​Franchise​

The Only Thing Better Than Enjoying A Piece
Of Lee’s Chicken Is Owning A Piece.

Want to see how good it is to be famous? For the first time, Lee's Famous Recipe® Chicken is offering select single and multi-unit restaurant operators the opportunity to become a part of one of the most historic chicken franchises in the nation.

We're looking for financially qualified entrepreneurs who have a passion to open their own business – especially those who have experience in the QSR industry and are prepared to open single or multiple locations.

Famous Since 1966

  • 1966:

    America’s First Taste of Fame

    Lee Cummings and Harold Omer open “Harold’s Take Home” restaurant in Lima, Ohio where Lee introduces his Famous Recipe chicken.

  • 1967:

    Up & Running

    Lee’s opens new stores in Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio and Kalamazoo, Michigan.

  • 1972:

    The Great Taste Grows

    Company pilot and director of operations Jerry Sullivan helps open 55 new restaurants for the company and becomes the franchisee for store number 100 in Sanford, Florida.

  • 1981:

    Fifteen Years & Going Strong

    Lee’s Famous Recipe marks its 15th anniversary the same year Shoney’s Inc. in Nashville, Tennessee purchases the rights to the company.

  • 1982:

    Famous Recipe’s First Farmhouse

    Lee’s introduces its new farmhouse store design in Jacksonville, Florida.

  • 1991:

    Quarter-Century of Chicken

    Lee’s celebrates its 25th anniversary with Lee Cummings as its national spokesman.

  • The 2000s:

    Expanded Menu Offerings

    The Lee’s Brand stays strong through several ownership changes, introduces Spicy Jumbo Dippers, and strategically focuses on breast strips and new sides to enhance our customers’ experience.

  • The 2010s:

    Focused on Franchising

    Lee’s re-engineers itself to better support its licensing and franchising efforts across the US, and internationally. New stores are opened or built in Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, and Canada. The brand continues to see sales growth outpacing the industry.

  • 2016:

    Fifty Years of Famous Flavor

    Lee’s celebrates 50 years of being FAMOUS FOR CHICKEN.

Franchisee Benefits

  • Assistance with site selection
  • Access to store plan specifications and approved vendors
  • Management training
  • Support for grand opening
  • Operational support
  • Volume purchase pricing for product and packaging
  • Use of Lee’s logo, brand and famous recipes

10 Steps to Franchising Fame

Ready to be a part of our proven system of operations that’s been a success since 1966? Just follow these steps:

  1. Download our Franchise Brochure.
  2. Complete a Preliminary Application and submit it for review.
  3. Speak with our Director of Franchise Placement, and request a copy of the Lee’s FDD (Franchise Disclosure Document).
  4. Review Lee’s Famous Recipe® Chicken FDD and complete Lee’s Famous Recipe® Chicken’s Financial Application Form.
  5. Attend one of our Lee’s Famous Recipe® Chicken Discovery Days.
  6. Sign your Lee’s Famous Recipe® Chicken franchise documents and make your intiial franchise fee payment.
  7. Secure financing (if needed) and identify the equity requirements necessary and select your store site for approval.
  8. Finalize real estate and begin the store design selection, permitting and construction process.
  9. Complete the Lee’s Famous Recipe® Chicken training course at one of our Certified Training Centers.
  10. Begin the pre-opening process to celebrate the grand opening of your new Lee’s Famous Recipe® Chicken location.

Let’s get started!

Ready to be a part of our proven system of operations that’s been a success since 1966? Great! Choose your level of readiness:

I would like more information.

I’m ready for Step 1: Download the Brochure.

I’m ready for Step 2:
Fill out the Preliminary Application.

Contact Us

If you think you fit the description and want more information
on becoming a Lee's franchisee, get in touch with us! 

Contact information
Franchisee information

This advertising is not an offering. The offer of a Lee’s Famous Recipe® franchise may take place only through the delivery of a current Franchise Disclosure Document or prospectus. No franchises are sold until a prospectus has been registered and declared effective, and an offering document has been delivered to the purchaser prior to the sale in compliance with applicable laws.