The hen franchise scene is scorching — iconic legacy manufacturers like Popeyes, KFC, and Wingstop proceed dominating with confirmed methods and widespread recognition, whereas quick‑informal newcomers are carving out their area of interest with daring flavors and fashionable ideas. Mixed, these prime contenders provide entrepreneurs a strong combine of brand name power, operational help, and excessive shopper demand, making chicken-centric franchising one of many hottest development sectors in food service in the present day.
The manufacturers on this checklist earned their spot on Entrepreneur‘s 2025 Franchise 500, our annual rating of the strongest franchise methods, based mostly on components like unit development, model stability and monetary efficiency. Whether or not you are on the lookout for a globally acknowledged identify or a rising idea with momentum, these hen franchises signify among the finest alternatives within the business proper now.
1. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
- Based: 1972
- Franchising since: 1976
- Total rank: 4
- Variety of items: 4,796
- Change in items: +34.2% over 3 years
- Preliminary funding: $471,000 – $3,875,700
- Management: Jeff Klein, President
- Mum or dad firm: Restaurant Manufacturers Int’l.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, ranked #4 in Entrepreneur’s 2025 Franchise 500, boasts almost 4,800 items within the U.S. and 35+ nations — up 34% in three years — backed by robust model help, entrepreneurial steering, and strong coaching packages. In a savvy development transfer, Popeyes has expanded into airports and school campuses to construct model affinity in excessive‑site visitors areas, complementing its viral hen sandwich and new wings lineup
Associated: What Popeyes’ Viral Menu Strategy Can Teach You About Staying Relevant
2. Wingstop
- Based: 1994
- Franchising since: 1998
- Total rank: 11
- Variety of items: 2,352
- Change in items: +44.8% over 3 years
- Preliminary funding: $259,400 – $912,100
- Management: Michael Skipworth, President & CEO
- Mum or dad firm: Wingstop Eating places Inc.
Wingstop has soared to greater than 2,350 places worldwide, fueled by its well-known wings, streamlined operations and daring digital technique. With a low-labor mannequin and powerful unit economics, the model has grown almost 45% previously three years. Ranked #11 on Entrepreneur’s 2025 Franchise 500, Wingstop helps franchisees with complete coaching and expansive territory rights. It is a favourite amongst multi-unit operators because of its scalable setup and concentrate on taste innovation.
Associated: This Innovative Move Keeps Wingstop Flying High
3. KFC
- Based: 1930
- Franchising since: 1952
- Total rank: 21
- Variety of items: 30,680
- Change in items: +19.5% over 3 years
- Preliminary funding: $1,852,825 – $3,771,550
- Management: Tarun Lal, President
- Mum or dad firm: Yum! Manufacturers Inc.
KFC stays one of the crucial iconic names in quick meals, with a large international presence and a menu constructed round its signature authentic recipe. Backed by many years of brand name recognition, franchisees achieve entry to strong coaching, proprietary methods and ongoing discipline help. Whereas the funding is important, the model gives unmatched scale and endurance. For entrepreneurs searching for a legacy identify with international attain, KFC, #21 on the 2025 Francise 500, continues to be a prime contender.
Associated: KFC Is Moving Its Corporate Headquarters Out of Kentucky. Here’s What We Know.
4. Slim Chickens
- Based: 2003
- Franchising since: 2011
- Total rank: 81
- Variety of items: 251
- Change in items: +109.2% over 3 years
- Preliminary funding: $1,522,900 – $4,439,000
- Management: Sam Rothschild, COO & Companion
- Mum or dad firm: Slim Chickens
Slim Chickens brings Southern consolation meals to the fast-casual area, serving contemporary, hand-breaded tenders, wings, and hen & waffles alongside signature dipping sauces and indulgent jar desserts. Since launching its franchise program in 2011, the model has grown to over 250 places with robust momentum in each the U.S. and worldwide markets. Backed by strong coaching, advertising and marketing help and a hospitality-driven tradition, Slim Chickens appeals to franchisees on the lookout for a contemporary, scalable idea with loyal followers — identified affectionately as “Slimthusiasts.“
Associated: She Was a Lawyer with No Restaurant Experience. Now, She’s Reviving an Iconic Restaurant Chain.
5. Golden Chick
- Based: 1967
- Franchising since: 1972
- Total rank: 92
- Variety of items: 231
- Change in items: +12.7% over 3 years
- Preliminary funding: $810,250 – $1,852,800
- Management: Mark Parmerlee, CEO
- Mum or dad firm: Golden Franchising Corp.
Golden Chick is a seasoned Southern-style hen franchise with roots relationship again to 1967. Recognized for its signature hand-breaded Golden Tenders, the model has constructed a loyal following throughout the South and Midwest. With greater than 230 places and counting, Golden Chick gives franchisees robust operational help, complete coaching and advertising and marketing steering. It is a stable possibility for each first-time homeowners and skilled operators on the lookout for a reliable, scalable business with regional appeal.
Associated: I Walked Away From a Corporate Career to Start My Own Small Business — Here’s Why You Should Do the Same
6. Zaxby’s
- Based: 1990
- Franchising since: 1994
- Total rank: 109
- Variety of items: 960
- Change in items: +5.7% over 3 years
- Preliminary funding: $1,406,700 – $3,323,200
- Management: Mike Mettler, CDO
- Mum or dad firm: Zaxby’s SPE Franchisor LLC
Zaxby’s stands out within the fast-casual hen area with its crave-worthy hen fingers, wings, hearty sandwiches, and signature “Zalads,” all paired with daring dipping sauces. With almost 1,000 places — predominantly within the Southern U.S. — Zaxby’s ranked #109 in Entrepreneur‘s 2025 Franchise 500 and continues to climb. Franchisees obtain robust help, from website choice and coaching to advertising and marketing and proprietary tech. Recognized for its hospitality and group focus, it is a stable selection for operators eyeing contemporary fast-casual development.
Associated: This One Leadership Move Will Transform Your Team’s Loyalty and Performance
7. Bojangles
- Based: 1977
- Franchising since: 1978
- Total rank: 145
- Variety of items: 813
- Change in items: +4.9% over 3 years
- Preliminary funding: $720,220 – $3,779,700
- Management: Jose Armario, CEO
- Mum or dad firm: The Jordan Firm & Durational Capital Administration LP
Bojangles makes a speciality of Cajun-seasoned fried hen and buttermilk biscuits, constructing a loyal following since its 1977 debut in Charlotte. The model ranks #145 on Entrepreneur‘s 2025 Franchise 500 and has expanded to greater than 800 places with regular multi-year development. Franchisees profit from complete help—together with website choice, in-depth coaching, advertising and marketing help, and proprietary instruments — together with robust group branding rooted in Southern hospitality, making it a standout alternative within the fast-food hen class.
8. Chester’s
- Based: 1952
- Franchising since: 2004
- Total rank: 237
- Variety of items: 1,062
- Change in items: -16% over 3 years
- Preliminary funding: $27,500 – $296,500
- Management: Wynn Giles, Managing Director
- Mum or dad firm: N/A
Chester’s brings contemporary, never-frozen, double-breaded fried hen to comfort shops, supermarkets, and journey stops throughout the U.S., utilizing a secret household recipe that is constructed a loyal following. With over 1,000 places, the model has change into a staple in high-traffic, nontraditional venues. Ranked #237 on Entrepreneur‘s 2025 Franchise 500, Chester’s gives streamlined startup prices, robust coaching, advertising and marketing help and a recognizable “Fried With Love” id — ultimate for operators searching for a easy, scalable hen idea.
Associated: Selling as a Founder Is Brutal — It Was Also the Reason We Reached $400M in Revenue
9. Church’s Texas Rooster
- Based: 1952
- Franchising since: 1969
- Total rank: 402
- Variety of items: 1,532
- Change in items: +5.4% over 3 years
- Preliminary funding: $648,866 – $1,896,300
- Management: Roland Gonzalez, CEO
- Mum or dad firm: Cajun World LLC
Church’s Texas Chicken brings daring, bone‑in fried hen, honey‑butter biscuits, and flavorful sides to excessive‑site visitors places like malls, comfort stops, and drive‑ins. Launched in 1952 in San Antonio, it has grown steadily to over 1,500 items throughout greater than 20 nations. Ranked #402 on Entrepreneur‘s 2025 Franchise 500, the model combines legacy enchantment with fashionable development help — actual‑property experience, thorough coaching, advertising and marketing instruments and supply-chain backing — providing entrepreneurs a resilient, hospitality-driven funding in consolation‑meals franchising.
Associated: Why Hustle Culture Is the Most Dangerous Lie Founders Still Believe
10. Dave’s Sizzling Rooster
- Based: 2018
- Franchising since: 2019
- Total rank: 453
- Variety of items: 211
- Change in items: +1,072.2% over 3 years
- Preliminary funding: $619,800 – $1,963,000
- Management: Invoice Phelps, CEO
- Mum or dad firm: Roark Capital
Dave’s Hot Chicken has ignited a foodie frenzy with its Nashville‑type sizzling hen tenders and sliders, provided in seven spice ranges and paired with easy sides like mac-and-cheese. Since franchising started in 2019, it is surged to over 200 U.S. places and climbed into Entrepreneur‘s 2025 Franchise 500, rating #453 — up almost 30 spots — because of explosive unit development and viral enchantment. Backed by celeb traders and now owned by Roark Capital, Dave’s brings daring taste and powerful franchise help to hot-casual hen lovers.
