The rooster franchise scene is scorching — iconic legacy manufacturers like Popeyes, KFC, and Wingstop proceed dominating with confirmed techniques and widespread recognition, whereas quick‑informal newcomers are carving out their area of interest with daring flavors and trendy ideas. Mixed, these prime contenders provide entrepreneurs a robust combine of name power, operational help, and excessive client demand, making chicken-centric franchising one of many hottest progress sectors in food service right this moment.
The manufacturers on this listing earned their spot on Entrepreneur‘s 2025 Franchise 500, our annual rating of the strongest franchise techniques, primarily based on elements like unit progress, model stability and monetary efficiency. Whether or not you are in search of a globally acknowledged identify or a rising idea with momentum, these rooster franchises symbolize among the finest alternatives within the trade proper now.
1. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
- Based: 1972
- Franchising since: 1976
- General rank: 4
- Variety of items: 4,796
- Change in items: +34.2% over 3 years
- Preliminary funding: $471,000 – $3,875,700
- Management: Jeff Klein, President
- Guardian firm: Restaurant Manufacturers Int’l.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, ranked #4 in Entrepreneur’s 2025 Franchise 500, boasts almost 4,800 items within the U.S. and 35+ international locations — up 34% in three years — backed by robust model help, entrepreneurial steering, and strong coaching packages. In a savvy progress transfer, Popeyes has expanded into airports and school campuses to construct model affinity in excessive‑visitors areas, complementing its viral rooster sandwich and new wings lineup
Associated: What Popeyes’ Viral Menu Strategy Can Teach You About Staying Relevant
2. Wingstop
- Based: 1994
- Franchising since: 1998
- General rank: 11
- Variety of items: 2,352
- Change in items: +44.8% over 3 years
- Preliminary funding: $259,400 – $912,100
- Management: Michael Skipworth, President & CEO
- Guardian firm: Wingstop Eating places Inc.
Wingstop has soared to greater than 2,350 places worldwide, fueled by its well-known wings, streamlined operations and daring digital technique. With a low-labor mannequin and robust unit economics, the model has grown almost 45% previously three years. Ranked #11 on Entrepreneur’s 2025 Franchise 500, Wingstop helps franchisees with complete coaching and expansive territory rights. It is a favourite amongst multi-unit operators because of its scalable setup and concentrate on taste innovation.
Associated: This Innovative Move Keeps Wingstop Flying High
3. KFC
- Based: 1930
- Franchising since: 1952
- General rank: 21
- Variety of items: 30,680
- Change in items: +19.5% over 3 years
- Preliminary funding: $1,852,825 – $3,771,550
- Management: Tarun Lal, President
- Guardian firm: Yum! Manufacturers Inc.
KFC stays probably the most iconic names in quick meals, with an enormous world presence and a menu constructed round its signature authentic recipe. Backed by many years of name recognition, franchisees achieve entry to strong coaching, proprietary techniques and ongoing discipline help. Whereas the funding is important, the model gives unmatched scale and endurance. For entrepreneurs searching for a legacy identify with world attain, KFC, #21 on the 2025 Francise 500, continues to be a prime contender.
Associated: KFC Is Moving Its Corporate Headquarters Out of Kentucky. Here’s What We Know.
4. Slim Chickens
- Based: 2003
- Franchising since: 2011
- General rank: 81
- Variety of items: 251
- Change in items: +109.2% over 3 years
- Preliminary funding: $1,522,900 – $4,439,000
- Management: Sam Rothschild, COO & Accomplice
- Guardian firm: Slim Chickens
Slim Chickens brings Southern consolation meals to the fast-casual area, serving contemporary, hand-breaded tenders, wings, and rooster & waffles alongside signature dipping sauces and indulgent jar desserts. Since launching its franchise program in 2011, the model has grown to over 250 places with robust momentum in each the U.S. and worldwide markets. Backed by strong coaching, advertising help and a hospitality-driven tradition, Slim Chickens appeals to franchisees in search of a contemporary, scalable idea with loyal followers — identified affectionately as “Slimthusiasts.“
Associated: She Was a Lawyer with No Restaurant Experience. Now, She’s Reviving an Iconic Restaurant Chain.
5. Golden Chick
- Based: 1967
- Franchising since: 1972
- General rank: 92
- Variety of items: 231
- Change in items: +12.7% over 3 years
- Preliminary funding: $810,250 – $1,852,800
- Management: Mark Parmerlee, CEO
- Guardian firm: Golden Franchising Corp.
Golden Chick is a seasoned Southern-style rooster franchise with roots relationship again to 1967. Identified for its signature hand-breaded Golden Tenders, the model has constructed a loyal following throughout the South and Midwest. With greater than 230 places and counting, Golden Chick gives franchisees robust operational help, complete coaching and advertising steering. It is a stable choice for each first-time homeowners and skilled operators in search of a reliable, scalable business with regional attraction.
Associated: I Walked Away From a Corporate Career to Start My Own Small Business — Here’s Why You Should Do the Same
6. Zaxby’s
- Based: 1990
- Franchising since: 1994
- General rank: 109
- Variety of items: 960
- Change in items: +5.7% over 3 years
- Preliminary funding: $1,406,700 – $3,323,200
- Management: Mike Mettler, CDO
- Guardian firm: Zaxby’s SPE Franchisor LLC
Zaxby’s stands out within the fast-casual rooster area with its crave-worthy rooster fingers, wings, hearty sandwiches, and signature “Zalads,” all paired with daring dipping sauces. With almost 1,000 places — predominantly within the Southern U.S. — Zaxby’s ranked #109 in Entrepreneur‘s 2025 Franchise 500 and continues to climb. Franchisees obtain robust help, from web site choice and coaching to advertising and proprietary tech. Identified for its hospitality and neighborhood focus, it is a stable alternative for operators eyeing contemporary fast-casual progress.
Associated: This One Leadership Move Will Transform Your Team’s Loyalty and Performance
7. Bojangles
- Based: 1977
- Franchising since: 1978
- General rank: 145
- Variety of items: 813
- Change in items: +4.9% over 3 years
- Preliminary funding: $720,220 – $3,779,700
- Management: Jose Armario, CEO
- Guardian firm: The Jordan Firm & Durational Capital Administration LP
Bojangles focuses on Cajun-seasoned fried rooster and buttermilk biscuits, constructing a loyal following since its 1977 debut in Charlotte. The model ranks #145 on Entrepreneur‘s 2025 Franchise 500 and has expanded to greater than 800 places with regular multi-year progress. Franchisees profit from complete help—together with web site choice, in-depth coaching, advertising help, and proprietary instruments — together with robust neighborhood branding rooted in Southern hospitality, making it a standout alternative within the fast-food rooster class.
8. Chester’s
- Based: 1952
- Franchising since: 2004
- General rank: 237
- Variety of items: 1,062
- Change in items: -16% over 3 years
- Preliminary funding: $27,500 – $296,500
- Management: Wynn Giles, Managing Director
- Guardian firm: N/A
Chester’s brings contemporary, never-frozen, double-breaded fried rooster to comfort shops, supermarkets, and journey stops throughout the U.S., utilizing a secret household recipe that is constructed a loyal following. With over 1,000 places, the model has develop into a staple in high-traffic, nontraditional venues. Ranked #237 on Entrepreneur‘s 2025 Franchise 500, Chester’s gives streamlined startup prices, robust coaching, advertising help and a recognizable “Fried With Love” id — best for operators searching for a easy, scalable rooster idea.
Associated: Selling as a Founder Is Brutal — It Was Also the Reason We Reached $400M in Revenue
9. Church’s Texas Rooster
- Based: 1952
- Franchising since: 1969
- General rank: 402
- Variety of items: 1,532
- Change in items: +5.4% over 3 years
- Preliminary funding: $648,866 – $1,896,300
- Management: Roland Gonzalez, CEO
- Guardian firm: Cajun International LLC
Church’s Texas Chicken brings daring, bone‑in fried rooster, honey‑butter biscuits, and flavorful sides to excessive‑visitors places like malls, comfort stops, and drive‑ins. Launched in 1952 in San Antonio, it has grown steadily to over 1,500 items throughout greater than 20 international locations. Ranked #402 on Entrepreneur‘s 2025 Franchise 500, the model combines legacy enchantment with trendy progress help — actual‑property experience, thorough coaching, advertising instruments and supply-chain backing — providing entrepreneurs a resilient, hospitality-driven funding in consolation‑meals franchising.
Associated: Why Hustle Culture Is the Most Dangerous Lie Founders Still Believe
10. Dave’s Scorching Rooster
- Based: 2018
- Franchising since: 2019
- General rank: 453
- Variety of items: 211
- Change in items: +1,072.2% over 3 years
- Preliminary funding: $619,800 – $1,963,000
- Management: Invoice Phelps, CEO
- Guardian firm: Roark Capital
Dave’s Hot Chicken has ignited a foodie frenzy with its Nashville‑type sizzling rooster tenders and sliders, provided in seven spice ranges and paired with easy sides like mac-and-cheese. Since franchising started in 2019, it is surged to over 200 U.S. places and climbed into Entrepreneur‘s 2025 Franchise 500, rating #453 — up almost 30 spots — because of explosive unit progress and viral enchantment. Backed by movie star buyers and now owned by Roark Capital, Dave’s brings daring taste and robust franchise help to hot-casual rooster fans.
