Golden Chick vs Chick-fil-A Franchise Comparison

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.

#334 in Franchise 500 for 2020.

#302 in Franchise 500 for 2021.

It all started in 1946 when Truett Cathy opened his first restaurant, The Dwarf Grill, in Hapeville, Georgia. Credited with inventing the boneless breast of chicken sandwich, Truett founded Chick-fil-A, Inc. in the early 1960's and pioneered the establishment of restaurants in shopping malls with the opening of the first Chick-fil-A Restaurant at a mall in suburban Atlanta in 1967. Since then, Chick-fil-A has steadily grown to become the second largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain in the United States. With over 1565 locations in 39 states and annual sales of more than $3.5 billion, Chick-fil-A is still privately held and family-owned. With 43 consecutive years of positive sales growth, Chick-fil-A has set itself apart by pioneering innovations and delicious products, including the ever-popular Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich and most recently the new Chick-fil-A Spicy Chicken Sandwich. The Chick-fil-A franchise opportunity represents an exceptional offering in the quick-service restaurant industry. For an initial financial commitment of $10,000 for franchise agreements with an effective date after December 31, 2014, selected franchisees (who we call Operators) are granted the rights necessary to operate a franchised Chick-fil-A Restaurant business. Effective January 1, 2015, each franchised Operator will have the option to transfer his/her rights and interests under the franchise agreement to a business entity formed and organized by the franchised Operator for the purpose of owning and operating his/her franchised Chick-fil-A restaurant business. The Chick-fil-A franchise opportunity requires that the individual be free of any other active business ventures and operate the Restaurant on a full-time, hands-on basis. Chick-fil-A Operators must successfully complete an extensive, multi-week training program prior to commencing operation of a franchised Chick-fil-A Restaurant business. With additional development courses and franchise support available, Chick-fil-A Operators are equipped to handle decisions and reap the rewards of a challenging business.