What Are Some of the Best Fried Chicken Franchises to Own, and What Makes Church’s Texas Chicken® a Top Consideration?
At Church’s Texas Chicken®, we know when it comes to investing in a fried chicken franchise, you've got choices — after all, we're not the only bird in town, though we’re truly one of the best fried chicken franchises available. Still, as an investor, you should perform your due diligence before making any final decision. Compare business models and value propositions, and make sure corporate training and support are comprehensive. We're convinced once you make comparisons, you'll come away appreciating everything that our Church's Texas Chicken® opportunities have to offer — like wholesome and delicious menu items, deep industry relationships, and expert marketing that will keep you in front of your best customers.
Having said that, we know we’re in good company. In this blog, we'll take a look at a list of fried chicken franchises, starting with our own well-known brand. Spend some time here to learn more about them, and know that we're always available to answer any questions you might have about our restaurant franchise investment and the true value it offers.
Church’s Texas Chicken®
For over 70 years, Church’s Texas Chicken® has been pleasing guests with wholesome and delicious menu items — like hand-crafted tenders, our world-famous biscuits, and signature homestyle sides — and today, with over 1,500 restaurants in 24 countries, we are the third-largest bone-in fried chicken franchise in the world. While we always stay true to our heritage, our ongoing menu innovations bring new and exciting options to all our restaurants, and our chicken franchise investment comes with expert marketing to help get the word out. Best of all, our business model features time-tested processes and procedures, helping owners run their franchises more smoothly and profitably.
KFC
KFC started franchising in 1952, and today is the second-largest quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand, second only to McDonald’s. It was one of the first American fast-food chains to expand internationally, opening outlets in Canada, the UK, Mexico, and Jamaica by the mid-1960s. Known for serving their fried chicken in a bucket and with headquarters in Kentucky, the brand is looking for franchisees who are ready for hands-on involvement in their restaurants and are committed to customer service.
Bojangles
Founded in 1977 and headquartered in North Carolina, Bojangles is another well-recognized QSR franchise that has made a name for itself with its Cajun-style fried chicken, as well as buttermilk biscuits, country ham, steak, and more. The menu features three dayparts and is known for primarily serving the Southeastern US. Today, they are located in 23 states across the country, including 10 restaurants in New Jersey, and a 2019 partnership with Love’s Travel Shops has allowed the brand to expand its reach further.
Golden Chick
Golden Chick first opened as Golden Fried Chicken in 1967 in San Marcos, Texas, and in 1996, changed the name to Golden Chick. There are currently 210 restaurants operating in Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, Louisiana, and Florida, all serving up a menu that features fried chicken tenders, homestyle sides, desserts, and more. The brand is looking for franchisee candidates — veterans, white-collar professionals, experienced investors, and more — who are ready to use their experience to operate their franchises successfully.
Popeyes
Formed in 1972 in New Orleans, Louisiana, and headquartered in Miami, Popeyes is a large global brand that’s currently a subsidiary of Canada’s Restaurant Brands International. As of 2021, Popeyes has over 3,700 restaurants, which are located in more than 46 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 30 countries worldwide. About 50 locations are company-owned, with the remainder operated by franchisees. Their menu features chicken dishes in mild and spicy flavors and sides such as red beans, rice, coleslaw, and mashed potatoes with gravy.
Zaxby’s
The first Zaxby's was established in Statesboro, Georgia, in March 1990 by childhood friends Zach McLeroy and Tony Townley, near the Georgia Southern University campus. Today, the fast-casual brand is Oklahoma-based and serves buffalo wings, sandwiches, chicken fingers, salads, and more. Their restaurants are found mostly in the south, with more than 900 locations across 19 states in the US. Franchisees own the majority of Zaxby's restaurants, but the company maintains more than 140 locations.
Some Additional Resources Related to Our Brand
This list of fried chicken franchises includes some of the best options in the market, but it is by no means comprehensive, so continue to do your homework. Remember, if you're looking for a premier multi-unit investment opportunity, Church’s Texas Chicken® is a brand to seriously consider. Below is more useful information that can answer some of the questions you might still have about our opportunity:
To find out more about a Church’s Texas Chicken® franchise opportunity and what’s made us an industry leader, reach out to our team today.