Chick-fil-A vs Wendy's
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Chick-fil-A and Wendy's are quick-service restaurants franchises. Chick-fil-A requires an investment of $586K – $3.4M while Wendy's requires $1.6M – $3.1M. In terms of revenue, Chick-fil-A reports higher average unit revenue at $9.3M. Wendy's has SBA lending data on file with a 0.8% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates Chick-fil-A A (Strongest tier) and Wendy's A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Chick-fil-A | Wendy's |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $586K – $3.4M | $1.6M – $3.1M |
| Franchise Fee | $10K | $50K |
| Royalty Rate | 10.0% | 4.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $9.3M | $2.0M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | Limited data | 0.8% (200 loans) |
| Total Units | 2,684 | 5,969 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1992 | 1971 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$586K – $3.4M
$1.6M – $3.1M
Franchise Fee
$10K
$50K
Royalty Rate
10.0%
4.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$9.3M
$2.0M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
Limited data
0.8% (200 loans)
Total Units
2,684
5,969
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1992
1971
FDD Year
2025
2026