What you need to know about becoming a Chick-fil-A franchisee
People say a lot of things about Chick-fil-A’s Operator selection process. Trust us, we’ve heard them all. So to give you some insights into the folks who are selected to be our franchisees (known as Operators), here are a few of the common myths about the Chick-fil-A Operator selection process:
You must live in the southeast
Yes, it’s true that the first Chick-fil-A was opened at Greenbriar Mall in Atlanta in 1967. But there are now Chick-fil-A restaurants in 46 states around the U.S., and franchised restaurants are continuing to pop up all over the country. Want proof? Here’s a list of upcoming openings. In addition to franchise opportunities around the southeast, Chick-fil-A is currently recruiting for Operators in places like Massachusetts, Minnesota, California, Illinois and Maine.
It only costs $10,000
It’s true that the initial franchise fee expected from Chick-fil-A Operators is $10,000, but the total initial investment goes beyond the amount of that payment. Operators also invest much more than money -- they invest time and energy in their businesses, teams and communities. Being a franchised Chick-fil-A Operator is anything but a passive investment. Just ask Mark Meadows, franchised Operator of a location in Birmingham, Ala., who has given out food to drivers stranded in a snowstorm. Or talk with Pamela Moncree, Operator of a Raleigh-Durham, N.C. Chick-fil-A, who runs a tutoring program at her restaurant. Or meet Jamie Ochsner, a franchised Operator who created a program that rewards her Team Members in Fort Wayne, Indiana for earning good grades in school. For Chick-fil-A Operators, their return on investment goes well beyond the dollars and cents.
You must have worked at a Chick-fil-A restaurant before applying for a franchise opportunity
Nope. More than 40-percent of our newly selected franchised Operators never worked for Chick-fil-A, Inc., or at a Chick-fil-A restaurant before applying to become a franchised Operator.
You need to have some type of restaurant experience
Guess again. While some Chick-fil-A Operators come from the restaurant industry, most have entirely different backgrounds. Jim Toth, franchised Operator at the Chick-fil-A in Temecula, Calif., is a retired Marine Corps. Lt. Colonel. There are Operators who have worked in industries from manufacturing to law enforcement to education to retail to healthcare. In short, there’s no cookie-cutter previous experience among our selected Operators.
It’s impossible to get selected
Yes, the Chick-fil-A Operator selection process is, well, selective. Thousands apply each year and relatively few are chosen. But, we are always looking for those select few who are strong leaders with proven track records in business leadership, results-oriented self-starters and are willing to devote their best personal efforts toward starting and growing a business while giving back to their communities. Operators have the opportunity to impact countless lives, from their Team Members to their guests who walk into their restaurants every day. If you think you’ve got what it takes, then we’d love to hear from you. Click here to get started.
