St. Charles, Ill. – Chick‑fil A remains one of the nation’s most selective franchise systems, drawing roughly 100,000 hopeful applicants each year while ultimately choosing only about 200 owner‑operators. Julian Good, who runs a Chick‑fil A restaurant in St. Charles, explained the process on the “Founder Talk” podcast.

Steady franchise fee and rigorous selection

Good noted that the franchise fee has stayed at $10,000 for the past five decades, a figure that is modest compared with many other fast‑food chains. However, the low fee does not translate into an easy path to ownership. The company describes its selection process as “highly competitive,” seeking leaders willing to devote full time and effort to operating a restaurant.

Applicants without prior Chick‑fil A experience often wait three to five years before receiving an opportunity. In fact, more than 25% of newly selected owner‑operators had never worked at a Chick‑fil A restaurant or for the company before applying. Operators come from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including manufacturing, health care, education, law enforcement and retail.

No equity, no generational transfer

Unlike many franchise models, Chick‑fil A retains ownership of the restaurant, its equipment and, in most cases, the real estate. This means that owner‑operators do not build equity in the business and cannot sell the restaurant or pass it to their children when they retire. Good emphasized that when an operator retires, the location simply returns to Chick‑fil A’s corporate control.

Sunday closure reflects company values

All Chick‑fil A locations are closed on Sundays, a tradition Good described as “a way to glorify God and give back to the team and the community.” The practice underscores the chain’s Christian‑based corporate culture and its commitment to providing employees with a day of rest.

Impact on local communities

Chick‑fil A highlights that its operators devote their time to managing the restaurant, developing employees and serving the surrounding community. Good said this focus on service aligns with the brand’s broader mission to be a positive presence in neighborhoods across the country.

What prospective owners should know

• Application pool: ~100,000 yearly applicants.
• Selection rate: roughly 0.2% (about 200 chosen).
• Franchise fee: $10,000, unchanged for 50 years.
• Equity: Operators do not own the restaurant or its assets.
• Generational transfer: Not permitted; locations revert to corporate control upon retirement.
• Sunday closure: All locations closed, reflecting the company’s faith‑based values.

Fox News Digital reached out to Chick‑fil A for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.