Chick-fil-A franchise operators pay just $10,000 to open a new restaurant in the US. About 60,000 people apply for a franchise each year, and less than 1% of them are eventually chosen. Chick-fil-A offers informational sessions around the country where people can learn more and get questions answered. Then, candidates are vetted with over a dozen interviews. The company evaluates personal character. Chick-fil-A famously tries to hire operators who represent the core values of the company.