It's cheap to own a Chick-fil-A. But for them, it’s not about the money.
The Real Reason You See So Many Chick-fil-A Restaurants
Everyone who loves the famous Chick-fil-A sauce—this is the secret ingredient that makes it so addictive, by the way—will be jumping for joy when they learn that it’s one of the cheapest fast food chains to open.
Chick-fil-A Copycat Recipes That'll Save Your Sunday
Grilled Pepper Jack Chicken SandwichesBasic, yet packed with flavor, this sandwich gets a kick from zesty cheese and savory bacon. It's a great meal for summer days. —Linda Foreman, Locust Grove, Oklahoma
Inspired By: Chick-fil-A Cobb SaladThis skinny version of Cobb salad has all the taste and creaminess with half the fat and calories. You can skip the coleslaw mix and use all lettuce, but I like the crunch you get with cabbage. —Taylor Kiser, Brandon, Florida
Fun fact: Did you know Chick-fil-A salad dressings are coming to their menu in 2023?
Inspired By: Chicken NuggetsI developed this recipe specifically to copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets. The first time I made them I knew I had a winner because the whole family fought over who got the last one! For a dipping sauce, combine equal parts barbecue sauce and Dijon mustard, then stir in honey to taste. —Jeni Pittard, Statham, Georgia
Inspired By: Chick-Fil-A SauceThis fast, easy mustard with rice vinegar and honey has more flavor than any other honey mustard dressing I've ever tried. —Sharon Rehm, New Blaine, Arkansas
Inspired By: Fresh Brewed Sweet TeaA pinch of baking soda eliminates bitterness in this smooth and easy-to-sip tea and it has just the right amount of sugar so it's not overly sweet. —kelseylouise, Taste of Home Community Member
Inspired By: Chick-Fil-A Butter BiscuitYou can make biscuits any day of the week with this simple 3-ingredient buttermilk biscuits recipe.
Inspired By: Chicken Noodle Soup SideWhen I was sick, my mom would make me this heartwarming chicken noodle soup. It was soothing when I had a cold, but this soup is a bowlful of comfort on any chilly day. —Anthony Graham, Ottawa, lllinois
Grilled Chicken WrapProteins marinated in a zesty citrus dressing shine when stuffed into these grilled chicken wraps. Garnish them with flavorful toppings to make them stand out even more.
Microwave Egg SandwichIf you're looking for a grab-and-go breakfast for busy days, this high-protein sandwich is low in fat and keeps me full all morning. Plus, it's only about 200 calories! —Brenda Otto, Reedsburg, Wisconsin
Inspired By: Garlic and Herb Ranch SauceRanch dressing got its start on a real dude ranch in California. Punch up the western original with green salsa, green chiles, jalapenos and cilantro for more color and spice. Serve the dip along with your favorite wings to feed a crowd. —Lindsay Duke, Goodrich, Texas
Chicken StripsHere's how to deep-fry or bake crispy, golden chicken strips, plus tons of ideas for how to serve them.
Inspired By: Fresh-Squeezed LemonadeA friend suggested I add a sprig of rosemary to lemonade. The herb makes the drink taste fresh and light, and it's a pretty garnish. —Dixie Graham, Rancho Cucamonga, California
Loaded Waffle FriesMake any dinner fun with my Loaded Waffle Fries, topped with a savory blend of cheese, scallions and bacon. I copied this family-favorite recipe from a local restaurant, and it's great with hot dogs, burgers or by itself. —Jeffrey Viccone, Decatur, Illinois
Star-Spangled ParfaitsThe best time for this dessert is midsummer, when the blueberries are thick in our northern woods. Red raspberries can be added to the mixed berries, too, to brighten the patriotic colors. —Anne Theriault, Wellesley, Massachusetts
Strawberry MilkshakeGrab your spoon: this strawberry milkshake is thick, bright with strawberry flavor and infinitely customizable.
Asian Chicken SaladOur Asian chicken salad transforms the classic American chicken salad into a vibrant, Asian-inspired dish in just 25 minutes, combining familiar flavors with exciting textures and tastes.
Inspired By: 4 Chick-n-MinisMy 11-year-old son invented these sliders at dinner one night when he set his chicken on a biscuit. The rest of us tried it his way, and now we enjoy these sandwiches all the time. —Jodie Kolsan, Palm Coast, Florida
Spiced Pumpkin Coffee ShakesThe winter holidays are my favorite time of year, and this spiced pumpkin drink is one reason I love the season so much. If you don't have a coffee maker, it's OK to use instant coffee—just make it stronger. —Kathie Perez, East Peoria, Illinois
Inspired By: Barbeque SauceI've never cared that much for store bought barbecue sauce. I just like to make things myself from scratch including this spicy, deep red-brown sauce. You'll find it clings well when you slather it on grilled meat. —Helena Georgette Mann, Sacramento, California
Sausage Breakfast BurritoBreakfast routine in a rut? Shake things up with these speedy, savory wraps. —Brenda Spann, Granger, Indiana
Inspired By: Chick-fil-A Grilled Market SaladSweet, tangy and bursting with the fresh flavors of summer, this easy strawberry poppy seed salad is a gorgeous, versatile side dish to serve the second warm weather arrives.
Inspired By: Hash BrownsMaking stuffed hash browns is just as easy as making regular ones, but you get the added textures and flavors from the onion, pepper, cheese and bacon.
Chick-fil-A has the eighth highest sales out of all fast-food chains in the United States, however, to open a franchise it will only cost you $10,000. To give you some perspective, it costs between 1 to 2.3 million dollars to open up a McDonald’s and that doesn’t include the $45,000 franchise fee and a slew of requirements you have to meet. On top of the low cost, Chick-fil-A pays for all startup costs and the buyer doesn’t have to meet a threshold for net worth or liquid assets.
For the company, opening a new franchise isn’t about the money; it’s about making sure they chose the right candidate to better their business. Because Chick-fil-A has such a unique company culture and business model, they only accept about 80 applications out of the 20,000 they receive each year.
“We seek to find the very best business partners who find great joy in making other people’s days. They do so with a combination of great business acumen, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a passion for serving others,” Chick-fil-A spokeswoman Amanda Hannah told Business Insider. “Chick-fil-A operators must be as comfortable rolling up their sleeves in the kitchen as they are shaking hands in the dining room.”
So if you have $10,000 lying around and think you have what it takes to make it through their application process, apply. Too much of a commitment? Guess you’ll just have to stick to visiting your nearest chain to get your Chick-fil-A sauce fix. Next, read about why their employees never say “you’re welcome.”
