How to Finance a Chicken Guy! Franchise: SBA and Lease Rules
By Chris Cornella
A Chicken Guy! franchise loan funds a fast-casual chicken restaurant built around fried tenders, sandwiches and a wall of signature sauces. Most owners lease their space and finance the build-out, kitchen equipment, opening costs and working capital, while a smaller group buys or develops the real estate. The brand also carries a specific SBA Franchise Directory note about leases and real estate collateral that every borrower should understand before structuring a loan.
Below we cover what the franchisor publishes, the costs to document, ongoing fees and how SBA and conventional financing may fit. US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Chicken Guy!; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs vary, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice.
Chicken Guy! Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: fast-casual restaurants serving pounded, brined chicken tenders with fresh herbs, sandwiches and a lineup of signature sauces.
- Founders: celebrity chef Guy Fieri and restaurateur Robert Earl, according to the franchisor.
- Franchisor: the brand’s site is operated by Chicken Guy!, LLC; confirm the franchisor entity named in the current FDD.
- Ideal candidates: experienced restaurant operators, multi-unit franchise owners and business leaders, per the franchise page.
- Requirements: restaurant experience and financial qualifications; specific net worth and liquidity figures are not published on the franchise page.
- Fees and investment: we could not verify the franchise fee, royalty, ad fund or Item 7 range, so rely on Items 5 through 7 of the current FDD.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as “Chicken Guy!” (code S5806), with a note about the lease addendum when real estate secures the loan.
What Is Chicken Guy!?
Chicken Guy! is a fast-casual chicken concept founded by Guy Fieri and restaurateur Robert Earl. The menu centers on chicken tenders that are pounded, brined and finished with fresh herbs, served with sandwiches, sides and shakes and a long list of house sauces. The franchise page features its flagship Florida restaurant, a bold red and yellow building.
The franchisor describes four advantages for owners: streamlined operations, high-volume capacity, national brand recognition tied to its founders and room for multi-unit growth. It says the brand is expanding across the U.S. and internationally, with availability depending on market demand and location opportunities.
Why lenders look at the brand carefully. A celebrity-backed name can draw traffic, but lenders still underwrite the operator, the site and the cash flow. Chicken Guy! is a younger franchise system, so a lender may ask more about franchisor support, unit-level history and how many franchised restaurants are open and how long they have operated. See financing an emerging franchise brand.
Chicken Guy! Franchise Costs
We could not access a current Chicken Guy! disclosure document, so the figures below are categories, not amounts. Request the current FDD and build your budget from Items 5, 6 and 7, backed by contractor bids and equipment quotes for your site.
Initial franchise fee
Item 5 states the initial fee, when it is due, whether any part is refundable and whether development fees apply when you commit to several restaurants. SBA lenders can generally include the franchise fee in the project budget.
Real estate and build-out
Most fast-casual restaurants open in leased in-line, end-cap or pad sites. Build-out covers kitchen hood and fire suppression, grease management, plumbing, electrical, walk-in coolers, a service counter, dining room finishes and the brand’s decor and signage. A freestanding building with a drive-thru, if the franchisor offers one in your market, raises both the budget and the importance of the site. Our article on restaurant build-out financing covers how construction costs are budgeted and drawn.
Kitchen equipment
A tender-focused menu depends on fryers, breading stations, refrigeration, holding equipment, sauce stations, shake equipment, a point-of-sale and online ordering setup, and digital menu boards. Ask which items must come from approved suppliers, and whether remodels are required at renewal or transfer.
Opening costs and working capital
Plan for training and travel, opening inventory, pre-opening payroll, grand opening marketing, insurance, deposits, licenses and permits. Item 7’s “additional funds” line covers an initial operating period; treat it as a floor.
Total investment line items
When you review Item 7, expect line items such as:
- Initial franchise fee
- Real estate, rent and security deposits
- Leasehold improvements or construction
- Kitchen equipment, furniture and fixtures
- Signage and decor
- Technology, point-of-sale and online ordering systems
- Opening inventory, training, licenses and insurance
- Grand opening marketing
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
If your site-specific build-out runs above the top of the range, lenders will ask why.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 lists the royalty, any brand or advertising fund contribution, local marketing requirements, technology fees, and transfer and renewal fees. We could not verify current Chicken Guy! rates, so read Item 6 in full.
Lenders size debt on cash flow after operating costs, and fees calculated on gross sales come off the top. In a chicken restaurant, the other large costs are food (chicken prices can move quickly), labor, rent and third-party delivery commissions. A projection that understates any of these overstates the loan the restaurant can carry, so build in sensitivity for higher chicken costs.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The franchise page says candidates should have restaurant experience and meet financial qualifications, and it names experienced restaurant operators, multi-unit franchise owners and business leaders as its target groups. It does not publish minimum net worth or liquid capital figures, so ask the franchise development team for the current thresholds.
The process starts with an inquiry form, followed by conversations with the development team, a review of the FDD and approval of your finances and site. Lenders run their own review in parallel, and brand approval and loan approval often depend on each other.
Ways to Own a Chicken Guy!
Opening a new restaurant. Most growth in a younger system comes from new units. Lenders underwrite projections rather than history, so your experience, site and liquidity carry most of the weight. See our page on franchise start-up financing.
Buying an existing restaurant. If a franchised unit comes up for sale, its sales history, staff and equipment make underwriting easier. The franchisor must approve the transfer and the landlord the lease assignment. Our page on franchise restaurant acquisition financing explains how purchases are structured.
Multi-unit development. The franchisor’s focus on multi-unit owners means many deals start with a commitment to several restaurants, which changes how financing is staged.
Financing Options for a Chicken Guy! Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. For many owners, a Chicken Guy! franchise loan starts with an SBA 7(a) loan, which can combine the franchise fee, build-out, equipment, opening costs and working capital, or fund the purchase of an existing restaurant. The 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, and program rules can change.
SBA 504 loans. When an owner buys land or a building, SBA 504 loans may finance the real estate and long-lived equipment. Review the directory note below first, because it affects how the lease and real estate are papered.
Conventional term loans. Multi-unit operators with strong balance sheets may use conventional business loans, often for second and later units.
Equipment financing. Fryers, refrigeration, holding cabinets and point-of-sale hardware can be financed separately through restaurant equipment financing and leasing, with that payment counted in your total debt.
Working capital and lines of credit. A line of credit can cover pre-opening payroll, inventory swings and ramp-up. See restaurant working capital.
Seller financing on resales. On a resale, a seller may carry part of the price. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the primary loan, and SBA rules may limit them.
SBA Loans for Chicken Guy! Franchisees
An SBA-backed Chicken Guy! franchise loan is made by a participating lender with an SBA guarantee on part of the loan. For franchises, lenders also confirm that the franchise agreement leaves the borrower in control of its own business, and the SBA Franchise Directory streamlines that review.
The directory listing. Chicken Guy! appears as “Chicken Guy!” under code S5806. A listing can simplify the lender’s review, but it does not approve any borrower or guarantee a loan.
What the directory note means. The listing carries this note: “When the real estate where the franchise business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the franchisee may not execute the Addendum to Lease.” Many franchisors require a lease addendum that gives them rights in the restaurant’s lease, such as the right to take over the space if the franchise ends. In plain English, if the land or building where the restaurant operates will be pledged as collateral for the SBA loan, the franchisee should not sign that lease addendum, because those franchisor rights could conflict with the lender’s claim on the real estate. This most often comes up when an owner, or a related entity, buys the property and leases it to the restaurant company. If you plan to own the real estate, tell your lender and franchise attorney early so the documents are structured correctly.
Application tips. Have the FDD, franchise or development agreement, lease or purchase contract, bids, equipment quotes, a sources and uses statement, personal financial statements, tax returns and résumés ready. Our SBA loan calculator gives early payment estimates for planning only.
How Lenders Evaluate a Chicken Guy! Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review each principal’s credit, tax returns and debts, and significant owners typically sign personal guarantees.
Net worth and liquidity. Expect questions about your cash injection and post-closing reserves, especially for a new unit in a younger system.
Restaurant experience. The franchisor asks for restaurant experience, and lenders weigh it heavily. Multi-unit operating history is a strong asset.
Business plan and projections. Show the trade area, daytime and evening traffic, competition from other chicken brands, delivery and catering assumptions, labor, food costs and every franchise fee.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the term, renewal, transfer and remodel provisions, and they want the franchise term and lease to run at least as long as the loan.
Site, lease or real estate. The lease term, options, rent escalations and landlord consents matter, and the SBA note above applies if real estate secures the loan.
Historical financials on resales. Expect a review of tax returns, sales reports and equipment condition.
Kitchen Equipment and Fryer Planning
Fryers and refrigeration are the heart of a tender kitchen and the most likely sources of unplanned capital spending. Ask the franchisor for the approved equipment package and expected replacement cycles, keep a maintenance contract in place and hold a reserve for repairs.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Because the franchisor targets multi-unit owners, many buyers sign a development commitment for several restaurants on a schedule. Each restaurant typically still needs its own site approval, lease and financing. Lenders usually fund one unit at a time, looking at the performance of open units, global cash flow and remaining liquidity before the next. SBA limits apply across all of a borrower’s SBA loans, so larger groups often add conventional financing. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains how operators stage growth.
Real-World Scenarios
An experienced operator adding a new brand. A franchisee who runs several burger restaurants signs to open Chicken Guy! units in her region. She finances the first with an SBA 7(a) loan and plans conventional financing for later units.
An owner buying the building. A developer’s related company buys a pad site and leases it to his restaurant company. Because the real estate secures the SBA loan, his attorney confirms he does not sign the franchisor’s lease addendum, consistent with the directory note.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing a lease addendum when the real estate will secure an SBA loan
- Committing to a development schedule without financing for each unit
- Projecting food costs without a cushion for higher chicken prices
- Leaving out royalty, ad fund and delivery commissions in cash flow estimates
- Opening with too little working capital for the ramp-up period
For more, read the restaurant loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your Chicken Guy! Franchise
Step 1: Submit an inquiry and get the FDD. Review fees, Item 7, Item 20 outlet tables and the franchise agreement with a franchise attorney.
Step 2: Talk to current franchisees. Ask about build-out costs, ramp-up and support.
Step 3: Decide on real estate. Leasing or owning changes the loan structure and how the SBA note applies.
Step 4: Build a detailed budget. Include every Item 7 category, your bids and a contingency.
Step 5: Speak with a financing specialist. Confirm the loan structure and cash injection before signing a lease or development agreement.
Step 6: Assemble documents and close. Gather your financial and site documents, and keep reserves for opening.
Chicken Guy! Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Chicken Guy! franchise cost?
We could not verify a current Item 7 range. Costs depend on site type, size, construction costs and equipment, so use the current FDD and your own bids.
What is the Chicken Guy! franchise fee?
Item 5 of the current FDD states the initial fee and any development fees for multiple restaurants.
What royalty and marketing fees apply?
Item 6 lists the royalty, brand fund and other recurring fees. Lenders deduct them before sizing the loan.
How much liquid capital or net worth do I need?
The franchise page requires financial qualifications but does not publish figures. Ask the development team, and expect lenders to require a cash injection and reserves.
Is Chicken Guy! eligible for SBA loans?
It is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S5806. Eligibility still depends on the borrower, program rules and lender approval, and the lease addendum note applies when real estate secures the loan.
Do I need restaurant experience?
Yes. The franchisor says candidates should have restaurant experience, and lenders weigh it heavily.
Can I buy an existing Chicken Guy!?
If a franchised unit is for sale, yes, with franchisor and landlord approval. Its sales history can make underwriting easier.
Does the franchisor offer financing?
Item 10 of the FDD describes any financing offered; otherwise owners arrange their own loans.
How long is the franchise agreement?
The term, renewal and transfer rules appear in Item 17 and the franchise agreement. Lenders want the term to cover the life of the loan.
Final Thoughts
A Chicken Guy! franchise loan pairs a high-profile brand with the same fundamentals lenders always want: an experienced operator, a strong site, a realistic budget and enough liquidity. Owners who read the FDD closely, plan around the SBA lease note and stage multi-unit growth carefully put themselves in the best position to get approved.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners finance new restaurants, acquisitions, equipment and expansion. Learn more about our franchise financing solutions and restaurant business loans.
