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