How to Finance a Birdcall Franchise: Multi-Unit Chicken Deals
By Marc Cornella
A Birdcall franchise loan is rarely a one-restaurant conversation. The Denver-based fast-casual chicken brand asks franchisees to commit to several restaurants, so the financing plan has to cover a first build-out today and leave room for the next ones on a development schedule.
That changes how you prepare. Lenders will look at your capacity to open the first Birdcall restaurant and at whether your liquidity, experience and management bench can support the units that follow.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Birdcall; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document and website can change, loan programs vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice; review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and accountant before you sign.
Birdcall Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: fast-casual restaurant built around all-natural chicken, with self-order kiosks and the brand’s own ordering and operations software.
- Franchise fee: $50,000, according to the franchisor’s 2025 and 2026 franchise announcements.
- Initial investment: starts at $762,000, including the franchise fee, according to the company’s July 2026 announcement; Item 7 of the current FDD sets out the full range.
- Royalty and marketing contribution: not published on the franchise site; see Item 6 of the FDD.
- Development commitment: the franchisor’s site describes a minimum commitment of three restaurants.
- Typical restaurant: about 2,300 square feet with seating for 125 to 150 guests indoors and outdoors.
- System size: the company reported 17 locations across Arizona, Colorado and Texas in July 2026.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S8687, with two real estate notes explained below.
What Is Birdcall?
Birdcall opened its first restaurant in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood and grew as a company-operated chain across Colorado, Arizona and Texas before opening the brand to franchising. Its pitch centers on all-natural chicken sandwiches and tenders, fresh ingredients and a fast, technology-forward guest experience.
Technology is unusually central to the brand. Guests order at bright-yellow kiosks, and the restaurants run on proprietary software that handles ordering, kitchen displays and digital channels. For a lender, that means part of the operating model is licensed rather than purchased, and the technology fees in Item 6 deserve close attention in your projections.
The franchisor prefers freestanding sites but also considers end-cap spaces with drive-thrus and nontraditional venues such as airports, colleges, hospitals, amusement parks and sports and entertainment venues. In July 2026 the company announced plans to open 100 franchised restaurants over five years across six Midwest states, which tells you the brand is still early in its franchise life.
For a Birdcall franchise loan, that early stage matters: there is less franchisee history to point to, so your own experience and capitalization carry more weight.
Birdcall Franchise Costs
Initial Franchise Fee
The franchisor’s announcements put the franchise fee at $50,000 per restaurant. Because Birdcall sells multi-unit deals, check Item 5 of the current FDD for how fees are collected under a development agreement, including whether part of the fee for future units is due at signing.
Real Estate and Build-Out
Site costs drive the spread in any fast-casual investment. A freestanding restaurant with patio seating and a drive-thru lane involves very different spending than an end-cap lease or a venue location. Expect lenders to ask for a lease or purchase contract, a construction budget and a contractor bid before they size a loan.
Kitchen Equipment and Technology
Fryers, refrigeration, hoods, kiosks, kitchen display screens and point-of-sale hardware are part of the opening budget, and some must come from approved vendors.
Opening Costs and Working Capital
Training, pre-opening payroll, opening inventory, grand opening marketing, deposits and an operating reserve all sit outside the build-out. Item 7 of the FDD states an “additional funds” amount for an initial period; lenders usually want to see that reserve funded.
Total Investment
The company’s July 2026 announcement said the initial investment starts at $762,000, including the $50,000 franchise fee. Earlier franchisor materials showed different ranges, so rely on Item 7 of the FDD you receive. When you read Item 7, compare these line items:
- Initial franchise fee (and any development fee).
- Real estate, rent and security deposits.
- Leasehold improvements or construction.
- Kitchen equipment, furniture and fixtures.
- Ordering kiosks, technology and point-of-sale systems.
- Signage and exterior elements, including drive-thru components where used.
- Opening inventory and supplies.
- Training, travel and grand opening marketing.
- Professional fees, licenses and permits.
- Additional funds for the initial operating period.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Birdcall does not publish its royalty, brand fund or technology fees on the franchise site, so Item 6 of the FDD is the source. Read it line by line, because every recurring fee comes out of the cash flow that repays your loan.
Lenders build a debt service coverage analysis from projected sales minus food and paper costs, labor, occupancy, royalties, marketing contributions and technology fees. If fees are percentage-based, they rise with sales; fixed technology charges hit hardest in a slow first year. Your projections should show each fee as its own line.
Also look for remodel, refresh or equipment upgrade requirements in the franchise agreement. A required technology or kiosk upgrade a few years in is a capital expense your lender will want to see planned for.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
Birdcall’s franchise site does not publish a minimum net worth or liquid capital figure; its inquiry form simply asks for ranges. The franchisor describes its ideal partner as an operator who will build multiple restaurants, with a minimum commitment of three, and it looks for owners who are connected to their communities.
Expect the approval process to include an application, introductory calls, review of the FDD, a discovery visit and financial verification before a development agreement is signed. Ask the franchisor directly for its current net worth and liquidity thresholds, since lenders will test you against both the franchisor’s standard and their own.
Ways to Own a Birdcall
New Restaurant Development
Most current opportunities are new restaurants built under a development agreement. Financing usually covers the first unit, with each later unit financed as it is ready to build. Start-up financing guidance is on our franchise start-up loan page.
Buying an Existing Location
Because franchising is new for the brand, resales will be uncommon for some time. If one does come up, the deal will be valued on the restaurant’s actual results, and the franchisor’s transfer approval will be required. Our franchise restaurant acquisition financing page explains how lenders approach an existing unit.
Nontraditional Venues
Airport, campus, hospital and arena locations often involve a concession or license agreement rather than a standard lease. Lenders will review the term and termination rights of that agreement closely, since it controls how long the restaurant can operate.
Financing Options for a Birdcall Franchise
SBA 7(a) Loans
An SBA 7(a) loan can fund build-out, equipment, the franchise fee and working capital in one package. Learn more about SBA 7(a) loans for franchise owners.
SBA 504 Loans
If you plan to buy land and build a freestanding Birdcall, an SBA 504 loan can finance the real estate and long-lived assets. Owning the site also affects how the directory notes below apply.
Conventional Term Loans
Experienced multi-unit operators with strong balance sheets may qualify for conventional business loans, which can offer more flexibility in structure for a development program.
Equipment Financing
Fryers, refrigeration, hoods, kiosks and display screens can be financed separately with restaurant equipment financing, preserving cash for build-out and reserves.
Working Capital and Lines of Credit
Pre-opening payroll, training and the first months of operation need cash before sales stabilize. A restaurant working capital facility can bridge those needs.
Seller Financing on Resales
On a future resale, a seller may carry a note for part of the price. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA programs place limits on how they are structured.
SBA Loans for Birdcall Franchisees
Birdcall appears on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S8687. For a Birdcall franchise loan, that listing matters: it means the SBA has reviewed the franchise documents and found the brand eligible for SBA-guaranteed financing, subject to the notes attached to the listing. It does not mean your loan is approved. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change.
The listing carries two notes, and both concern real estate:
- Lease addendum: when the real estate where the restaurant sits will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the franchisor’s lease addendum may not be executed. In plain terms, if you own the property and pledge it as collateral, the franchisor’s lease rider should not be layered on top of the lender’s lien.
- Purchase option: the franchisor will not enforce a purchase option on real estate owned by the franchisee or its affiliate. That protects the lender’s collateral position if you own the land and building.
These notes matter most if you plan to buy and build a freestanding restaurant. Share them with your lender and attorney early. For a structured look at the documents, see our post on how the FDD affects franchise financing, and use the SBA loan calculator to test payments against your projections.
How Lenders Evaluate a Birdcall Deal
Personal Credit and Financial History
Lenders review your credit history, existing debts and any past business obligations.
Net Worth and Liquidity
A three-unit commitment means lenders want to see cash for the first restaurant’s equity injection and reserves, plus a credible plan for the next units.
Restaurant and Management Experience
Multi-unit restaurant experience is a strong positive. If you are newer to food service, a general manager with fast-casual experience strengthens the file.
Business Plan and Projections
Build projections around your site’s traffic, drive-thru or walk-up access, digital ordering share, labor model and every Item 6 fee. Our post on a franchise business plan for an SBA loan covers what to include.
FDD and Development Agreement
Lenders read the franchise agreement, development schedule, default and cross-default terms, and whether the FDD includes Item 19 financial performance representations.
Site and Lease
Lease term, renewal options, rent escalations and any landlord or concession terms all affect the loan. For a resale, expect the restaurant’s historical financials to be reviewed in detail.
Kitchen and Technology Equipment
A chicken-focused kitchen depends on fryers, breading stations, holding cabinets and strong ventilation, and Birdcall adds ordering kiosks and kitchen display screens on top. Standard kitchen equipment with resale value is usually easier to finance than proprietary technology. Ask the franchisor which items must come from approved suppliers and which you may lease.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
The minimum commitment of three restaurants makes development financing the core of a Birdcall plan. Lenders usually finance one restaurant at a time, and each new loan depends on how the earlier units perform. Missing a development deadline can carry penalties, so align the schedule with realistic financing and construction timelines. Our post on multi-unit franchise financing walks through the approach.
Real-World Scenarios
The Experienced Operator
A franchisee who runs several quick-service restaurants signs for three Birdcall units. A lender reviews the existing portfolio’s cash flow and finances the first build-out with an SBA 7(a) loan.
The Land Buyer
A developer buys a pad site for a freestanding restaurant with a drive-thru. An SBA 504 loan covers the real estate, and the directory notes on the lease addendum and purchase option are addressed before closing.
The Career Changer
A former corporate executive partners with a seasoned restaurant manager. The lender weighs the manager’s experience and asks for a larger reserve given the newer brand.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing a development agreement before confirming financing for more than the first restaurant.
- Leaving technology and marketing fees out of the cash flow projections.
- Underfunding working capital for the ramp-up period.
- Ignoring the SBA directory notes when buying the real estate.
- Relying on old cost figures instead of the current Item 7.
See more pitfalls in our post on restaurant loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your Birdcall Franchise
Step 1: Request the current FDD. Review Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 12 and 19 with an attorney.
Step 2: Confirm franchisor requirements. Ask for current net worth, liquidity and development terms.
Step 3: Gather your financial documents. Prepare tax returns, a personal financial statement and proof of liquidity.
Step 4: Identify a site. Work with the franchisor on site criteria and a letter of intent.
Step 5: Build your plan and projections. Include every fee and a realistic ramp-up.
Step 6: Choose your loan structure. Compare SBA 7(a), SBA 504 and conventional options.
Step 7: Apply and close. Submit a complete package and coordinate with the franchisor’s opening timeline.
Birdcall Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Birdcall franchise cost?
The company’s July 2026 announcement said the initial investment starts at $762,000, including the franchise fee. Item 7 of the current FDD shows the full range.
What is the Birdcall franchise fee?
The franchisor’s announcements list a $50,000 franchise fee.
What royalty does Birdcall charge?
The royalty is not published on the franchise site. Item 6 of the FDD lists it along with marketing and technology fees.
Is Birdcall eligible for SBA loans?
Yes. It is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S8687, with notes on lease addendums and purchase options when real estate secures the loan.
Can I open just one Birdcall restaurant?
The franchisor’s site describes a minimum commitment of three restaurants, so plan financing for multiple units.
Can I finance equipment separately?
Often, yes. Kitchen equipment and some technology can be financed or leased apart from the main loan.
Does Birdcall offer financing?
Check Item 10 of the FDD, which discloses any financing the franchisor offers.
Can a first-time restaurant owner get a Birdcall franchise loan?
It is possible, but lenders will want strong liquidity and an experienced operator on the team.
What documents do I need?
Tax returns, a personal financial statement, a business plan with projections, a resume, the FDD and your site documents.
Can I buy an existing Birdcall?
Resales are rare because franchising is new, but any transfer requires franchisor approval and is financed on the unit’s actual results.
How long is the franchise term?
Item 17 of the FDD sets out the term, renewal and transfer conditions.
Final Thoughts
A Birdcall franchise loan plan should cover a development program, not a single store. Line up the FDD details, a realistic site budget and enough liquidity for at least the first unit and its reserves, then build a loan structure that can grow with your schedule.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners secure SBA, conventional and equipment financing. Explore our franchise financing solutions and our restaurant financing programs to see how we can support your Birdcall plans.
