How Much Does a Zaxby’s Franchise Owner Make?
Zaxby’s franchise owners earn approximately $325,000–$407,000 annually per location based on a 2025 FDD average AUV of $2.71M and estimated operating margins of 12–15%. Zaxby’s is a Southeast chicken chain with Goldman Sachs-backed institutional support, strong same-store sales trajectory, and one of the highest AUVs in the chicken casual-dining segment. With 776 franchised restaurants in the 2025 FDD Item 19 cohort and a Goldman Sachs 2020 investment fueling expansion beyond the original 17-state footprint, Zaxby’s is positioned as one of the stronger regional-to-national chicken franchise growth stories.
Key Takeaways
- Zaxby’s franchise owners earn approximately $325,000–$407,000 annually based on FDD income data
- AUV of $2.71M
- Always validate income estimates with current FDD Item 19 data and franchisee contacts
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Zaxby’s Quick Stats
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average AUV | $2,710,374 (VettedBiz / FDD est.) |
| Item 19 Disclosure | Yes — avg, median, quartiles by revenue and P&L |
| Estimated Owner Income | $325K–$407K per store |
| Royalty Rate | 6% of net sales |
| Ad Fund | ~4% of net sales |
| Total Fee Burden | ~10% |
| Initial Investment | $1.44M–$3.81M |
| Franchise Fee | $35,000 |
| Net Worth Required | $1,000,000 |
| Liquid Capital Required | $500,000 |
| US Locations | ~950+ (17 states, expanding) |
| Ownership | Founders + Goldman Sachs (2020) |
| Avg Payback Period | 5–9 years |
How Much Does a Zaxby’s Franchise Owner Make Per Year?
Zaxby’s 2025 FDD Item 19 discloses revenue and P&L data for 776 franchised restaurants in 2024, including average AUV by quartile and detailed cost structure. VettedBiz estimates annual owner earnings of $325,245–$406,557. Applying the disclosed AUV and chicken casual-dining margins:
| AUV Tier | Est. Net Margin (12–15%) | Est. Owner Income |
|---|---|---|
| $1.9M (bottom quartile est.) | 10–12% | $190K–$228K |
| $2.6M (system avg ~2022) | 12–14% | $312K–$364K |
| $2.71M (FDD avg est.) | 12–15% | $325K–$407K |
| $3.2M+ (top quartile est.) | 13–16% | $416K–$512K |
Methodology: VettedBiz AUV estimate of $2,710,374; Franchise Chatter Item 19 cohort of 776 franchised restaurants for 2024. 12–15% net margin applied after ~10% royalty+ad, ~30% COGS (bone-in + tenders), ~28% labor, and ~9% occupancy. Drive-thru accounting for 60%+ of Zaxby’s sales improves per-transaction labor efficiency. Always consult the current FDD and validate with Zaxby’s franchisees directly.
How Much Does a Zaxby’s Franchise Owner Make Per Month?
At the estimated AUV of $2.71M and annual income of $325K–$407K, a Zaxby’s franchise owner earns approximately $27,100–$33,900 per month before taxes and debt service. Top-quartile operators at $3.2M+ AUV can reach $35,000–$45,000 monthly.
What Factors Affect Zaxby’s Franchise Owner Income?
- $2.6M→ current AUV growth: Zaxby’s AUV grew from $2.5M (2021) to $2.6M (2022) to $2.71M (current est.) — a consistent 3–5% annual AUV growth trajectory
- Drive-thru dominance: 60%+ of sales via drive-thru creates high throughput with lower per-transaction labor cost vs. dine-in operations
- Southern market concentration: 17-state footprint in the Southeast means strong brand recognition in existing markets — new-market expansion into Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Texas creates lower initial AUV until brand builds awareness
- Goldman Sachs institutional support: 2020 investment brought operational sophistication, technology investment, and marketing infrastructure — AUV grew $100K+ in 2022 alone post-investment
- High investment range: $1.44M–$3.81M is among the higher entry points in chicken QSR — creates 5–9 year payback timelines that require strong execution and multi-unit scale to optimize
How Does Zaxby’s Compare to Similar Chicken Franchises?
| Brand | AUV | Total Fees | Investment | Est. Owner Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zaxby’s | $2.71M | ~10% | $1.44M–$3.81M | $325K–$407K |
| Wingstop | $2.13M | 11.5% | $298K–$1.01M | $240K–$320K |
| Popeyes | $1.9M | 10.5% | $505K–$3.9M | $200K–$285K |
| KFC | ~$1.3M | 10% | $303K–$3.0M | $95K–$160K |
Zaxby’s $2.71M AUV leads the chicken segment among franchisable brands outside of Chick-fil-A. The ~10% fee burden is comparable to Popeyes but Zaxby’s delivers 40%+ more AUV. For full FDD cost and disclosure data on Zaxby’s, visit FranchisePayback.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zaxby’s Franchise Owner Income
What is a Zaxby’s franchise owner’s average income?
Based on Zaxby’s 2025 FDD data and an estimated AUV of $2.71M, a Zaxby’s franchise owner earns approximately $325,000–$407,000 annually per location. VettedBiz independently estimates $325,245–$406,557. This makes Zaxby’s one of the higher-income chicken franchise opportunities in the market.
Is Zaxby’s available outside the Southeast?
Yes — Zaxby’s is actively expanding beyond its original 17-state Southern footprint. Goldman Sachs’s 2020 investment specifically funded national expansion. New markets including the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Texas are development targets. Brand awareness may take 12–18 months to build in new-market entries, which typically means lower AUV in years 1–2.
What is the payback period for a Zaxby’s franchise?
At $1.44M–$3.81M investment and $325K–$407K in estimated annual owner income, the payback period for a Zaxby’s franchise is approximately 5–9 years depending on entry format and location performance.
Where can I find Zaxby’s FDD and full cost data?
Full FDD data, investment breakdowns, and disclosure details for Zaxby’s are available at FranchisePayback.com.
Bottom Line: Is a Zaxby’s Franchise Worth It?
Zaxby’s is one of the strongest regional chicken franchise opportunities in the US — $2.71M AUV that leads the franchisable chicken segment, Goldman Sachs backing, consistent AUV growth, and genuine brand differentiation through the Zax Sauce and casual-dining positioning. The $1.44M–$3.81M investment range and 5–9 year payback are the constraints. For operators in the Southeast with existing market knowledge, Zaxby’s is a compelling high-AUV opportunity. For new-market operators, expect a brand awareness ramp that temporarily suppresses AUV below system average.
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— SharpSheets Editorial Team | sharpsheets.io | Last Updated: July 2026