Under what circumstances does Chick Fil A intend to open and operate a new Chick Fil A Restaurant?
Chick_Fil_A Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Note: Chick-fil-A does not intend to open any company-owned Chick-fil-A Restaurants; however, if an Operator has not been selected for a particular location, Chick-fil-A will sometimes open and operate a new Chick-fil-A Restaurant until an Operator has been selected and trained and a Franchise Agreement has been executed for that location.
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, Chick Fil A does not intend to open company-owned Chick Fil A Restaurants. However, there is an exception to this general practice. If an operator has not yet been selected for a specific location, Chick Fil A may open and operate the new Chick Fil A Restaurant temporarily.
This temporary operation by Chick Fil A continues only until a suitable operator is found, properly trained, and a Franchise Agreement is officially executed for that particular restaurant location. This ensures that new restaurants can commence operations without delay, even if a franchisee isn't immediately available.
For a prospective franchisee, this indicates that Chick Fil A is committed to ensuring each location is operational with a qualified operator. It also suggests that Chick Fil A takes responsibility for maintaining the brand's standards and service quality, even during transitional periods. This commitment can be reassuring for new franchisees, as it demonstrates Chick Fil A's investment in the success of each restaurant.