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

Outstanding onboarding and field support-a training and support score of 100 plus zero disclosed lawsuits, penalties, terminations, or reacquired outlets-suggests very low operator churn and strong legal standing; the main risk is that having no listed cons may reflect limited public disclosure, leaving potential undisclosed issues.

Pros

The 100 training and support score is well above typical (top quarter), indicating very strong onboarding and ongoing field support that should shorten your ramp-up time and reduce early operating mistakes.

Zero disclosed lawsuits, settlements, government penalties, franchisor enforcement actions, or fraud cases-well below typical-gives the brand a clean legal profile and lowers the risk of inheriting costly system-wide disputes.

Zero outlet non‑renewals, zero terminations, and zero reacquired outlets (bottom 5%) point to unusually low operator churn, which supports steadier cash flow and preserves resale value.

Cons

Lawsuits & Legal Risk

100

Excellent

CityBird reported no material legal proceedings,

Territory Protection

43/100

NORMAL

CityBird grants a protected territory-typically a 1 to 3 mile radius (smaller in Central Business Districts)-with boundaries fixed during the initial term. The franchisor retains the right to develop additional units in the surrounding market, reserves site-specific rights, may sell via alternative channels/e‑commerce, and conditions exclusivity on performance contingencies.

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%

Audit Status:

Unaudited

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

Is CityBird a good franchise to own?

Whether CityBird is a good franchise depends on your goals, experience, and local market. Key factors from the 2025 FDD: CityBird operates 8 locations, received a legal risk score of 100/100, a training and support score of 100/100. Financial performance data is disclosed in Item 19. Prospective franchisees should review the full Franchise Disclosure Document and consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decision.

Is a CityBird franchise worth the investment?

The value of a CityBird franchise investment depends on factors such as location, operator experience, and market demand. The initial investment ranges from $292,500 to $957,000. CityBird disclosed average gross sales of $605,024 in 2025. Franchise investments carry inherent risk, and prospective buyers should conduct thorough due diligence before committing capital.

How long does it take to break even with a CityBird franchise?

Break-even timelines for CityBird franchises are not disclosed in the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Break-even periods vary significantly based on initial investment level, local market conditions, operating costs, and revenue ramp-up speed. Prospective franchisees should build a pro forma financial model using Item 7 cost estimates and, where available, Item 19 financial performance data from the FDD.

Is CityBird a franchise or a corporate-owned business?

As of the 2025 FDD, CityBird operates 2 franchised locations and 6 company-owned locations. Franchise opportunities are available through the franchisor's disclosure process.

Interested in CityBird?

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