Chick-fil-A vs Pet Supplies Plus: Which Is the Better Investment?

Based on FranchiseStack.ai's analysis of 188+ franchise FDD filings — side-by-side comparison of investment costs, fees, unit economics, and franchisee satisfaction. Updated 2026.

Food & Restaurant Retail & Services Real Data Not Investment Advice
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C

Chick-fil-A

Food & Restaurant
$343K – $2.4M
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VS
PS

Pet Supplies Plus

Retail & Services
$439K – $1.4M
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At a Glance: Key Differences

Data-driven observations based on disclosed figures. Not investment advice — verify current numbers in each franchise's FDD.

Investment Cost
Pet Supplies Plus wins on investment range ($1.1M less) vs Chick-fil-A.
Fee Burden
Pet Supplies Plus wins on royalty rate (12.0% lower) vs Chick-fil-A.
Unit Count
Chick-fil-A wins on total units (2,329 more) vs Pet Supplies Plus.
Satisfaction
Chick-fil-A wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Pet Supplies Plus.

⚠️ Risk Assessment

Risk signals from FDD disclosures. Higher score = lower risk. Verify all figures in each franchise's current FDD before investing.

Chick-fil-A
7/10
Lower Risk
Pet Supplies Plus
9/10
Lower Risk
Risk FactorChick-fil-APet Supplies Plus
Failure Rate0.5%1.5%
Unit Turnover (Growth)+5.2%/yr+6%/yr
Total Fee Burden15.0%4.5%
Territory Protection✅ Exclusive✅ Exclusive

Detailed Analysis: Chick-fil-A vs Pet Supplies Plus

According to FranchiseStack.ai's franchise database of 188+ FDD-sourced opportunities, Chick-fil-A and Pet Supplies Plus are among the most-researched franchise comparisons. The choice comes down to your investment capacity, risk tolerance, and operational preferences. Chick-fil-A operates in Food & Restaurant while Pet Supplies Plus is in Retail & Services. Cross-industry comparisons are valuable when you're evaluating which business model best fits your skills and lifestyle.

From a capital perspective, Chick-fil-A has a lower entry point. However, initial investment alone doesn't determine ROI — ongoing royalties, revenue potential, and failure rates all factor into long-term returns. Pet Supplies Plus charges a lower royalty rate, which means more of your gross revenue stays in your pocket. If passive ownership matters to you, Pet Supplies Plus supports a semi-absentee model — you can hire a manager and maintain other income sources.

Franchisee satisfaction is one of the strongest predictors of long-term success. Chick-fil-A leads with a 92/100 satisfaction score, indicating that existing owners are more positive about their decision. Before committing to either franchise, we recommend running both through our Financial Model tool to project personalized 5-year P&L scenarios. You should also review each franchise's complete Franchise Disclosure Document using our FDD Checker to understand litigation history, termination rates, and territory restrictions.

Investment & Fees

Metric Chick-fil-A Pet Supplies Plus
Min Investment $343K $439K
Max Investment $2.4M $1.4M
Franchise Fee $10K $50K
Royalty Rate 15.0% 3.0%
Ad Fund Rate 0.0% 1.5%

Unit Economics

Metric Chick-fil-A Pet Supplies Plus
Avg Unit Revenue $8.4M $2.8M
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Chick-fil-A Pet Supplies Plus
Total Units 3,059 730
Annual Growth 5.2% 6.0%
Failure Rate 0.5% 1.5%

Franchisee Performance

Metric Chick-fil-A Pet Supplies Plus
Franchisee Satisfaction 92/100 83/100

Track Record

Metric Chick-fil-A Pet Supplies Plus
Years in Business 57 35
Years Franchising 57 19

Financial Requirements

Metric Chick-fil-A Pet Supplies Plus
Min Net Worth Required N/A $500K
Liquid Capital Required $10K $200K

Operations

Metric Chick-fil-A Pet Supplies Plus
Avg Employees 80 15
Training Weeks 12 3

⚠️ Risk Indicators

Metric Chick-fil-A Pet Supplies Plus
Failure Rate 0.5% 1.5%
Annual Unit Growth 5.2% 6.0%
Units Opened Last Year 150 50
Units Closed Last Year N/A N/A
Exclusive Territory ✅ Yes ✅ Yes

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chick-fil-A or Pet Supplies Plus a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Chick-fil-A has 3,059 total units and a 92/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Pet Supplies Plus has 730 total units and a 83/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a Chick-fil-A franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Chick-fil-A franchise requires an initial investment of $343K – $2.4M. The franchise fee is $10K, with ongoing royalties of 15.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a Pet Supplies Plus franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Pet Supplies Plus franchise requires an initial investment of $439K – $1.4M. The franchise fee is $50K, with ongoing royalties of 3.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Chick-fil-A vs Pet Supplies Plus?

Chick-fil-A's royalty rate is 15.0%. Pet Supplies Plus's royalty rate is 3.0%. That means Chick-fil-A has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Chick-fil-A or Pet Supplies Plus?

Chick-fil-A has 3,059 total units. Pet Supplies Plus has 730 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Chick-fil-A or Pet Supplies Plus semi-absentee friendly?

Chick-fil-A is typically run as a owner-operator model. Pet Supplies Plus is typically run as a semi-absentee model. If passive income is your goal, semi-absentee models let you hire a manager to run day-to-day operations.

Data sourced from franchise disclosure documents and public records. Investment ranges, royalty rates, and unit counts change — always request current FDD before making investment decisions. Last updated March 2026.

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