Chick-fil-A Franchise Operator alternatives
Chick-fil-A lists $10,000 initial franchise fee in non-gifted, non-borrowed funds. If that rate, model or product isn't the right fit for your audience, these 5 food & beverage programs accept the same kinds of partners.
Terms checked October 2026 · PartnersWatch is not affiliated with these brands
Quick picks
- Highest stated percentage: Jimmy John's, Royalty 6% of gross sales; advertising & development fund 4.5% of gross sales.
Chick-fil-A vs alternatives: side by side
| Program | Terms | Model | Partner types | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chick-fil-A | $10,000 initial franchise fee in non-gifted, non-borrowed funds | — | Franchisee, Location operator | Legal right to operate a franchise in the US; no bankruptcy history; full-time hands-on commitment; team leadership experience; fluent English. Selection is competitive with no guarantee. |
| Arby's | Royalty 4% of gross sales; minimum combined advertising fee 5.2% of gross sales | Royalty | Franchisee | $500,000 liquid assets; $1,000,000 net worth. |
| Crumbl | Minimum liquidity of $200,000 | — | Franchisee | Minimum liquidity of $200,000. |
| Burger King | Not published | — | Franchisee | Proven operators, primarily for multi-unit acquisitions |
| Jimmy John's | Royalty 6% of gross sales; advertising & development fund 4.5% of gross sales | Royalty | Franchisee | $200,000 liquid assets; $1,000,000 net worth. |
One more program doesn't publish terms or requirements, so it's left out of the table: Wendy's.
The 5 alternatives
Arby's Franchising (Inspire Brands)
Franchise a meat-focused sandwich chain with 3,500+ restaurants. Terms: Royalty 4% of gross sales; minimum combined advertising fee 5.2% of gross sales. Partners get training and franchise business consultant, real estate guidance, national marketing.
Wendy's Franchising
Quick-service burger franchise with U.S. and international paths. Partners get development programs, preferred lender relationships, international franchising track.
Crumbl Franchising
Open a Crumbl cookie bakery with a weekly rotating menu. Partners get site selection help from hq, training and onboarding, ordering app and tech stack.
Burger King Franchising
Global burger franchise, now growing mainly through multi-unit deals. Partners get training and support program, priority market guidance.
Jimmy John's Franchising (Inspire Brands)
Franchise a fast sandwich brand with 2,600+ restaurants. Terms: Royalty 6% of gross sales; advertising & development fund 4.5% of gross sales. Partners get training and franchise business consultant, real estate and construction guidance, national marketing.
FAQ
What are the best alternatives to the Chick-fil-A Franchise Operator?
The closest matches in the PartnersWatch directory are Arby's (Royalty 4% of gross sales; minimum combined advertising fee 5.2% of gross sales); Wendy's (Not published); Crumbl (Minimum liquidity of $200,000); Burger King (Not published); Jimmy John's (Royalty 6% of gross sales; advertising & development fund 4.5% of gross sales). Each is open to franchisee, location operators like Chick-fil-A's program.
Chick-fil-A or Arby's: which partner program is better?
Chick-fil-A lists $10,000 initial franchise fee in non-gifted, non-borrowed funds; Arby's lists Royalty 4% of gross sales; minimum combined advertising fee 5.2% of gross sales (royalty). The better one is the product your audience is more likely to buy and keep, so compare fit before rate.
How were these Chick-fil-A alternatives chosen?
We match listings in the same industry that accept the same partner types, then prefer the same commission model. Terms come from each brand's public partner page; confirm them before you promote.
Browse every food & beverage partner program, read how we list programs, or go back to the Chick-fil-A Franchise Operator.