Starbird

Starbird

Information based on 2024 FDD

Food & Beverage · Fast Casual

Investment min
$1M
Total: $1M–$1M
Avg gross revenue
$4M
Unit-level, 2024
Franchise fee
$40K
Per current disclosure
Royalty
5%/wk
Locations
8
Franchising since 2022

Description

What is Starbird?

Starbird represents a modern revolution in the fast-casual dining sector, offering a premium chicken experience that combines culinary excellence with convenience. Founded in 2016 in the heart of Silicon Valley, Starbird has rapidly gained recognition for elevating the traditional chicken restaurant concept through innovation and quality.

What sets Starbird apart is their commitment to serving 'super premium' chicken – always fresh, never frozen, and prepared with a proprietary cooking process that ensures exceptional taste and texture. Their menu features a creative array of hand-crafted sandwiches, salads, and tenders, catering to both traditional comfort food lovers and health-conscious diners.

The brand's contemporary restaurant design creates an inviting atmosphere that appeals to a diverse customer base, from busy professionals to families seeking a quality dining experience. Starbird's technological integration, including a seamless digital ordering system and mobile app, positions the franchise at the forefront of modern restaurant operations.

For franchisees, Starbird offers a unique opportunity to be part of an emerging brand that's redefining fast-casual dining. Their business model emphasizes operational excellence, innovative marketing strategies, and comprehensive training programs. The franchise system provides robust support in site selection, store design, staff training, and ongoing operational guidance.

As the demand for premium quick-service dining continues to grow, Starbird's innovative concept and strong brand identity position it well for expansion across diverse markets. Their focus on quality ingredients, efficient operations, and exceptional customer service creates a compelling business opportunity in the competitive fast-casual restaurant space.
  • Premium fast-casual chicken concept positioning
  • System revenue significantly outperforms sub-sector average
  • Early-stage ground floor investment opportunity
  • Limited competition with only 8 current units
  • Upscale dining experience in growing fast-casual segment
  • Established brand foundation since 2016

Location Analysis

Where Starbird wins

Starbird, an emerging fast-casual restaurant concept founded in 2016, currently operates multiple company-owned locations, with no franchised units yet established. The brand has concentrated its initial growth in the San Francisco Bay Area, demonstrating a strategic focus on proving its concept in a sophisticated, tech-forward market with high disposable income. This controlled expansion approach suggests a commitment to perfecting operations before launching franchise opportunities.

The brand's current geographic footprint, while focused, provides valuable insights for future franchise development. Ideal locations for Starbird typically include urban and suburban areas with high-income demographics, strong daytime population, and proximity to business districts or retail centers. The concept particularly thrives in markets with health-conscious consumers who value premium, fast-casual dining options.

Potential franchisees should focus on metropolitan areas with similar characteristics to the Bay Area: high population density, strong median household income (>$75,000), and a demonstrated appetite for innovative dining concepts. Key site selection criteria should include locations with high visibility, easy access, and substantial foot traffic. While the current absence of franchise units presents some uncertainty, it also offers early adopters the opportunity to secure prime territories in untapped markets. The brand's success in one of America's most competitive restaurant markets suggests strong potential for expansion into similar metropolitan regions.
Total US locations
8
Franchise units
N/A
Corporate locations
8
Avg. sq. footage
N/A
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Financial Analysis

The numbers behind Starbird

Avg gross revenue$3,803,797
Investment range$1,116,907 – $1,470,263
Investment midpoint$1,293,585
Brand fund3%/wk
Royalty5%/wk
Franchise fee$40,000
Min. net worth
Min. liquid capital
Starbird requires a substantial investment of $1,116,907 - $1,470,263, positioning it in the premium tier of fast-casual franchises—significantly above the sub-sector average of $406,514 - $894,151. This elevated investment reflects the brand's upscale positioning in the competitive chicken segment, requiring sophisticated kitchen equipment, premium interior design, and operational infrastructure. The reported system-wide gross revenue of $3,803,797 substantially exceeds the fast-casual average of $696,569, though this represents total system performance across all units rather than individual franchise projections.

Established in 2016 with 8 active units, Starbird represents an emerging franchise system in early development phases. While the limited unit count indicates nascent brand recognition, it also presents ground-floor opportunity for qualified investors seeking to enter an emerging concept. The fast-casual segment continues experiencing robust growth, driven by consumer demand for premium ingredients and elevated dining experiences.

The premium investment level necessitates investors with substantial liquid capital and restaurant industry experience. Multi-unit development potential exists given the brand's scalability, though market saturation risks remain minimal due to limited current presence. Territory availability appears extensive given the small footprint relative to market opportunity.

Key considerations include the brand's early-stage development, requiring investors comfortable with emerging systems and limited operational precedent. Prospective franchisees should thoroughly review the FDD for specific capital requirements, franchise fees, and territory details given the system's developmental stage and significant investment requirements.
Did you know? Did you know that launching your own Starbird chicken franchise - the fast-casual concept known for its crispy fried chicken sandwiches and California-inspired flavors - requires a total investment between $1,116,907 and $1,470,263, which covers everything from the $40,000 franchise fee to equipment, buildout, and working capital needed to bring this popular chicken brand to your community?

Financing partners

Vetted partners, tailored to franchisees

Your Franzy advisor can connect you with these partners later in the process — competitive rates, specialized in franchise financing.

FranFund

Lender

CRF USA

Nonprofit SBA lender; provides financing for franchise acquisitions, startups, and expansion.

Lender

First Bank of the Lake

Lender

Pension Pros

Lender

FDD Item 7

Initial investment range

$1M–$1M
Most common
$1,116,907
Minimum
$1,293,585
Midpoint
$1,470,263
Maximum

Per FDD Item 7, total initial investment ranges from $1,116,907 to $1,470,263. The midpoint $1,293,585 is what most franchisees report at signing — financing typically reduces cash-at-close by 80–90%. Knowing the investment range helps you plan confidently and ensure you're fully prepared to make the leap.

FDD Item 19

Average gross sales

$5M$4M$3M$2M$1MN/A
$4M
$4M
$4M
2022
2023
2024
Avg
$4M
YOY change (2023 -> 2024)
-9%

According to Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document, Starbird has an average gross revenue of $4M. (Note: This information is based on the latest FDD in our records. Please review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and confirm this information directly with the brand. We make no claims of accuracy for the information presented.)

Growth over time

Franchise footprint

+14% YoY
1086420
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
8 units open as of 2024 FDD+1 in last 12 mo

2024 Franchise Disclosure

FDD documents

Below are items 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 19 for Starbird's 2024 FDD. The complete FDD is delivered to you directly by the franchisor, per the FTC Franchise Rule.

Estimated initial investment
FDD Item 7 · PDF
Financial performance representations
FDD Item 19 · PDF
Members-only items
Executive team
FDD Item 2 · PDF
Litigation
FDD Item 3 · PDF
Bankruptcy
FDD Item 4 · PDF
Franchisor assistance
FDD Item 11 · PDF
Members only
Unlock the 2024 FDD

Connect to download Items 2, 3, 4, and 11 — direct from the franchisor.

Buyer FAQs

Frequently asked questions

The initial investment for a Starbird franchise typically ranges between $1,116,907.00 and $1,470,263.00. This includes the franchise fee, equipment, real estate, and other startup costs. To get a detailed breakdown and better understand the financial requirements, we recommend scheduling a call with the Franzy team. We'll walk you through the specifics and answer any questions you might have. For more detailed information, refer to the financial sections of the FDD.

Disclaimer. The information provided on this page is based on the latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that is publicly available and that we have on record, which was issued in 2024. This information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or business advice. We make no guarantees or claims regarding the completeness or accuracy. For the most current and detailed information, we recommend consulting the franchisor directly for the most recent FDD and regarding any questions that you may have about the information provided.

Starbird
Starbird
$4M avg revenue · 0+ US franchises

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