Slim Chickens vs Zaxby's: franchise cost side by side
Slim Chickens is the cheaper of the two to open, from $1,188,900; 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.
Slim Chickens is the cheaper to open, from $1,188,900.
Zaxby's starts at $1,445,000, the lowest cost to open given in each FDD.
| From each FDD | Slim Chickens | Zaxby's |
|---|
| Total cost to open | $1,188,900 to $4,944,000 | $1,445,000 to $3,810,500 |
|---|
| Upfront fee | $30,000 | $35,000 |
|---|
| Royalty (ongoing fee) | 5% of gross sales | 6% of gross sales |
|---|
| Marketing fund | 2% of gross sales | 1.5% of gross sales |
|---|
| Published sales | $2,351,047 a year (average of 166 locations, 2025) | $2,782,488 a year (average of 776 locations, 2024) |
|---|
| Outlets | 204 franchised, 11 company | 826 franchised, 143 company |
|---|
| Year filed | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|
Not sure which brands to pick? Get help choosing or browse the full table.
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Read the full figures on the Slim Chickens 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.