Marble Slab Creamery vs Chick-fil-A: franchise cost side by side
Chick-fil-A is the cheaper of the two to open, from $317,521; Marble Slab Creamery starts at $354,500.
Every figure comes from the brand's FDD, the disclosure file it must hand you before you sign.
Chick-fil-A is the cheaper to open, from $317,521.
Marble Slab Creamery starts at $354,500, the lowest cost to open given in each FDD.
| From each FDD | Marble Slab Creamery | Chick-fil-A |
|---|
| Total cost to open | $354,500 to $476,650 | $317,521 to $3,463,155 |
|---|
| Upfront fee | $25,000 | $10,000 |
|---|
| Royalty (ongoing fee) | 6% of net sales | 15% of gross receipts (less equipment rent and a services fee) plus 50% of the monthly profit |
|---|
| Marketing fund | 2% of net sales | up to 3.25% of gross receipts, not charged now |
|---|
| Published sales | $480,828 a year (average of 195 locations, 2024) | $9,161,239 a year (average of 2,302 locations, 2025) |
|---|
| Outlets | 249 franchised, 0 company | 2,795 franchised, 68 company |
|---|
| Year filed | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|
Not sure which brands to pick? Get help choosing or browse the full table.
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Read the full figures on the Marble Slab Creamery franchise page and the Chick-fil-A 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.