Franchising

Chick N Max launches franchising opportunity

Provided

March 29, 2021

Chick N Max, a three-unit chain based in Wichita specializing in almond wood-smoked chicken and wings, sandwiches and fried tenders, is launching a franchise opportunity in hopes of expanding across the Central and Southeastern United States, according to a company press release.

The chain will double its footprint by the end of next year and open as many as five restaurants each year thereafter via multi-unit franchising targeting select markets throughout Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and the Southeast U.S. founder Max Sheets said in the release.

"Within the restaurant industry, chicken is a long-standing and perennial favorite for customers and investors alike. That's because these days, consumer tastes continue to shift towards fresher and healthier alternatives to take the place of a burger," he said. "Anchored by our innovative take on chicken, and an executive team that boasts more than 150 years of combined restaurant experience, we're perfectly positioned to differentiate ourselves in the thriving segment and look to the future with great enthusiasm."

No stranger to the restaurant industry, Sheets got his start as a teenager scraping cheese off pans in a Pizza Hut kitchen. In the early 2000s — after having already spent 23 years in real estate and development for Lone Star Steakhouse and Salon, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Smashburger and Ted's Montana Grill — he began mulling over the idea of a franchise concept that would accommodate the movement toward read meat alternatives. He conceptualized Chick N Max in 2017, assembled a team of culinary professionals to perfect the menu, and opened his first restaurant in January 2018.

Rounding out the Chick N Max experience is Radio Max, a specially curated music playlist of feel-good classic rock and blues songs hosted by Sheets himself and long-time Wichita radio personality, Cathy Carrier. Radio Max also gives Chick N Max a platform for messaging their menu specials and catering, as well as their community support initiatives.

"Our philosophy on food and community-focused business practices that has caught the attention of our existing customers is sure to do the same with future franchisees alike," Chick N Max COO Bob Peterson said in the release. "The future looks bright for Chick N Max and we have barely scratched the surface of our potential."

Including a franchise fee of $35,000, the total investment to open a 1,800-2,400-square-foot Chick N Max restaurant ranges from $450,000 to $550,000. Each restaurant typically seats about 60-80 people and employs approximately 15-20 people.