Franchise Comparator

Dave's Hot Chicken vs Popeyes: franchise cost side by side

Dave's Hot Chicken is the cheaper of the two to open, from $823,800; Popeyes starts at $1,222,045.

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

Dave's Hot Chicken is the cheaper to open, from $823,800.

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

From each FDDDave's Hot Chicken logoDave's Hot ChickenPopeyes logoPopeyes
Total cost to open$823,800 to $4,121,900$1,222,045 to $3,923,245
Upfront fee$40,000$50,000
Royalty (ongoing fee)6% of gross sales5% of gross sales
Marketing fund4% of gross sales4.6% to 5% of gross sales
Published salesNone published$1,893,675 a year (average of 2,248 locations, 2025)
Outlets348 franchised, 10 company3,134 franchised, 95 company
Year filed20262026

Not sure which brands to pick? Get help choosing or browse the full table.

Read the full figures on the Dave's Hot Chicken franchise page and the Popeyes franchise page, or read how to compare franchise costs.

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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