Chick-fil-A vs Popeyes: franchise cost side by side

Chick-fil-A is the cheaper of the two to open, from $317,521; Popeyes starts at $1,222,045.

Every figure comes from the brand's FDD, the disclosure file it must hand you before you sign.

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Chick-fil-A is the cheaper to open, from $317,521.

Popeyes starts at $1,222,045, the lowest cost to open given in each FDD.

From each FDD	Chick-fil-A	Popeyes
Total cost to open	$317,521 to $3,463,155	$1,222,045 to $3,923,245
Upfront fee	$10,000	$50,000
Royalty (ongoing fee)	15% of gross receipts (less equipment rent and a services fee) plus 50% of the monthly profit	5% of gross sales
Marketing fund	up to 3.25% of gross receipts, not charged now	4.6% to 5% of gross sales
Published sales	$9,161,239 a year (average of 2,302 locations, 2025)	$1,893,675 a year (average of 2,248 locations, 2025)
Outlets	2,795 franchised, 68 company	3,134 franchised, 95 company
Year filed	2026	2026

More comparisons with Chick-fil-A and Popeyes

Every brand's fee, royalty and Item 7 range is also in one table you can download: the franchise fee comparison.

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