Chick-fil-A is one of America’s toughest franchises to get — and the startup cost may surprise youhttps://nypost.com/2026/09/13/business/chick-fil-a-is-one-of-americas-toughest-franchises-to-get-and-the-startup-cost-may-surprise-you/Chick-fil-A is one of America’s toughest franchises to get, attracting thousands of hopeful applicants each year for a limited number of owner-operator opportunities.
The fast-food chain’s unique business model was recently highlighted by Julian Good, who owns a Chick-fil-A restaurant in St. Charles, Illinois, during an appearance on the “Founder Talk” podcast.
“It’s a $10,000 franchise fee. It’s been the same for the last 50 years,” Good said.
About 100,000 people apply each year to become a Chick-fil-A owner-operator, with roughly 200 ultimately selected, Good explained.
Applicants without Chick-fil-A experience often wait three to five years before receiving an opportunity, he added.
His comment that the application process takes 3-5 years and is highly competitive is not an exaggeration. Also those years are filled with written submissions and in-person interviews, with no certainty of success until one is chosen. Some friends from our church went through this process, opening their newly built store late last year.
