Popeyes vs KFC: franchise cost side by side
Popeyes is the cheaper of the two to open, from $1,222,045; KFC starts at $2,107,575.
Every figure comes from the brand's FDD, the disclosure file it must hand you before you sign.
Popeyes is the cheaper to open, from $1,222,045.
KFC starts at $2,107,575, the lowest cost to open given in each FDD.
| From each FDD |  Popeyes |  KFC |
|---|
| Total cost to open | $1,222,045 to $3,923,245 | $2,107,575 to $4,155,000 |
|---|
| Upfront fee | $50,000 | $45,000 |
|---|
| Royalty (ongoing fee) | 5% of gross sales | 5% of gross revenue (at least $1,440 a month) |
|---|
| Marketing fund | 4.6% to 5% of gross sales | 5.8% of gross revenue for now, falling in later years |
|---|
| Published sales | $1,893,675 a year (average of 2,248 locations, 2025) | Published, no single figure |
|---|
| Outlets | 3,134 franchised, 95 company | 3,404 franchised, 86 company |
|---|
| Year filed | 2026 | 2026 |
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Not sure which brands to pick? Get help choosing or browse the full table.
More comparisons with Popeyes and KFC
- from $1.22Mvs
from $1.19MPopeyes vs Slim ChickensCost to open, Item 7, 2026 FDDs - from $1.22Mvs
from $1.45MPopeyes vs Zaxby'sCost to open, Item 7, 2026 and 2025 FDDs - from $1.22Mvs
from $824KPopeyes vs Dave's Hot ChickenCost to open, Item 7, 2026 FDDs - from $2.11Mvsfrom $1.45MKFC vs Zaxby'sCost to open, Item 7, 2026 and 2025 FDDs
- from $2.11Mvsfrom $1.19MKFC vs Slim ChickensCost to open, Item 7, 2026 FDDs
- from $2.11Mvsfrom $824KKFC vs Dave's Hot ChickenCost to open, Item 7, 2026 FDDs
Read the full figures on the Popeyes franchise page and the KFC 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.
