Church's Chicken vs Golden Chick Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Church's Chicken Franchise
Golden Chick Franchise
Investment $348,300 - $1,826,300$440,950 - $1,348,500
Franchise Fee $15,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 5%4%
Advertising Fee 5%1%
Year Founded 19521967
Year Franchised 19721972
Term Of Agreement 20 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years20 years
Renewal Fee $10K/15K$10K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Church's Chicken Franchise
Golden Chick Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience

  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • Financing Options

     
    Church's Chicken Franchise
    Golden Chick Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    Church's Chicken Franchise
    Golden Chick Franchise
    Training - On-The-Job Training: 140 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 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)

    28% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 12 - 15

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Church's Chicken Franchise
    Golden Chick Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    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.

    About Golden Chick

    Howard Walker opened the first Golden Fried Chicken location in San Marcos, Texas, in 1967. The restaurants, which served fried chicken, chicken tenders, mashed potatoes, biscuits and other favorites, quickly spread through Texas and Oklahoma. In 1996, the name was changed from Golden Fried Chicken to Golden Chick. The conversion included an image update and the addition of new menu items, such as Golden Roasted Chicken and a variety of new side items to go along with all the existing menu item favorites. Free-standing and co-branded units offer dine-in, takeout, drive-thru, catering and optional delivery service.

    The Original & Still the Best.
    Veteran Incentives  33.33% off franchise fee


    "Entrepreneur
    #334 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #302 in Franchise 500 for 2021.