Risk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$681,500 - $1,535,500
Franchise Fee
$33,300
Min Cash Required
$25,000
Total US Locations
24
Business Summary
Big Chicken operates fast-casual restaurants under the Big Chicken trademarks and business systems. These restaurants specialize in freshly-prepared chicken sandwiches and chicken tenders, complemented by a variety of side dishes, salads, ice cream, and other desserts.
Corporate History
BC Licensing LLC, the franchisor for Big Chicken, was formed in Nevada on February 13, 2020, to administer the Big Chicken restaurant franchise program. It began offering franchises in April 2021. The parent company, BCIP LLC, formed in 2018, owns the intellectual property and operates Big Chicken restaurants through its own subsidiaries. Craveworthy Brands LLC is a managing partner and investor in the parent company, with several other affiliated restaurant brands under its common ownership.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$681,500 - $1,535,500
Franchise Fee (Low)
$33,300
Franchise Fee (High)
$40,000
Minimum Cash Required
$25,000
Royalty %
6%
Marketing %
2%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$480,000
Equipment Costs (High)
$1,000,000
Working Capital
$62,500
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Big Chicken's FDD, in its Special Risks section, highlights that the franchisor's financial condition, as reflected in its financial statements in Item 21, raises questions about its ability to provide services and support to franchisees. However, the audited financial statements in Item 21 for the year ended December 31, 2024, conclude that there is no significant doubt about Big Chicken's ability to continue as a going concern due to positive income.
Financing Details
Big Chicken and its affiliates do not offer direct or indirect financing to franchisees. They also will not guarantee any franchisee's notes, leases, or other obligations.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
24
Franchised Units
22
Corporate Units
2
Avg Square Footage
2,300
Franchising Since
2021
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
Yes
Bankruptcy
Yes
Litigation Count
1
Litigation Summary
Big Chicken is currently involved in one lawsuit filed on November 19, 2024, in Nevada against a former franchisee, DMD Chicken, LLC, and its co-founders. Big Chicken alleges breach of contract, breach of personal guarantees, and interference with contractual relations, stemming from the former franchisee's failure to open restaurants on time and attempts to undermine relationships with other franchisees after their agreements were terminated. Big Chicken is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, injunctive relief, fees, and costs. The defendants moved the case to federal court on March 12, 2025, and filed a counterclaim on March 18, 2025, which Big Chicken denies and plans to move to dismiss.
Bankruptcy History
Big Chicken has disclosed one bankruptcy event related to one of its executives. Christopher Gumprecht, Big Chicken's Vice President of Marketing and Information Technology, was the Vice President of Technology for Roti Restaurants, LLC, when Roti filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization on August 23, 2024. Roti operated a fast-casual restaurant chain that ultimately failed due to rising costs, mixed location performance, and difficult market conditions. The court issued a plan confirmation order on February 26, 2025.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Term
5 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew, Big Chicken franchisees must be operating new restaurants in the United States when they want to renew. They must be in good standing under their current License Agreement, sign the then-current License Agreement, update their restaurant to meet current design standards, pay a $5,000 renewal fee, complete any required training for renewing franchisees, and sign a general release. Franchisees also need to extend their lease for the entire renewal term or relocate the restaurant with Big Chicken's approval, and the landlord must sign Big Chicken's current Lease Addendum. The new License Agreement they sign may have significantly different terms.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Before opening, Big Chicken provides franchisees with access to a comprehensive confidential operating manual, written site selection criteria, and design specifications. They also assist with equipment and supply lists from approved suppliers and offer advice during the construction process. Initial training for owners and managers is provided, along with guidance for grand opening advertising. After opening, Big Chicken offers regular consultations on administrative and operating issues, and may provide additional on-site or refresher training (which might incur fees). They conduct annual business meetings for franchisees, revise the operating manual periodically, review requests for unapproved products or suppliers, perform regular site inspections, and manage system-wide electronic gift card and loyalty programs. Big Chicken may also establish a franchisee advisory council.
Initial Training Hours
260
Training Location
Las Vegas, Nevada
Ongoing Support
After opening, Big Chicken provides franchisees with ongoing consultation and advice on administrative and operating issues. They may offer additional on-site training to address operational deficiencies or refresher training, for which fees may apply. Big Chicken conducts annual business meetings for franchisees to cover new products, system changes, and marketing strategies, with required attendance for owners and managers. The franchisor periodically updates its confidential operating manual, reviews requests for using unapproved products or suppliers, and performs regular site inspections and mystery shopper visits. Big Chicken also manages system-wide gift card and loyalty programs and may form a franchisee advisory council for strategic input.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Big Chicken emphasizes that ideal franchisees should have previous retail food service or restaurant experience. While the franchisor does not require the Primary Owner to personally dedicate full-time attention to managing or supervising all restaurant activities or acting as a Certified Manager, they do require the Primary Owner to complete the Owner Orientation module of the initial training program and recommend they also complete the Certified Manager Training Program.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
Yes
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
retail
Owner Participation
supervisory
Territory Type
Protected
Territory Size Requirements
Big Chicken assigns a Protected Area to each restaurant, typically a one-mile radius around the approved location. The boundaries are usually defined by street names, political lines, or zip codes. For locations in the top 20 Metropolitan Statistical Areas, the Protected Area will encompass no less than 10,000 daytime residents and may be smaller than one mile.
Staffing Notes
Big Chicken requires each restaurant to have at least one Certified Manager providing direct, full-time supervision at all times. If a franchisee owns multiple locations, each must have a different Certified Manager unless Big Chicken approves otherwise. The franchisor recommends employing at least two full-time Certified Managers per restaurant. Certified Managers must successfully complete specific training programs and hold ServSafe food protection and alcohol service certificates (if applicable). Franchisees are solely responsible for hiring, firing, and setting employment policies for their staff, ensuring employees are competent, properly trained, proficient in English for customer service, and wear designated uniforms. Franchisees who achieve Training Store Certification after their initial restaurant has been open for 12 months or after their third restaurant opens can then train their own new management hires.