Franchise fee
R180K
Total investment
R4M–R6.8M
Ongoing fees (6%+6%)
12%
Profitable units
268+
Interested in a Chicken Licken franchise? You’re researching the right brand. Chicken Licken — legally registered as Golden Fried Chicken (Pty) Ltd — is the largest non-American-owned fried chicken franchise in the world, with 268+ profitable units operating across South Africa and Botswana.
The brand is FASA accredited (Franchising Association of South Africa) and has been franchising since 1982 — making it one of South Africa’s longest-running and most proven franchise systems. The total investment to open a Chicken Licken franchise is between R4 million and R6.8 million, with a franchise fee of R180,000.
This page covers everything you need to know before contacting the franchise team — costs, requirements, the application process, and the official head office contact details. For the official franchise enquiry page, visit chickenlicken.co.za/franchising →
Checkout complete chicken licken menu and prices.
All figures confirmed from BusinessTech, sami.co.za, topfranchise.com, and bestfastfoodfranchise.com (2026). Exact costs depend on store size, type (dine-in vs Fly Thru®), and location. Always confirm current figures directly with the Chicken Licken franchising team.
R180,000
Upfront franchise fee paid to Golden Fried Chicken (Pty) Ltd on signing the franchise agreement. This is a one-time payment that grants you the right to operate under the Chicken Licken brand and trademark. Confirmed: BusinessTech + sami.co.za.
R4M – R5M
For a standard dine-in Chicken Licken restaurant. Includes leasehold improvements, equipment, inventory, signage, training, and working capital. Location, size, and mall vs standalone will affect the final figure.
R6M – R6.8M
A Fly Thru® (drive-through) location requires approximately R3 million more than a standard store due to the drive-through infrastructure, larger site, and additional equipment. Confirmed: sami.co.za.
6%
6% of monthly net sales paid to Golden Fried Chicken (Pty) Ltd as an ongoing royalty. This covers brand use, operational support, supply chain management, and menu development access.
6%
6% of monthly net sales paid as an advertising royalty — covering national marketing, Loeries-winning campaigns, social media, and seasonal promotions. Total ongoing monthly commitment: 12% of net sales.
R8M – R12M
Successful Chicken Licken franchisees can expect annual revenues of R8M–R12M depending on location, foot traffic, and management quality. Confirmed from bestfastfoodfranchise.com (2026). Actual results vary.
| Cost item | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise fee | R180,000 | One-time upfront |
| Total investment — standard store | R4,000,000 – R5,000,000 | One-time setup |
| Total investment — Fly Thru® (drive-through) | R6,000,000 – R6,800,000 | One-time setup |
| Ongoing royalty fee | 6% of monthly net sales | Monthly recurring |
| Advertising / marketing fee | 6% of monthly net sales | Monthly recurring |
| Total monthly ongoing commitment | 12% of monthly net sales | Monthly recurring |
| Annual revenue potential (est.) | R8,000,000 – R12,000,000 | Estimated annual |
Chicken Licken’s official franchisee criteria confirmed from sami.co.za (sourcing from official Chicken Licken franchise documentation).
You must have a minimum of R4 million in available capital (liquid cash or confirmed financing). Net worth and liquid cash requirements can be submitted to the Chicken Licken Head Office for assessment. Financial stability is the primary qualifying criterion.
Chicken Licken looks for franchisees with demonstrated business experience — ideally in retail, food service, or management. You should be comfortable with financial reporting, staff management, and operational oversight of a fast-moving food service business.
Chicken Licken requires franchisees to live close to their proposed store location. This ensures you are actively involved in the day-to-day running of the business rather than managing remotely — a key factor in franchise performance.
You must be "fully involved in the running of the business" — Chicken Licken's franchise model is owner-operated, not passive investment. This is a hands-on franchise requiring your active daily presence and management commitment.
Important: These requirements are based on publicly available Chicken Licken franchise documentation. For current net worth thresholds and specific financial requirements, contact the Chicken Licken Franchising Department directly at the head office details below.
1
Before applying, assess your financial position (minimum R4M available capital), evaluate your business experience, and identify a proposed site location. Research the Chicken Licken franchise model at chickenlicken.co.za/franchising.
2
Apply via the official Chicken Licken franchising page or contact the Franchising Department at the head office (details below). You will receive a confirmation email with the franchise owner's contact details upon receipt of your application.
3
Chicken Licken will conduct financial and background checks on your application. This includes verifying your available capital, net worth, and business history. The timeline for this process is not publicly specified — contact the franchise team for current timelines.
4
Upon approval, you will be guided through store design, equipment procurement, staff training, and the launch promotion process. Chicken Licken provides comprehensive support covering operations, marketing, supply chain management, and menu development from day of opening.
All contact details confirmed from yellosa.co.za (updated January 2025) and official Chicken Licken sources. Always verify current details at chickenlicken.co.za before visiting or calling.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Legal entity name | Golden Fried Chicken (Pty) Ltd |
| Trading name | Chicken Licken |
| Head office address | Booysens, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa · P.O. Box 38628, Booysens, 2016 |
| Head office phone | +27 11 493 3703 |
| Franchising contact | Franchising Department — Frank Kriesoldt (confirmed from yellosa.co.za, 2025) |
| Official franchising page | chickenlicken.co.za/franchising |
| Official website | chickenlicken.co.za |
| FASA accredited | Yes — Franchising Association of South Africa · fasa.co.za |
| CEO | Chantal Sombonos-Van Tonder (daughter of founder George Sombonos) |
Chicken Licken operates under the legal entity Golden Fried Chicken (Pty) Ltd, a South African private company registered in Gauteng. The trading name “Chicken Licken” was registered by founder George Sombonos in 1981 — the name was suggested by a waiter who brought Sombonos the Henny Penny nursery fable book, for which Sombonos paid R300 as a thank-you.
The Chicken Licken logo was designed by a graphic artist for R75. For R375 total, Sombonos had a brand name and logo that would become South Africa’s most successful home-grown fast food chain. Golden Fried Chicken (Pty) Ltd is headquartered in Booysens, Johannesburg and is privately owned — it is not listed on the JSE. The company has never been acquired by a foreign entity, making it one of the few remaining major South African fast food brands still under local family ownership.