Lee’s Famous Chicken Franchise FDD, Profits & Costs (2025)
Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken was founded in 1966 by Lee Cummings, the nephew of Colonel Harland Sanders of KFC fame.
The first restaurant opened in Lima, Ohio, and the brand has since grown into a well-known name in the fried chicken industry. Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken is headquartered in Shalimar, Florida.
The company began franchising in the same year it was founded, quickly expanding its footprint across the United States.
The franchise is known for its honey-dipped, hand-breaded fried chicken that is cooked fresh and never frozen.
Lee’s menu features a variety of chicken dishes, including their signature Famous Recipe chicken, as well as sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and biscuits. What sets Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken apart from the competition is its commitment to quality and tradition.
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Initial Investment
How much does it cost to start a Lee’s Famous Chicken franchise? It costs on average between $500,000 – $2,049,000 to start a Lee’s Famous Chicken franchised restaurant.
This includes costs for construction, equipment, inventory, and initial operating expenses. The exact amount depends on various factors, including the type of restaurant you choose, the location, and whether the franchisee chooses to lease or purchase the property. Indeed, Lee’s Famous Chicken offers 4 types of franchises:
| Type of Expenditure | Traditional Stand-Alone (New Structure) | Traditional Stand-Alone (Reimage Existing Structure) | Streamlined Location | Nontraditional Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $35,000 | $35,000 | $35,000 | $30,000 |
| Training Fee | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Training Expenses | $15,000 to $22,000 | $15,000 to $22,000 | $15,000 to $22,000 | $15,000 to $22,000 |
| Grand Opening Advertising | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Building and Improvements | $800,000 to $1,400,000 | $200,000 to $560,000 | $180,000 to $500,000 | $150,000 to $312,500 |
| Equipment, Furniture, and Signage | $296,100 to $389,900 | $296,100 to $389,900 | $248,000 to $389,900 | $228,700 to $301,800 |
| POS System | $35,000 to $40,000 | $35,000 to $40,000 | $35,000 to $40,000 | $35,000 to $40,000 |
| Opening Inventory | $12,000 to $32,000 | $12,000 to $32,000 | $12,000 to $32,000 | $6,000 to $12,000 |
| Utility Deposits, Permits, Business Licenses, and Miscellaneous Opening Costs | $7,500 to $50,000 | $7,500 to $22,500 | $7,500 to $22,500 | $7,500 to $22,500 |
| Insurance | $10,000 to $20,000 | $10,000 to $20,000 | $10,000 to $20,000 | $10,000 to $20,000 |
| Additional Funds – 3 Months | $15,000 to $50,000 | $15,000 to $50,000 | $15,000 to $50,000 | $15,000 to $55,000 |
| TOTAL | $1,228,100 to $2,049,400 | $628,100 to $1,181,900 | $560,000 to $1,121,900 | $499,700 to $821,300 |
Average Revenue (AUV)
How much revenue can you make with a Lee’s Famous Chicken franchise? A Lee’s Famous Chicken franchised restaurant makes on average $1,705,000 in revenue (AUV) per year.
Here is the extract from the Franchise Disclosure Document:
This compares to $1,705,000 yearly revenue for similar chicken franchises. Below are 10 Lee’s Famous Chicken competitors as a comparison:
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Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken Franchise Disclosure Document
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Lee’s Famous Chicken locations are there?
As of the latest data, Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken operates a total of 131 locations. This includes 16 company-owned units, with the remaining 115 locations owned and operated by franchisees.
What is the total investment required to open a Lee’s Famous Chicken franchise?
The total investment required to open a Lee’s Famous Chicken franchise ranges from $500,000 to $2,049,000.
What are the ongoing fees for a Lee’s Famous Chicken franchise?
Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken franchisees pay a 4% royalty on gross sales (6% for non-traditional locations) and contribute 2% to the cooperative advertising fund. Additionally, franchisees allocate a minimum of 3% of gross sales to local advertising.
What are the financial requirements to become a Lee’s Famous Chicken franchisee?
To become a Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken franchisee, you must have a minimum of $350,000 in liquid assets. This requirement can be met through any combination of cash, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, retirement accounts, or other non-borrowed sources.
While the franchise does not specify a minimum net worth, having substantial financial resources beyond the liquid asset requirement is advantageous for securing financing and managing operational expenses.
How much can a Lee’s Famous Chicken franchise owner expect to earn?
The average gross sales for a Lee’s Famous Chicken franchise are approximately $1.71 million per location. Assuming a 15% operating profit margin, $1.71 million yearly revenue can result in $256,500 EBITDA annually.
Who owns Lee’s Famous Chicken?
Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken is owned by LFR Chicken, LLC, a subsidiary of Artemis Lane Partners. In June 2021, Famous Recipe Group, LLC, sold the brand to LFR Chicken, LLC, to facilitate expansion across multiple states. Ryan Weaver, a partner at Artemis Lane Partners, serves as the CEO of Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken.
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