Chick-fil-A vs Wendy's
Franchise Comparison 2026
Chick-fil-A is a full-service restaurants franchise, while Wendy's operates in quick-service restaurants. Chick-fil-A requires an investment of $427K – $2.3M while Wendy's requires $410K – $3.1M. In terms of revenue, Chick-fil-A reports higher average unit revenue at $9.3M. On SBA loan performance, Chick-fil-A has a lower charge-off rate (0.0%) compared to Wendy's (1.3%). FranchiseVerdict rates Chick-fil-A A (Excellent) and Wendy's A (Excellent).
| Metric | Chick-fil-A | Wendy's |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AExcellentExcellent | AExcellentExcellent |
| Investment Range | $427K – $2.3M | $410K – $3.1M |
| Franchise Fee | $10K | $50K |
| Royalty Rate | 15.0% | 4-6% of Gross Sales depending on restaurant type and development program (4% traditional/Groundbreaker, 5% Pacesetter, 6% military/Build-to-Suit) |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $9.3M | $2.1M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 0.0% (2 loans) | 1.3% (99 loans) |
| Total Units | 2,684 | 7,397 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1987 | 1971 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$427K – $2.3M
$410K – $3.1M
Franchise Fee
$10K
$50K
Royalty Rate
15.0%
4-6% of Gross Sales depending on restaurant type and development program (4% traditional/Groundbreaker, 5% Pacesetter, 6% military/Build-to-Suit)
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$9.3M
$2.1M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
0.0% (2 loans)
1.3% (99 loans)
Total Units
2,684
7,397
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1987
1971
FDD Year
2025
2026