Franchise Comparator

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

Dave's Hot Chicken is the cheaper of the two to open, from $823,800; Zaxby's starts at $1,445,000.

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.

Zaxby's starts at $1,445,000, the lowest cost to open given in each FDD.

From each FDDDave's Hot Chicken logoDave's Hot ChickenZaxby's logoZaxby's
Total cost to open$823,800 to $4,121,900$1,445,000 to $3,810,500
Upfront fee$40,000$35,000
Royalty (ongoing fee)6% of gross sales6% of gross sales
Marketing fund4% of gross sales1.5% of gross sales
Published salesNone published$2,782,488 a year (average of 776 locations, 2024)
Outlets348 franchised, 10 company826 franchised, 143 company
Year filed20262025

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 Zaxby's 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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