Golden Chick vs Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Golden Chick and Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken are quick-service restaurants franchises. Golden Chick requires an investment of $994K – $1.9M while Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken requires $517K – $2.4M. In terms of revenue, Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken reports higher average unit revenue at $1.8M. Golden Chick has SBA lending data on file with a 4.2% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates Golden Chick A (Strongest tier) and Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Golden Chick | Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | AStrongest tierStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $994K – $1.9M | $517K – $2.4M |
| Franchise Fee | $30K | $35K |
| Royalty Rate | 4.0% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $1.4MIncl. company outlets | $1.8M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 4.2% (48 loans) | N/A |
| Total Units | 220 | 126 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1989 | 2021 |
| FDD Year | 2024 | 2025 |
Investment Range
$994K – $1.9M
$517K – $2.4M
Franchise Fee
$30K
$35K
Royalty Rate
4.0%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$1.4MIncl. company outlets
$1.8M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
4.2% (48 loans)
N/A
Total Units
220
126
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1989
2021
FDD Year
2024
2025