What does 'Opened' signify in the Chick Fil A franchise outlet table?
Chick_Fil_A Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Notes:
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- All numbers for "Outlets at Start of the Year" in the preceding table are as of the beginning of each fiscal year. All numbers for "Outlets at End of the Year" in the preceding table are as of the end of each fiscal year.
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- For purposes of the above table, "Opened" reflects the total number of franchised Chick-fil-A Restaurants opened in each state during each fiscal year, including both new restaurants and company-owned restaurant operations purchased by an Operator from Chick-fil-A.
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- For purposes of the above table, "Terminations" reflects the total number of Franchise Agreements terminated in each state during each fiscal year by Chick-fil-A prior to the end of the Franchise Agreement's term and without providing any consideration to the Operator (whether by payment, forgiveness or assumption of debt, or new franchised Chick-fil-A Restaurant opportunity).
Source: Item 20 — Outlets and Franchisee Information (FDD pages 83–102)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chick Fil A's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the term "Opened" in the context of the franchise outlet table reflects the total number of franchised Chick-fil-A Restaurants opened in each state during each fiscal year. This number includes both newly established restaurants and company-owned restaurant operations that were purchased by an Operator (franchisee) from Chick-fil-A. This provides insight into the growth and expansion of Chick Fil A franchised locations across different states annually.
For a prospective franchisee, understanding this definition is crucial for interpreting the data presented in the table. It clarifies that the "Opened" column isn't just about new locations but also includes existing company-operated restaurants that have been converted into franchised units. This distinction can be important in assessing the overall investment and operational strategies of Chick Fil A in different markets.
It's worth noting that Chick Fil A also provides data on company-owned outlets and licensed units in separate tables. The definition of "Opened" may vary slightly between these tables to reflect the specific nature of those units. For instance, "Opened" in the context of Chick-fil-A Licensed Units includes both new licensed units and company-owned licensed units purchased by a Licensee from Chick-fil-A. Therefore, franchisees should pay close attention to which table they are reviewing and the corresponding definition of "Opened" to accurately assess the growth and changes within each segment of the Chick Fil A system.