The chicken franchise scene is amazing – famous heritage brands such as Popez, KFC, and Wing Stop continue to dominate with proven systems and widespread identity, while high -speed kazaks are developing their niche with bold flavors and modern ideas. Jointly, these high -contenders offer a powerful mixture of brand power, operational support, and high demand for consumer demand, which today is one of the hottest development sector in the food service.
The brands included in this list got their place BusinessmanBased on factors such as unit growth, brand stability and financial performance, our annual rating of strong franchise system, 2025 franchise 500, our annual rating. Whether you are looking for a global recognized name or a growing concept, these chicken franchises currently represent some of the best opportunities in the industry.
Related: Considering ownership of the franchise? Start now to find a list of your personal nature of your lifestyle, interests and budget franchises.
1. Popez Louisiana kitchen
- Establishment: 1972
- Since franchising: 1976
- Overall rank: 4
- Number of units: 4,796
- Changes in units: +34.2 % over 3 years
- Early Investment: 1 471,000 – 8 3,875,700
- Lead: Jeff Klein, President
- Parent Co.: Restaurant brands Intel.
Popez Louisiana kitchen, which is #4 inches Businessman 2025 franchisees have about 4,800 units in the United States and 35+ countries – 34 % more in three years – with strong brand support, business guidance, and strong training programs. In a boyfriend’s move, Popez has expanded airports and college campuses to develop a brand committed in high traffic areas, which complements its viral chicken sandwich and new wings lineup.
Related: Popez’s viral menu strategy can teach you to stay relevant
2. Wing Stop
- Establishment: 1994
- Since franchising: 1998
- Overall rank: 11
- Number of units: 2,352
- Changes in units: +44.8 % over 3 years
- Early Investment: 9 259,400 – 2 912,100
- Lead: Michael Skip Worth, President and CEO
- Parent Co.: Wing Stop Restaurant Inc.
The Wing Stop has increased more than 2,350 locations worldwide, which is fuel through its famous wings, smooth operations and bold digital strategies. With a low labor model and strong unit economics, this brand has increased by about 45 % in the last three years. Entrepreneur’s 2025 franchise rated #11 at 500, Wing Stop supports comprehensive training and franchises with wide region’s rights. This scale is a favorite thanks to the scaleable setup in multi -unit operators and focusing on taste innovation.
Related: This modern move flies high to wing stop
3. KFC
- Establishment: 1930
- Since franchising: 1952
- Overall rank: 21
- Number of units: 30,680
- Changes in units: +19.5 % over 3 years
- Early Investment: 8 1,852,825 – 7 3,771,550
- Lead: Tarun Lal, President
- Parent Co.: Yam! Brands Inc.
KFC is one of the most famous names in fast food, with a large -scale global presence and its signature made a menu around the original guidance. With the help of decades of brand, franchisees access strong training, proprietary systems and ongoing field support. Although investment is important, this brand offers an unprecedented scale and power power. 2025 French is a high contender for business people looking for a legacy name with KFC, #21, at 2025 French 500.
Related: KFC is taking its corporate headquarters out of Kentucky. Here is what we know.
4. Thin chicken
- Establishment: 2003
- Since franchising: 2011
- Overall rank: 81
- Number of units: 251
- Changes in units: +109.2 % over 3 years
- Early Investment: $ 1,522,900 -, 4,439,000
- Lead: Sam Rothsilede, COO and Partner
- Parent Co.: Thin chicken
Slim chicken brings southern comfort food to a fast comfortable place, with fresh, hand -bread tenders, wings and chicken and wafs, along with signature sauces and entertaining dessert. Since launching its franchise program in 2011, this brand has come to more than 250 locations in both the United States and international markets. In support of strong training, marketing support and hospitality -powered culture, slim poultry appeals to franchises that they are looking for a modern, expansable concept with loyal fans.Solmetosis.“
Related: She was a lawyer who had no restaurant experience. Now, she is raising the chain of a famous restaurant.
5. The golden girl
- Establishment: 1967
- Since franchising: 1972
- Overall rank: 92
- Number of units: 231
- Changes in units: +12.7 % over 3 years
- Early Investment: 10 810,250 – 8 1,852,800
- Lead: Mark Permalley, CEO
- Parent Co.: Golden franchising corporation
Golden Chowk is an experienced southern style chicken franchise with its roots in 1967. With more than 230 locations and counting, Golden Chuck offers strong operational support, comprehensive training and marketing guidance to franchises. This is a solid option for both owners and experienced operators for both owners and experienced operators, searching for reliable, expanding business.
Related: I went away from a corporate carrier to start my small business – why should you do the same here too
6. Zexy’s
- Establishment: 1990
- Since franchising: 1994
- Overall rank: 109
- Number of units: 960
- Changes in units: +3 more than 5.7 % of the year
- Early Investment: 4 1,406,700 – 3 3,323,200
- Lead: Mike Mettler, CDO
- Parent Co.: Zaxby’s SPE franchiser llc
Zackby’s fast comfortable chicken stands with chicken fingers, wings, heart -to -heart, and signature “zilidus”, all of which are folded with bold drowning sauces. With about 1,000 locations – mainly in South America – Zaxi rating in #109 BusinessmanThe 2025 franchise continues to climb 500. The franchisees help stronger from site selection and training to marketing and proprietary tech. Known for its hospitality and social attention, it is a solid choice for operators that takes a look at freshly fast comfortable development.
Related: This will change your team’s loyalty and performance
7.
- Establishment: 1977
- Since franchising: 1978
- Overall rank: 145
- Number of units: 813
- Changes in units: +4.9 % more than 3 years
- Early Investment: 20 720,220 – 7 3,779,700
- Lead: Jose Armorio, CEO
- Parent Co.: Jordan Co. and Durassal Capital Management LP
According to the cousin, the cousin has specialized in fried chicken and butter biscuits, which has followed the loyal following since the first film in Charlotte in 1977. Brand is on #145 BusinessmanThe 2025 franchise has spread to more than 800 locations with a franchise of 500 and a stable multi -year growth. The franchisees take advantage of comprehensive support-including site selection, deep training, marketing aid, and proprietary tools-as well as with strong community branding connected to southern hospitality, which makes it a stable opportunity in the fast food chicken category.
Related: Its postponement of the affected side hustle in 2 months targeted 000 30,000 revenue-now it is making about $ 500,000 a year: ‘I really like everything about it’.
8. Of Chester
- Establishment: 1952
- Since franchising: 2004
- Overall rank: 237
- Number of units: 1,062
- Changes in units: -16 % more than 3 years
- Early Investment: 27,500 – 6 296,500
- Lead: Wayne Galce, Managing Director
- Parent Co.: n/a
Chester has been brought to fresh, sometimes frozen, double bread fried chicken at facility stores, supermarkets and travel stops, using a secret family version that has been followed. With more than a thousand locations, the brand has become an important place in high traffic, unconventional places. No. 237 Businessman2025 franchise 500, Chester offers start costs, strong training, marketing support and ID “Fried with love“Ideal – Ideal for operators to achieve an easy, expansable chicken concept.
Related: Sale as founder is brutal – that is why we reached M 400m in revenue
9. Texas chicken of church
- Establishment: 1952
- Since franchising: 1969
- Overall rank: 402
- Number of units: 1,532
- Changes in units: More than 3 years of 5.4 %
- Early Investment: 8 648,866 – 8 1,896,300
- Lead: Rolland Gonzalez, CEO
- Parent Co.: Kegin Global LLC
The church’s Texas chicken bold, bone chicken, honey – butter biscuits, and flavorful aspects such as malls, convenience stops, and drives are brought to high traffic locations. Launched in 1952 in San Antonio, it has permanently increased to more than 1,500 units in more than 20 countries. On number 402 BusinessmanThe 2025 franchise 500, this brand has been linked to the heritage of the latest growth-based support-real-state skills, full training, marketing tools and supply chain-supported-presenting travelers in a flexible, hospitalized investment-food franchise.
Related: Why Histal Culture Founders Still Believers
10. Dave’s hot chicken
- Establishment: 2018
- Since franchising: 2019
- Overall rank: 453
- Number of units: 211
- Changes in units: +1,072.2 % in 3 years
- Early Investment: $ 619,800 – 9 1,963,000
- Lead: Bill Philps, CEO
- Parent Co.: Reward Capital
Dave’s hot chicken has aroused a foe frenzy with his nasholi style hot chicken tenders and slider, which is offered in seven levels of spice and is paired with simple aspects like Mac and Cheese. Since the franchizing began in 2019, it increased to more than 200 US locations and climbed into it. Businessman2025 franchise 500, rating #453 – up to about 30 locations – thanks to explosive unit growth and viral appeal. The support of celebrity investors and now is owned by the Reward Capital, Dave’s hot comfortable chicken enthusiasts have bold taste and strong franchise.
Related: A hot chicken chain founded in 2017 was only received for $ 1 billion: ‘one of a great business journey of our time’
