URBAN BIRD HOT CHICKEN
INVESTMENT:
BUILT BY RESTAURANT
OPERATORS, REFINED IN
NEARLY 30 RESTAURANTS
URBAN BIRD HOT CHICKEN
INVESTMENT:
BUILT BY RESTAURANT
OPERATORS, REFINED IN
NEARLY 30 RESTAURANTS
Urban Bird Franchise Investment: Startup Costs, Fees, Financial Performance and Growth Opportunity
Urban Bird Franchise Investment: Startup Costs, Fees, Financial Performance and Growth Opportunity
When evaluating a restaurant franchise opportunity, understanding the investment is only part of the equation. It's equally important to understand the operating model, the leadership behind the brand and the performance of the restaurants already in operation.
Before launching our franchise program, the Urban Bird Hot Chicken founders spent years building, testing and refining the concept across nearly 30 company-owned restaurants. That experience allowed the brand to develop systems, operations and the guest experience based on real-world performance rather than theory.
Today, Urban Bird Hot Chicken is a fast-casual hot chicken franchise built for growth. In 2025, company-owned restaurants reported average gross sales exceeding $1.8 million, demonstrating the strength of the brand and the demand for the brand's craveable menu and streamlined operating model.
According to the Urban Bird Hot Chicken Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), the estimated initial investment to open a franchise ranges from approximately $236,300 to $587,800 for a second-generation restaurant conversion and from $431,300 to $837,800 for a first-generation buildout. Actual investment costs vary based on factors such as real estate, construction requirements and local market conditions.
For entrepreneurs seeking a proven restaurant franchise opportunity, Urban Bird Hot Chicken offers a model built by experienced operators, refined through company-owned restaurants and designed to support sustainable growth as the franchise expands into new markets across the country.
Expenditure | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
Initial Franchise Fee | $35,000 | $35,000 |
Construction and Leasehold Improvements (Note 2) | $220,000 | $400,000 |
Lease Deposits and Rent – Three Months (Note 3) | $15,000 | $36,000 |
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment and Decor (Note 4) | $44,000 | $144,000 |
Signage | $7,000 | $20,000 |
Computer, Software, and Point of Sale System (Note 6) | $7,000 | $17,000 |
Grand Opening Marketing (Note 7) | $5,000 | $15,000 |
Initial Inventory (Note 8) | $12,000 | $16,000 |
Utility Deposits (Note 9) | $2,500 | $12,000 |
Insurance Deposits – Three Months (Note 10) | $1,800 | $3,800 |
Travel for Initial Training (Note 11) | $3,000 | $10,000 |
Professional Fees (Note 12) | $4,500 | $20,500 |
General Licenses and Permits (Note 13) | $4,500 | $10,000 |
Additional Funds – Three Months (Note 14) | $70,000 | $100,000 |
Total Estimate (Note 15) | $431,300 | $837,800 |
How Much can you make
average gross sales
$1,803,101
HIGHESt gross sales
$3,784,619
Lowest gross sales
$1,130,904
average direct gross profit
$552,628
“When you’ve operated restaurants for as long as we have, you know the numbers matter just as much as the food. We’ve spent years studying the business from every angle — food costs, labor, vendors and real estate strategy — and making changes that make the model stronger.”
-Co-Founder, Chantel Fiaschetti