Chick-fil-A vs Hardee's
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Chick-fil-A and Hardee's are quick-service restaurants franchises. Chick-fil-A requires an investment of $586K – $3.4M while Hardee's requires $1.4M – $2.6M. In terms of revenue, Chick-fil-A reports higher average unit revenue at $9.3M. Hardee's has SBA lending data on file with a 39.0% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates Chick-fil-A A (Strongest tier) and Hardee's C (Average).
| Metric | Chick-fil-A | Hardee's |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | CAverageAverage |
| Investment Range | $586K – $3.4M | $1.4M – $2.6M |
| Franchise Fee | $10K | $25K |
| Royalty Rate | 10.0% | 4.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $9.3M | $1.3M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | Limited data | 39.0% (55 loans) |
| Total Units | 2,684 | 1,571 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1992 | 2013 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$586K – $3.4M
$1.4M – $2.6M
Franchise Fee
$10K
$25K
Royalty Rate
10.0%
4.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$9.3M
$1.3M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
Limited data
39.0% (55 loans)
Total Units
2,684
1,571
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1992
2013
FDD Year
2025
2026