Chester’s Chicken has once again earned recognition in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, reinforcing its position as a strong and established franchise brand in the quick-service restaurant space. Founded in 1952, Chester’s is known for its fresh, never-frozen, marinated chicken that is double-breaded and fried using a proprietary family recipe. Today, the brand operates primarily inside convenience stores, truck stops, and supermarkets across the country.
What began as a doughnut business more than 70 years ago has evolved into a nationally recognized fried chicken brand with a simple, high-performing menu of bone-in chicken, tenders, biscuits, and classic comfort sides. Chester’s expanded into franchising in 2004 and has since built a model focused on operational efficiency, strong unit economics, and a team-driven culture centered on accountability, transparency, and shared success.
The Franchise 500 ranking evaluates brands across more than 150 data points, including costs, growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and long-term financial stability. Chester’s continued placement on the list reflects its ability to adapt, innovate, and maintain relevance in a competitive foodservice landscape while providing franchisees with training, operational support, and multiple flexible location formats.
