and convert sites, and apply trademarks, with protection contingent on meeting performance contingencies and subject to relocation rights.

Training & Support

100

Excellent

The brand provides a comprehensive 200-hour training curriculum designed to prepare three managerial staff members for launch. The program includes on-site launch assistance to support operational readiness; travel and lodging expenses are the franchisee's responsibility, and certain on-site support services carry additional costs.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a CityBird Franchise?

Opening a CityBird franchise requires a total initial investment of $292,500 to $957,000, 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

$292,500

Franchise Fee

Real Estate

Equipment & Assets

Reserves

Training

Other

Maximum Investment

$957,000

Minimum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$35,000

Real Estate$155,000

Equipment & Assets$69,000

Reserves$20,000

Training$500

Other$13,000

Maximum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$35,000

Real Estate$568,500

Equipment & Assets$270,000

Reserves$50,000

Training$10,000

Other$23,500

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.

How Much Do CityBird Franchise Owners Make?

CityBird franchise locations reported average gross sales of $605,024 and median gross sales of $605,204 in 2025, based on financial performance data disclosed in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Average Gross Sales:

$605,024

Median Gross Sales:

$605,204

High Gross Sales:

$690,084

Low Gross Sales:

$519,964

Sample Size:

Percent Attaining Average:

50.0%

Franchise vs Corporate Performance: In 2024 affiliate-owned locations reported materially higher average gross revenue than franchised locations (affiliate average 1,354,783 vs franchised average 605,024), indicating current franchise units are underperforming relative to affiliate outlets in this dataset.

Performance Variability Analysis: Franchised unit gross revenues ranged from 519,964 to 690,084 in 2024, a difference of 170,120, but the sample is only two units so variability conclusions are limited by sample size.

Data Scope and Limitations: The data are unaudited, geographically concentrated (Cincinnati area), and expense figures are reported only as percentages for affiliate-owned locations, limiting direct comparability and forecast reliability.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to open a CityBird franchise?

The total initial investment for a CityBird franchise ranges from $292,500 to $957,000, according to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and working capital.

What is the CityBird initial franchise fee?

The initial franchise fee for CityBird is $35,000, as stated in the 2025 FDD. This fee is paid upon signing the Franchise Agreement.

How much do CityBird franchise owners make?

CityBird franchise locations reported average gross sales of $605,024 and median gross sales of $605,204 in 2025, based on Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document. Actual earnings vary by location, market, and operator experience.

Does CityBird have any franchise lawsuits or legal issues?

CityBird received a legal risk score of 100 out of 100 in the 2025 FDD analysis. The franchise reported no material legal proceedings.

Does CityBird offer exclusive franchise territories?

CityBird received a territory protection score of 48 out of 100. Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units.

What training does CityBird provide to new franchisees?

CityBird received a training and support score of 100 out of 100. The brand provides a comprehensive 200-hour training curriculum designed to prepare three managerial staff members for launch.