Wingstop vs Church's Chicken Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Wingstop vs Church's Chicken including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Wingstop Franchise
Church's Chicken Franchise
Investment $376,300 - $724,200$348,300 - $1,826,300
Franchise Fee $30,000$15,000
Royalty Fee 6%5%
Advertising Fee 4%5%
Year Founded 19941952
Year Franchised 19981972
Term Of Agreement 10 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years20 years
Renewal Fee -$10K/15K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Wingstop Franchise
Church's Chicken Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience

  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Wingstop Franchise
    Church's Chicken Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/YesNo/No
    Payroll No/YesNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Wingstop Franchise
    Church's Chicken Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 139 hours Classroom Training: 48 hours-
    Support Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
    Operations 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8 - 10

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 60% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Wingstop Franchise
    Church's Chicken Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About Wingstop

    Wingstop Franchising LLC is the franchisor. Wingstop restaurants offer chicken wings in a variety of highly-seasoned flavors. They also offer fresh-cut French fries, other foods, and beverages, including beer and wine where legally permitted. A Wingstop franchise entitles the franchisee to operate one restaurant at an approved location.

    Veteran Incentives   $15,000 off first-store franchise fee
    ""      "Entrepreneur

    #42 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #22 in Franchise 500 for 2021.






    About Church's Chicken

    The first "Church's Fried Chicken to Go" was located in downtown San Antonio, across the street from the Alamo. The restaurant sold only fried chicken. Church added French fries and jalape'os to the menu in 1955. George Church's idea paid off, and at the time of his death in 1956, four Church's were open. Other members of the family became active in the business, and by 1962 the chain had grown to eight locations in San Antonio. By 1989, Church's was the second-largest chicken franchise organization in the United States. That was the year it merged with the number three chicken chain, Popeyes' Famous Chicken & Biscuits, headquartered in New Orleans. The Church's concept remained distinct and separate from Popeyes'. Known for its Southern-style chicken, Church's also serves Southern specialties including fried okra, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and its unique honey butter biscuits. It's your time to grow and Church's Chicken has the brand strength, innovative spirit and long-standing experience to position you for business growth and success. Future Church's franchisees will recognize this rich heritage and pride themselves on maintaining this tradition over time. If this is you - Welcome.

    The total investment necessary to begin the operation of a new free-standing Church’s Chicken Restaurant ranges from $1,159,150 to $1,603,300 for the 2200 Model, $1,097,150 to $1,541,300 for the 1850 Model and $681,500 or $959,800 for the End Cap Model. Each of these estimates includes a $10,000 Development Fee and a $15,000 Initial Franchise Fee that must be paid to Cajun by new franchisees. If you plan to develop multiple Church’s Chicken Restaurants, you will pay a Development Fee in the amount of $10,000 multiplied by the number of Restaurants that you plan to develop.