Chicken Salad Chick Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$777,000 - $1,049,500
Franchise Fee
$45,000
Total US Locations
288
Business Summary
Chicken Salad Chick operates fast-casual restaurants that offer a limited menu focusing on specialty chicken salads, gourmet side items, and soups. The brand emphasizes quick, polite service in a clean, friendly atmosphere. Chicken Salad Chick restaurants sell chicken salads, pimento cheese, and side salads for dine-in, carryout, and catering, with some locations featuring drive-thrus. These restaurants are typically around 2,800 square feet with seating for about 82 people, found in suburban retail areas, and are open year-round.
Corporate History
The Chicken Salad Chick brand originated with its first restaurant opening on January 7, 2008, in Auburn, Alabama, under the development of Stacy and Kevin Brown and The Chicken Salad Chick, LLC. The current franchisor, Simply Southern Restaurant Group, LLC, was formed on October 4, 2012, and took over the brand's franchise operations that same year. In February 2025, it converted to a Georgia limited liability company. An affiliate, SSRG II, LLC, has been responsible for owning and operating all company-owned Chicken Salad Chick restaurants since February 2014.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$777,000 - $1,049,500
Franchise Fee (Low)
$45,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$50,000
Royalty %
5%
Marketing %
2%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$652,000
Equipment Costs (High)
$865,000
Working Capital
$25,000
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Chicken Salad Chick has reported net losses for the years ending December 29, 2024, and December 31, 2023, resulting in an accumulated deficit. While the company has cash and cash equivalents, its total current liabilities exceed its total current assets, indicating negative working capital for both years. Despite this, the independent auditors did not identify any conditions or events that would raise substantial doubt about Chicken Salad Chick's ability to continue as a going concern.
Financing Details
Chicken Salad Chick does not offer any direct or indirect financing to its franchisees. Additionally, it does not guarantee any notes, leases, or other financial obligations for franchisees.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
288
Franchised Units
206
Corporate Units
82
Avg Square Footage
2,800
Franchising Since
2012
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
No
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Summary
Chicken Salad Chick has no litigation history to report under Item 3 of its Franchise Disclosure Document.
Bankruptcy History
Chicken Salad Chick has no bankruptcy history to report under Item 4 of its Franchise Disclosure Document.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Term
10 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew, Chicken Salad Chick franchisees must provide written notice, complete a full renovation and remodeling of their restaurant, and update all technology. They must not be in default of their current agreement, have satisfied all financial obligations, and have the right to remain in their premises for the new term. Franchisees will also need to sign Chicken Salad Chick's then-current franchise agreement, which may have different terms, sign a general release (where allowed by state law), meet current qualifications and training standards, and pay a renewal fee.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Chicken Salad Chick provides extensive support to its franchisees. Before opening, it helps with site and lease acceptance, provides an operations manual, lists of required products, equipment, and approved suppliers, and a sample menu. It sets standards for technology equipment, offers initial training, and its affiliate manages grand opening marketing. An opening team assists franchisees for up to 10 days. After opening, Chicken Salad Chick offers additional training for new managers (with a fee if at the restaurant), advisory services via phone and email, provides updates to the manual and menu, supplies lists of new approved suppliers, maintains quality and service standards, and grants continued use of its trademarks and confidential information. Franchisees or key personnel must also attend annual conferences.
Initial Training Hours
80
Training Location
Corporate headquarters in Atlanta, GA or other designated restaurant locations
Ongoing Support
After opening, Chicken Salad Chick provides ongoing support including additional training for new managers (with a fee if conducted at the franchisee's restaurant). Franchisees or key personnel must attend annual conferences, covering their own expenses. The brand offers advisory services via telephone, email, or in writing, and provides updates to its operations manual and approved supplier lists. Chicken Salad Chick also maintains uniform quality, cleanliness, and service standards for all restaurants and allows franchisees to continue using its trademarks and confidential information.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Chicken Salad Chick seeks franchisees or Operating Partners who will personally participate in or directly supervise their restaurant's operations. The Operating Partner must be dedicated solely to the Chicken Salad Chick restaurant and cannot operate or manage any other business without prior written approval. All management personnel are required to complete Chicken Salad Chick's training program and sign confidentiality agreements. The brand looks for individuals with existing business experience and skills.
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
Limited
Territory Size Requirements
Chicken Salad Chick generally provides a Protected Area equal to a 1-mile radius from the restaurant's front entrance. However, the size of the Protected Area may be smaller, or there may be no Protected Area at all, depending on the nature of the venue or market, such as densely populated urban areas or non-traditional locations.
Staffing Notes
Chicken Salad Chick franchisees are responsible for hiring all restaurant employees and setting their employment terms and compensation, as the franchisor does not control these aspects or labor relations. Each restaurant must have a dedicated General Manager present daily, unless the Operating Partner is on-site. The General Manager does not need an equity interest in the franchise. All management personnel are required to complete Chicken Salad Chick's training program and sign confidentiality agreements. Franchisees must maintain a sufficient number of trained staff, including a minimum of two salaried managers, to ensure efficient customer service.