Which Chicken Franchise Makes the Most Money in 2026?

If you're evaluating chicken franchise investments, average unit volume (AUV) is one of the most useful benchmarks available. It measures average annual sales per location across a brand's system — giving you a quick way to compare revenue potential before you get deep into the FDD math.

Below, we've compiled the latest AUV data for top QSR chicken brands from the 2025 QSR 50 Report (reflecting 2024 performance), supplemented with Technomic Top 500 data where noted. We've also addressed several brands — Dave's Hot Chicken, bb.q Chicken, and Five Star Chicken — that prospective investors frequently search for.

Sources: QSR Magazine 2025 QSR 50 Report; Technomic Top 500 (Dave's Hot Chicken)

Note: AUV is a systemwide average and does not represent guaranteed or projected earnings. Individual results vary based on location, operations, market conditions, and other factors.

At Jack in the Box, some of the most popular questions we receive are associated with costs to get started and how much you can make.

In this article, we’ll look at which chicken franchise makes the most money by comparing the average unit volume (AUV) for each brand from the QSR 50 Report.

Chick-Fil-A

Chick-Fil-A was founded by Truett Cathy in Hapeville, GA. Today, it is one of the most successful fast-food restaurants in America.

There are more than 2,800 Chick-Fil-A restaurants in the U.S. and the state with the most is Texas with 456 locations.

Chick-Fil-A AUV: $7.5MM
Source: 2025 QSR 50 Report 

One important caveat for investors: Chick-fil-A's franchise model is atypical. Operators pay a $10,000 fee but don't own the restaurant — the company retains ownership and takes a significant share of revenue. Exceptional volume, but the wealth-building dynamics are very different from a traditional franchise.

Jack in the Box

Jack in the Box runs a 24/7 menu across five dayparts. While we're typically known as a burger brand, chicken is a meaningful part of our menu every day. That variety is a structural advantage: you're not dependent on a single protein or a single peak hour to drive sales.

Although we might be known as a burger franchise to most, we also offer a wide variety of chicken options across the menu.

Jack in the Box AUV: $1.913,335

Our AUV figure comes directly from our Franchise Disclosure Document — not a  third-party estimate or industry survey. For multi-unit investors committing to 3 or more locations, our Development Incentive Program offers a $150,000 interest-free loan per qualifying restaurant, with repayment structured through royalty credits or we have an Select Market Incentive that can reduce your royalty from 5% to 2% for the first five years. See more on our incentives here.

Total investment: $1,909,500 – $4,041,500 (Item 7, FDD 2026)
Minimum liquidity: $750,000
Minimum net worth: $1,500,000

Download our franchise brochure here.

KFC

KFC has 3,669 U.S. locations and a significant international presence.

KFC AUV: $1.336MM
Source: 2025 QSR 50 Report

Popeye’s

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen was founded in 1972 in New Orleans and operates 3,170 locations across 46 states and 30+ countries.

Popeye’s AUV: $1.819MM

The number above represents the average sales per unit of franchised and company-owned stores.

Source: 2025 QSR 50 Report

Wingstop

Wingstop specializes in wings and tenders across 11 signature sauces, with a delivery-forward model that has driven consistent AUV growth. The brand reports a 72% digital sales mix and operates 2,204 locations.

Wingstop AUV: $2.138MM

The number above represents the average sales per unit of franchised and company-owned stores.

Source: 2025 QSR 50 Report

Zaxby’s

Zaxby’s has seen a large amount of growth due to the success of their chicken fingers, chicken wings, chicken sandwiches, and chicken salads.

They have more than 900 locations in 18 different states with the majority of them located in the Southeastern United States.

Zaxby’s AUV: $2.79MM

The number above represents the average sales per unit of franchised and company-owned stores.

Source: 2025 QSR 50 Report

El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco serves marinated, flame-grilled chicken across burritos, tacos, salads, and quesadillas with a Mexican-inspired menu. They operate 498 restaurants in 6 states.

El Pollo Loco AUV: $2.3MM

The number above represents the average sales per unit of franchised and company-owned stores.

Source: 2025 QSR 50 Report

Raising Cane’s

Raising Cane’s is a chicken restaurant that has become popular due to their chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, and Cane’s sauce.

They have rapidly expanded with company-affiliated restaurants and franchise business partners in a very specific geography.

Raising Cane’s AUV: $6.56MM
Source: 2025 QSR 50 Report 

The number above represents the average sales per unit of franchised and company-owned stores.

Worth noting for investors: Raising Cane's operates primarily through company-affiliated locations. Conventional franchise availability is limited.

Church's Chicken

Church's Chicken was founded in 1952 in San Antonio, TX and remains one of the more accessible QSR chicken franchise entry points by investment level.

In 1952, they were founded by George W. Church, Sr. in San Antonio, TX across from the Alamo.

Church's Chicken AUV: $1.097MM

The number above represents the average sales per unit of franchised and company-owned stores.

Source: 2025 QSR 50 Report

Dave's hot chicken

Dave's Hot Chicken is one of the fastest-growing brands in fast casual, built around spicy chicken tenders and sliders with a devoted following that predates the first restaurant by years.
 
Dave's Hot Chicken AUV: ~$3.1MM
Source: Technomic Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report, 2024
 
Dave's requires franchisees to already operate 5 or more QSR or fast casual units, with a minimum net worth of $5MM and $2.5MM in liquid assets — one of the higher bars in the category. Investment range: $619,800 – $1,963,000. They also require that potential franchisees must currently own/operate 5+QSR or Fast Casual Franchise Restaurants in the market are of interests.

Bojangle's

Bojangle's brings Cajun-seasoned fried chicken and made-from-scratch buttermilk biscuits to 825 locations across 14 states.
 
Bojangle's AUV: $2.351MM
Source: 2025 QSR 50 Report

bb.q Chicken

bb.q Chicken is a South Korean fried chicken brand (owned by Genesis BBQ, founded 1995) with 162 U.S. locations, 159 of which are franchised. The concept focuses on Korean-style fried chicken, proprietary wing sauces, and sides that differentiate it from traditional American QSR chicken chains.
 
bb.q Chicken AUV: Not publicly disclosed in available U.S. FDD filings
 
bb.q Chicken Investment Range:
  — Essential format: $260,000 – $498,000
  — Cafe or Chicken & Beer Concept: $380,000 – $793,000
Ongoing fees: 5% royalty + 2% brand development fee
Source: bb.q Chicken franchise website.

Five Star Chicken

Five Star Chicken is a CP Foods/Thailand-backed brand with over 1,100 locations — but they're all in India. If you've been searching "Five Star Chicken franchise cost" as a U.S.-based investor, it's simply not available in the American market as of this post in April 2026.

So which Chicken Franchise Makes the Most money?

By raw AUV, Chick-fil-A ($7.5MM) and Raising Cane's ($6.56MM) lead by a significant margin — but neither is a conventionally available franchise opportunity. Among accessible franchise brands, Dave's Hot Chicken (~$3.1MM) leads on AUV, though its entry requirements are steep.
 
For multi-unit investors looking for a proven, franchisable brand with a diversified 24/7 menu and structured development support, Jack in the Box is worth a close look.

Our FDD-disclosed AUV of $1,913,335 is a traceable figure — and our multi-unit incentives are built specifically for experienced operators scaling a portfolio.

Here are some additional online resources you may like to check out:

• How Much Does a Jack in the Box Franchise Cost?
• 5 Benefits of Multi-Unit Franchising with Jack in the Box
• What’s a Franchise Disclosure Document?

If you have any questions, please contact our franchise sales and support team.