FDD Analysis Report
The Budlong Hot Chicken
The Budlong Franchise Nevada LLC
Key Metrics At-a-Glance
See FDD
See FDD
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of gross sales
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of gross sales
See FDD
8 units
N/A
Not disclosed
About This Franchise
## Executive Summary
The Budlong Hot Chicken is an emerging quick-service franchise specializing in Nashville-style hot chicken, operating under Craveworthy Brands with leadership from Gregg Majewski, former CEO of Jimmy Johns. Established in Chicago in 2016 and franchising since 2023, the brand represents an early-stage opportunity in the trending hot chicken segment. With a total investment of $183,000 to $994,500 and significant financial requirements ($1M net worth, $500K liquid capital), this franchise targets well-capitalized operators seeking growth in a popular food category.
## The Numbers
**Investment Overview:** - Total Investment: $183,000 - $994,500 - Initial Franchise Fee: $45,000 - Royalty Fee: 6% of gross sales - Marketing Fee: 4% total (2.5% national, 1.5% local) - Area Development Fee: $10,000 per additional restaurant
**Financial Requirements:** - Minimum Net Worth: $1,000,000 - Liquid Capital: $500,000
**Multi-Unit Requirements:** - Area Developers must commit to minimum 3 restaurants - Development fee of $10,000 per restaurant beyond first
## The Business Model
The Budlong Hot Chicken operates quick-service restaurants featuring Nashville-style hot chicken, a category that has seen explosive growth nationally. The brand was founded to introduce Midwestern consumers to authentic Nashville hot chicken flavors.
Business model elements: - Quick-service restaurant format - Nashville hot chicken specialty - Multiple heat level options for broad appeal - Streamlined menu focused on core offerings - Part of Craveworthy Brands portfolio
## System Health
As of the most recent data, The Budlong Hot Chicken operates 5 company-owned restaurants with no franchise locations yet open. This represents a very early-stage franchise opportunity with inherent risks and potential rewards.
System considerations: - Pre-franchise stage with corporate-only locations - Backed by experienced franchisor (Craveworthy Brands) - Leadership from proven industry veteran (former Jimmy Johns CEO) - Hot chicken category continues trending upward - Ground-floor opportunity with associated risks
## Franchisee Experience
Franchisees will be among the first to operate The Budlong Hot Chicken franchise locations, offering the potential for territory selection and early-mover advantages. However, as an emerging franchise, operational systems and support structures are still being refined.
Key considerations: - Experienced franchisor leadership through Craveworthy Brands - Benefit from corporate location learnings - Opportunity to influence system development - Higher operational uncertainty than established brands - Strong industry connections through leadership team
## Key Considerations
**Strengths:** - Trending food category with strong consumer interest - Experienced franchisor leadership (former Jimmy Johns CEO) - Craveworthy Brands corporate backing - Lower end of investment range competitive for QSR - Ground-floor opportunity in growing segment
**Challenges:** - No existing franchised locations yet - High financial requirements ($1M net worth) - 4% total marketing fee is above industry average - Minimum 3-unit commitment for area developers - Limited track record as franchise system - Wide investment range indicates variable formats
**Ideal Candidate:** - Experienced multi-unit restaurant operator - Strong financial position ($1M+ net worth) - Comfort with early-stage franchise risk - Interest in Nashville hot chicken category - Ability to commit to multi-unit development
## Validation Questions
1. What is the timeline for opening the first franchised locations? 2. How have the 5 corporate locations performed financially? 3. What restaurant formats does the investment range represent? 4. How does Craveworthy Brands support its franchise concepts? 5. What territory is available for development? 6. What training program duration and content is provided? 7. How does the brand differentiate from other hot chicken concepts? 8. What are the real estate requirements and preferred site profiles? 9. How will the national marketing fund be utilized before franchisee scale? 10. What exit provisions exist if the franchise underperforms expectations?
Ongoing Fees
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Royalty | See FDD of Gross Revenue | - |
| Brand Fund | See FDD of Gross Revenue | - |
Item 19: Financial Performance Representations
No Financial Performance Representations
This franchisor does not provide Item 19 financial performance representations. Approximately 35% of franchisors choose to disclose this information.
Recommendation: Request financial information directly from existing franchisees listed in Exhibit I during your due diligence. Contact 10-15 franchisees to gather revenue and profitability data before making an investment decision.
Learn more about Item 19 disclosures →Risk Assessment
Items to Review
No notable items identified
Positive Indicators
Review FDD for positive factors
Due Diligence Recommendations
Contact 10-15 existing franchisees to gather operational and financial insights
Franchisee interviews are the most valuable source of information about day-to-day operations and realistic financial expectations.
Have a franchise attorney review the Franchise Agreement
Professional legal review can identify unfavorable terms and potential negotiation points.
Research local market conditions and competition
Understanding your specific market is essential for success, regardless of system-wide performance.
Download Complete FDD
Access the full Franchise Disclosure Document including all 23 items, exhibits, and financial statements.
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Learn More About FDDs
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The Ultimate Guide to FDDs
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Understanding Item 7: Initial Investment
How to evaluate franchise investment costs
FDD Item 5: Initial Fees Explained
What you pay upfront to become a franchisee
Item 20: Franchisee Information
Analyze system growth and contact franchisees
About The Budlong Hot Chicken Franchise
The Budlong Hot Chicken is a franchise that offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to own and operate their own business within an established system. As of the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, the system has grown to 8 locations across the United States. This analysis provides prospective franchisees with key insights from the FDD to support informed investment decisions.
The Budlong Hot Chicken Franchise Cost
The total initial investment required to open a The Budlong Hot Chicken franchise ranges from See FDD for details. This investment includes the initial franchise fee of See FDD for details, along with expenses for real estate, equipment, inventory, training, and working capital to sustain operations during the initial period. Ongoing fees include a royalty fee of See FDD of gross sales. Prospective franchisees should review Item 7 of the FDD for a complete breakdown of estimated initial investment costs.
The Budlong Hot Chicken Item 19 Financial Performance
The Budlong Hot Chicken does not provide financial performance representations in Item 19 of their FDD. Approximately 35% of franchisors choose to disclose this information. Without franchisor-provided financial data, prospective franchisees should contact existing franchisees directly to gather information about revenue, expenses, and profitability. The franchisee contact list in Exhibit I provides names and contact information for current and former franchise owners.
The Budlong Hot Chicken Franchise Growth and System Health
The The Budlong Hot Chicken franchise system has shown stable performance based on unit count data from Item 20 of the FDD. Prospective franchisees should examine the historical data on unit openings, closings, and transfers to understand the system's trajectory and identify any concerning trends.
The Budlong Hot Chicken Franchise Investment Considerations
The The Budlong Hot Chicken FDD contains important disclosures that prospective franchisees should carefully review before making an investment decision. Key factors to evaluate include the franchise fee structure, ongoing royalty requirements, territory rights, termination history, and franchisor support systems. Every franchise investment carries risk, and this analysis should be combined with professional legal and financial advice. Review the complete FDD and speak with current franchisees to gain a comprehensive understanding of the opportunity.
Due Diligence Recommendations for The Budlong Hot Chicken
Before investing in a The Budlong Hot Chicken franchise, prospective franchisees should:
- Contact multiple existing franchisees to gather operational and financial insights
- Have a franchise attorney review the Franchise Agreement and all exhibits
- Research local market conditions and competitive landscape
- Develop a detailed business plan with realistic financial projections
- Verify all information provided by the franchisor independently
Download the The Budlong Hot Chicken FDD
Access the complete The Budlong Hot Chicken Franchise Disclosure Document, including all 23 Items, exhibits, franchise agreement, and audited financial statements. FreeFDDs™ provides free access to FDDs to promote franchise transparency and help prospective franchisees make informed decisions. The FDD contains critical information that should be reviewed in its entirety before making any investment decision.
Disclaimer
This analysis report is provided for informational purposes only. The data presented has been extracted from the Franchise Disclosure Document and may contain errors or omissions.
Prospective franchisees should conduct their own due diligence, review the complete FDD document, and consult with qualified legal and financial advisors before making any investment decisions.