The Top 10 Chicken Franchises of 2025

The hen franchise scene is scorching — iconic legacy manufacturers like Popeyes, KFC, and Wingstop proceed dominating with confirmed techniques and widespread recognition, whereas quick‑informal newcomers are carving out their area of interest with daring flavors and trendy ideas. Mixed, these prime contenders supply entrepreneurs a robust combine of name power, operational help, and excessive client demand, making chicken-centric franchising one of many hottest development sectors in meals service right this moment.

The manufacturers on this checklist earned their spot on Entrepreneur‘s 2025 Franchise 500, our annual rating of the strongest franchise techniques, based mostly on components like unit development, model stability and monetary efficiency. Whether or not you are on the lookout for a globally acknowledged title or a rising idea with momentum, these hen franchises characterize among the finest alternatives within the business proper now.

Associated: Contemplating franchise possession? Get began now to search out your personalised checklist of franchises that match your way of life, pursuits and funds.

1. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

• Based: 1972
• Franchising since: 1976
• Total rank: 4
• Variety of items: 4,796
• Change in items: +34.2% over 3 years
• Preliminary funding: $471,000 – $3,875,700
• Management: Jeff Klein, President
• Mum or dad firm: Restaurant Manufacturers Int’l.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, ranked #4 in Entrepreneur’s 2025 Franchise 500, boasts practically 4,800 items within the U.S. and 35+ nations — up 34% in three years — backed by robust model help, entrepreneurial steering, and strong coaching packages. In a savvy development transfer, Popeyes has expanded into airports and faculty campuses to construct model affinity in excessive‑site visitors areas, complementing its viral hen sandwich and new wings lineup

Associated: What Popeyes’ Viral Menu Technique Can Educate You About Staying Related

2. Wingstop

• Based: 1994
• Franchising since: 1998
• Total rank: 11
• Variety of items: 2,352
• Change in items: +44.8% over 3 years
• Preliminary funding: $259,400 – $912,100
• Management: Michael Skipworth, President & CEO
• Mum or dad firm: Wingstop Eating places Inc.

Wingstop has soared to greater than 2,350 areas worldwide, fueled by its well-known wings, streamlined operations and daring digital technique. With a low-labor mannequin and powerful unit economics, the model has grown practically 45% prior to now three years. Ranked #11 on Entrepreneur’s 2025 Franchise 500, Wingstop helps franchisees with complete coaching and expansive territory rights. It is a favourite amongst multi-unit operators because of its scalable setup and deal with taste innovation.

Associated: This Modern Transfer Retains Wingstop Flying Excessive

3. KFC

• Based: 1930
• Franchising since: 1952
• Total rank: 21
• Variety of items: 30,680
• Change in items: +19.5% over 3 years
• Preliminary funding: $1,852,825 – $3,771,550
• Management: Tarun Lal, President
• Mum or dad firm: Yum! Manufacturers Inc.

KFC stays some of the iconic names in quick meals, with an enormous world presence and a menu constructed round its signature authentic recipe. Backed by a long time of name recognition, franchisees acquire entry to strong coaching, proprietary techniques and ongoing area help. Whereas the funding is important, the model affords unmatched scale and endurance. For entrepreneurs in search of a legacy title with world attain, KFC, #21 on the 2025 Francise 500, continues to be a prime contender.

Associated: KFC Is Transferring Its Company Headquarters Out of Kentucky. Here is What We Know.

4. Slim Chickens

• Based: 2003
• Franchising since: 2011
• Total rank: 81
• Variety of items: 251
• Change in items: +109.2% over 3 years
• Preliminary funding: $1,522,900 – $4,439,000
• Management: Sam Rothschild, COO & Accomplice
• Mum or dad firm: Slim Chickens

Slim Chickens brings Southern consolation meals to the fast-casual house, serving recent, hand-breaded tenders, wings, and hen & waffles alongside signature dipping sauces and indulgent jar desserts. Since launching its franchise program in 2011, the model has grown to over 250 areas with robust momentum in each the U.S. and worldwide markets. Backed by strong coaching, advertising and marketing help and a hospitality-driven tradition, Slim Chickens appeals to franchisees on the lookout for a contemporary, scalable idea with loyal followers — identified affectionately as “Slimthusiasts.”

Associated: She Was a Lawyer with No Restaurant Expertise. Now, She’s Reviving an Iconic Restaurant Chain.

5. Golden Chick

• Based: 1967
• Franchising since: 1972
• Total rank: 92
• Variety of items: 231
• Change in items: +12.7% over 3 years
• Preliminary funding: $810,250 – $1,852,800
• Management: Mark Parmerlee, CEO
• Mum or dad firm: Golden Franchising Corp.

Golden Chick is a seasoned Southern-style hen franchise with roots courting again to 1967. Recognized for its signature hand-breaded Golden Tenders, the model has constructed a loyal following throughout the South and Midwest. With greater than 230 areas and counting, Golden Chick affords franchisees robust operational help, complete coaching and advertising and marketing steering. It is a stable possibility for each first-time homeowners and skilled operators on the lookout for a reliable, scalable enterprise with regional attraction.

Associated: I Walked Away From a Company Profession to Begin My Personal Small Enterprise — Here is Why You Ought to Do the Identical

6. Zaxby’s

• Based: 1990
• Franchising since: 1994
• Total rank: 109
• Variety of items: 960
• Change in items: +5.7% over 3 years
• Preliminary funding: $1,406,700 – $3,323,200
• Management: Mike Mettler, CDO
• Mum or dad firm: Zaxby’s SPE Franchisor LLC

Zaxby’s stands out within the fast-casual hen house with its crave-worthy hen fingers, wings, hearty sandwiches, and signature “Zalads,” all paired with daring dipping sauces. With practically 1,000 areas — predominantly within the Southern U.S. — Zaxby’s ranked #109 in Entrepreneur‘s 2025 Franchise 500 and continues to climb. Franchisees obtain robust help, from website choice and coaching to advertising and marketing and proprietary tech. Recognized for its hospitality and group focus, it is a stable alternative for operators eyeing recent fast-casual development.

Associated: This One Management Transfer Will Rework Your Crew’s Loyalty and Efficiency

7. Bojangles

• Based: 1977
• Franchising since: 1978
• Total rank: 145
• Variety of items: 813
• Change in items: +4.9% over 3 years
• Preliminary funding: $720,220 – $3,779,700
• Management: Jose Armario, CEO
• Mum or dad firm: The Jordan Firm & Durational Capital Administration LP

Bojangles focuses on Cajun-seasoned fried hen and buttermilk biscuits, constructing a loyal following since its 1977 debut in Charlotte. The model ranks #145 on Entrepreneur‘s 2025 Franchise 500 and has expanded to greater than 800 areas with regular multi-year development. Franchisees profit from complete help—together with website choice, in-depth coaching, advertising and marketing help, and proprietary instruments — together with robust group branding rooted in Southern hospitality, making it a standout alternative within the fast-food hen class.

Associated: Her Postpartum-Impressed Aspect Hustle Hit $30,000 Income in 2 Months — Now It is Making About $500,000 a 12 months: ‘I Actually Love All the pieces About It’

8. Chester’s

• Based: 1952
• Franchising since: 2004
• Total rank: 237
• Variety of items: 1,062
• Change in items: -16% over 3 years
• Preliminary funding: $27,500 – $296,500
• Management: Wynn Giles, Managing Director
• Mum or dad firm: N/A

Chester’s brings recent, never-frozen, double-breaded fried hen to comfort shops, supermarkets, and journey stops throughout the U.S., utilizing a secret household recipe that is constructed a loyal following. With over 1,000 areas, the model has turn out to be a staple in high-traffic, nontraditional venues. Ranked #237 on Entrepreneur‘s 2025 Franchise 500, Chester’s affords streamlined startup prices, robust coaching, advertising and marketing help and a recognizable “Fried With Love” identification — superb for operators in search of a easy, scalable hen idea.

Associated: Promoting as a Founder Is Brutal — It Was Additionally the Cause We Reached $400M in Income

9. Church’s Texas Rooster

• Based: 1952
• Franchising since: 1969
• Total rank: 402
• Variety of items: 1,532
• Change in items: +5.4% over 3 years
• Preliminary funding: $648,866 – $1,896,300
• Management: Roland Gonzalez, CEO
• Mum or dad firm: Cajun World LLC

Church’s Texas Rooster brings daring, bone‑in fried hen, honey‑butter biscuits, and flavorful sides to excessive‑site visitors areas like malls, comfort stops, and drive‑ins. Launched in 1952 in San Antonio, it has grown steadily to over 1,500 items throughout greater than 20 nations. Ranked #402 on Entrepreneur‘s 2025 Franchise 500, the model combines legacy enchantment with trendy development help — actual‑property experience, thorough coaching, advertising and marketing instruments and supply-chain backing — providing entrepreneurs a resilient, hospitality-driven funding in consolation‑meals franchising.

Associated: Why Hustle Tradition Is the Most Harmful Lie Founders Nonetheless Imagine

10. Dave’s Sizzling Rooster

• Based: 2018
• Franchising since: 2019
• Total rank: 453
• Variety of items: 211
• Change in items: +1,072.2% over 3 years
• Preliminary funding: $619,800 – $1,963,000
• Management: Invoice Phelps, CEO
• Mum or dad firm: Roark Capital

Dave’s Sizzling Rooster has ignited a foodie frenzy with its Nashville‑fashion scorching hen tenders and sliders, provided in seven spice ranges and paired with easy sides like mac-and-cheese. Since franchising started in 2019, it is surged to over 200 U.S. areas and climbed into Entrepreneur‘s 2025 Franchise 500, rating #453 — up practically 30 spots — because of explosive unit development and viral enchantment. Backed by celeb traders and now owned by Roark Capital, Dave’s brings daring taste and powerful franchise help to hot-casual hen lovers.

Associated: A Sizzling Rooster Chain Based in 2017 Was Simply Acquired for $1 Billion: ‘One of many Nice Entrepreneurial Journeys of our Time’