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Chester's FDD Analysis · 2026

Chester's Franchise Cost (2026 FDD)

Inside the Chester's franchise disclosure

You searched the right thing. The FDD is the document that spells out what a Chester's franchise is really about — what you're committing to, and what they're committing to you. Here's a sampling of what their 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document reveals:

Investment to open
$16K–$306K
System size
918918 franchised
Financial perf. (Item 19)
Not in this FDD
Year
2026analyzed May 8

§What changed — in 2025, Chester's contracted from 994 to 918 locations. (Item 20.)

§Already a Chester's franchisee? See everything that changed since you signed →

01 · From the filing

Here's what their franchise disclosure tells you

Six of the items Chester's 2026 FDD has to answer, drawn straight from the filing. The rest of the document — and the figures behind these — open in the Workspace. See what that looks like →

§
Item 7
·

Estimated Initial Investment

The full cost to open, low to high, including working capital.
$15,500–$306,500
§
Item 19
·

Financial Performance

Makes no financial performance representation — no earnings figures are disclosed.
§
Item 20
·

Outlets & Franchisees

Outlet counts, openings and closures, turnover.
918 locations
In 2025, opened 120 new locations and closed 151.
§
Item 6
·

Other Fees

The recurring fees — royalty, brand fund, and the rest.
Varies (see Item 6) royalty
See the full fee schedule with Clara →
§
Item 12
·

Territory

Does not give you a protected area of your own.
Ask Clara what the terms mean →

Chester's $15K–$307K sits against a median of $1,277,000 across the 31 chicken franchises on file that disclose an investment range.

02 · Read it with Clara

Open Chester's FDD in the Clearly Workspace — with Clara beside you.

Chester's franchise agreement is a 5-year commitment — and the FDD spells out exactly what you're signing up for. You cannot change the FDD, and that's not the point. The point is to walk into your attorney conversation already knowing the document, so you ask the questions that matter most to you.

Clara is an expert FDD assistant. Ask her anything about Chester's filing and she answers from the document itself, with the item and page she read it in — so you can check her.

People ask Clara —

  • What does it actually cost to open?
  • What fees come after the franchise fee?
  • How do their locations perform?
  • Do I get a protected territory?
  • What happens if I want out?

The Chester's Workspace

$49

Intro price · one-time · yours to keep

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The full FDD · Clara beside you · saved to your Clearly Library. We're not paid if you sign — we're here to help you understand it before you do.

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03 · Common questions

Common questions

How much does it cost to open a Chester's franchise?

Chester's 2026 FDD estimates a total initial investment of $15,500 to $306,500. (Item 7.)

What are the ongoing fees for a Chester's franchise?

Chester's reports a royalty of varies (see Item 6); the remaining recurring fees are itemized in Item 6 of the 2026 FDD.

Does Chester's share how its franchises perform financially?

Chester's 2026 FDD does not include a financial performance representation — Item 19 makes no earnings claims.

How many Chester's locations are there?

Chester's 2026 FDD reports 918 locations — 918 franchised and 0 company-owned (Item 20).

Drawn from Chester's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document · last updated May 8, 2026.

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