From whom are payments to Chick Fil A for the proprietary seasoning received?
Chick_Fil_A Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
franchised Chick-fil-A Restaurant business.
Item 8
RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Approved Supplies and Suppliers: Chick-fil-A has an interest in the proprietary seasoning used in the preparation of certain Chick-fil-A brand chicken products. Chick-fil-A purchases the seasoning from the producers of the seasoning and has it shipped directly to Chick-fil-A's authorized or approved poultry suppliers. These poultry suppliers then apply the seasoning to most of the chicken products sold to the Operators. Payments to Chick-fil-A for the proprietary seasoning are received from the poultry supplier when the chicken is sold to Chick-fil-A's authorized distributor(s). Currently, Chick-fil-A is receiving payments of approximately $.06 per pound of seasoned chicken, which amount includes a payment to Chick-fil-A for its proprietary interest in the seasoning, and which amount may vary and otherwise change due to among other things food costs and product initiatives.
Chick-fil-A also has an interest in the proprietary seasoned coater used in the preparation of most Chick-fil-A brand chicken products. The seasoned coater is purchased by Chick-fil-A from the producer and is shipped directly to Chick-fil-A's authorized distributor(s). Payments to Chick-fil-A for the proprietary seasoned coater are received from the distributor(s) of the seasoned coat
Source: Item 8 — Restrictions on Sources of Products and Services (FDD pages 43–49)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chick Fil A's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, payments to Chick Fil A for the proprietary seasoning are received from the poultry supplier when the chicken is sold to Chick Fil A's authorized distributor(s). The poultry suppliers apply the seasoning to most of the chicken products sold to the Operators.
Currently, Chick Fil A receives approximately $.06 per pound of seasoned chicken. This amount includes a payment to Chick Fil A for its proprietary interest in the seasoning. However, this amount may vary and otherwise change due to food costs and product initiatives.
Chick Fil A also has an interest in the proprietary seasoned coater used in the preparation of most Chick Fil A brand chicken products. Payments to Chick Fil A for the proprietary seasoned coater are received from the distributor(s) of the seasoned coater when the seasoned coater is purchased by the distributor(s) from Chick Fil A. The distributor(s) then sells the seasoned coater to the Operators.