Firstly, what does it mean to become a Chick-fil-A Operator.
Becoming a local Owner-Operator offers the opportunity to build a business, shape a culture and invest in a better future. Six days a week, in communities all across the globe, more than 3,000 Chick-fil-A restaurants are serving hand-breaded chicken sandwiches, hot waffle fries and genuine hospitality. And behind the vast majority of these restaurants are the franchise owners—or Operators, as we call them—fuelled by entrepreneurial spirits for building businesses and communities.
What you need to know about becoming a Chick-fil-A franchisee
“Almost impossible!” “Harder than getting into an Ivy League college!”
People say a lot of things about Chick-fil-A’s local Owner-Operator selection process. Trust us, we’ve heard them all. So, to give you some insights into those who are selected to be our local Owner-Operators, here are a few of the common myths about the Chick-fil-A Operator selection process:
- Myth: It only costs £10,000 upfront.
The truth: While operating a Chick-fil-A restaurant requires a modest initial investment of approximately £10,000, it requires a holistic commitment to own and operate the business in a hands-on manner. Local Owner-Operators invest much more than money – they invest time and energy in their businesses, supporting and training their Team Members, as well as caring for their local communities. Being a Chick-fil-A local Owner-Operator is anything but a passive investment. They are responsible for all day-to-day activities of the business, including cultivating relationships with local organisations and businesses, and tailoring philanthropic efforts to meet the local community’s needs. For Chick-fil-A Operators, their success and return on investment are proportionate to their hard work, business acumen and leadership effectiveness. - Myth: You must have worked at a Chick-fil-A restaurant before applying for a franchise opportunity.
The truth: Nope. More than 25 percent of our newly selected franchised local Owner-Operators never worked at a Chick-fil-A branded restaurant (or even for Chick-fil-A, Inc.) before applying to become a franchised Operator. We take great care in selecting Chick-fil-A Operators, and we look for people with great business acumen, an entrepreneurial spirit, and passion for serving others. - Myth: You need to have some type of restaurant experience.
The truth: While some Chick-fil-A local Owner-Operators come from the restaurant industry, most have entirely different backgrounds. There are local Owner-Operators who have worked in industries from manufacturing to law enforcement to education to retail to healthcare. In short, there’s no cookie-cutter previous experience among our selected Operators. But they all have in common an entrepreneurial spirit, a passion for helping others and a deep desire for caring for the community. Becoming a local Owner-Operator is a hands-on, life investment. It often requires long hours and leading a team of mostly entry-level, hourly-paid employees. It’s hard work – but it’s exceedingly rewarding. - Myth: Chick-fil-A Operators can only own one restaurant.
The truth: Once an Operator has successfully operated their first restaurant, a select group have the opportunity to expand their impact and operate additional restaurants (up to three additional restaurants). They’re often chosen because of their extensive knowledge, history with the area and integration into the community and passion for expanding their reach of service. - Myth: It’s impossible to get selected.
The truth: It’s true that the Chick-fil-A local Owner-Operator selection process is highly competitive and selective. Thousands apply each year for relatively few restaurant opportunities. But we are always looking for those select few who are strong leaders with proven track records in business leadership, results-oriented self-starters and are willing to devote their full time and best personal efforts toward starting and growing a business while giving back to their communities. Local Owner-Operators have the opportunity to impact countless lives, from their Team Members to their guests who walk into their restaurants every day. If you think you’ve got what it takes, then we’d love to hear from you. Click here to get started.
