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FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Chester’s Chicken Franchise

Chester’s is a quick-service restaurant franchise specializing in fresh, never-frozen, marinated fried chicken. The brand traces its roots to 1952 in Montgomery, Alabama, where a proprietary family recipe and cooking method were developed; it transitioned to a franchise model in 2004. Now a third-generation family-owned company, Chester’s operates more than 1,300 franchised and licensed locations across the US and Canada.

The brand’s model is built around store-in-store placement rather than standalone restaurant footprints. Branded Chester’s counters sit inside convenience stores, truck stops, supermarkets, colleges, and similar high-traffic venues, allowing franchisees to reach built-in customer traffic without the overhead of a dedicated building lease. The menu covers bone-in chicken, tenders, sandwiches, biscuits, and classic comfort sides, all prepared using Chester’s proprietary double-breading and marinating process.

The brand’s “Chester’s 2.0” initiative, introduced under the current leadership team, focuses on operational innovation, new product development, and supply chain improvement across its national footprint.

Latest Resales

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Why buy a Chester’s Chicken Franchise?

Deciding to buy a Chester’s franchise puts a buyer in a distinctive segment of the QSR chicken category: the store-in-store model sidesteps many of the capital and operational demands of a standalone fast-food unit. Branded counters within convenience stores, truck stops, and supermarkets generate built-in foot traffic rather than relying on independent marketing, and performance is tied closely to host-location volume.

Chester’s consistent record on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, ranked No. 290 in 2026 (its 18th consecutive year on the list), signals a stable franchise system evaluated annually across costs, support, and brand strength. The brand’s active investment in “Chester’s 2.0” and continued product development give franchisees a franchisor with a clear ongoing development focus.

Chester’s Chicken Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1952

    • Franchising Since

      2004

    • New Startup Cost

      $27,500 – $301,500

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $3,500

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      Not Disclosed

    • Royalty Fee

      Not Collected

    • Marketing Fee

      $200

      per Quarter

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      993

    • New Units Opened *

      100

    • Units Transferred *

      19

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      Not Disclosed

    * Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

Chester’s Chicken – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Chester's provides franchisee onboarding through Regional Trainers, with a 4.5-day training covering operations and foodservice best practices. Ongoing field support comes from Territory Performance Managers (TPMs), who visit locations regularly for margin management, waste reduction, and upselling coaching. Marketing support covers three promotional periods per year with local store marketing plans, and an ongoing library of operations and training materials supports continuing team development. Resale buyers should confirm with Chester's what training and TPM support access the franchisor provides when ownership changes.

  2. Ideal Owner

    Chester's store-in-store model typically suits operators who run or are acquiring a host location such as a convenience store, travel center, or supermarket, and want to add a branded food service component. The model rewards operators who are comfortable managing kitchen staff, meeting food quality standards, and coaching counter upselling. Prior foodservice experience is helpful but not required. Resale buyers should clarify whether the franchise agreement is tied to the current host location or portable if the host changes hands.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Chester's has been ranked on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 for 18 consecutive years, most recently at No. 290 in 2026 and No. 237 in 2025. The ranking evaluates franchises across more than 150 data points covering costs, support, brand strength, and financial stability. Within the convenience store foodservice channel, Chester's has built brand visibility through sustained unit growth and an active NACS trade presence. For resale buyers, consistent Franchise 500 inclusion reflects a franchisor accountable to published franchise industry benchmarks.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US fast food chicken restaurant market reached $63.7 billion in 2025, growing at a 5.6% CAGR between 2020 and 2025, according to IBISWorld. Consumer demand for affordable protein and convenient hot food continues to support the segment. Chester's store-in-store channel benefits from the expansion of convenience store food service, where fuel and travel customers increasingly expect quality hot food. For resale buyers, the host location's traffic volume and proximity to travel corridors are key demand factors.

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