America’s Best Franchises (ABF) Brand Insight —
Birdcall isn’t trying to out-Chick-fil-A Chick-fil-A. It’s building a different category entirely — premium fast-casual with all-natural chicken, experience-driven restaurant design, proprietary technology, and a community-first identity that resonates with today’s consumer. Founded in Denver in 2016, the brand launches franchising in 2025 with 12 corporate locations already proving the model across Colorado, Arizona, and Texas. The AUV numbers are early but compelling — and the ground-floor timing is real.
At a Glance
- Minimum Liquid Capital Required — $300,000. Liquid capital means readily available cash or cash-equivalent assets accessible without borrowing, selling a primary residence, or relying on future income.
- Ownership Model — Owner-operator or multi-unit operator. The brand is actively recruiting franchisees ready to scale across multiple locations.
- Location Type — Retail restaurant, approximately 2,300 sq. ft. with seating for approximately 150 guests. Free-standing locations preferred; endcap, drive-thru, and non-traditional venues also available.
- Time Commitment — Full-time during launch and ramp-up. Multi-unit operators may transition to a management-led structure as the team matures.
- Experience Required — Restaurant or multi-unit business operations background preferred. No culinary background required — Birdcall provides comprehensive training on all operational and technical systems.
Top 5 Reasons to Invest
- $2.4M average unit volume — median AUV of $2,434,728 reported in the FDD across corporate locations
- Ground-floor franchise launch — 12 proven corporate locations, just opening to franchisees in 2025
- Proprietary technology platform — Poncho POS, AI-driven analytics, automated kitchen operations, and a loyalty app built in-house
- All-natural chicken, chef-inspired menu, and Whole Foods partnership — premium positioning in a crowded category
- Multiple revenue streams — dine-in, drive-thru, delivery, online ordering, and catering with alcohol sales available
About Birdcall
Birdcall was founded in 2016 in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood with a clear mission — deliver all-natural, chef-inspired chicken in a fast-casual setting without sacrificing quality or experience. The brand now operates 12 corporate locations across Colorado, Arizona, and Texas, generating a median AUV of $2,434,728 and 91% sales growth from 2019 to 2023. In January 2025, Birdcall launched its franchise program with a stated goal of 200+ locations open and operating nationwide by the end of 2028.
The menu centers on 10 all-natural crispy and grilled chicken sandwiches, hand-cut tenders and nuggets, specialty salads, and 15 house-made sauces — complemented by alcohol sales available at qualifying locations. The ordering experience runs through Poncho, Birdcall’s proprietary in-house POS system, supported by automated kitchen operations, AI-driven analytics, and a branded mobile app. Restaurant design is a deliberate differentiator — vibrant interiors, custom arcade games, bold art, outdoor patios, and putting greens make each location a destination rather than a pit stop.
Why Franchise With Birdcall?
- Proven AUV before franchising begins — Most early-stage brands ask franchisees to trust a concept that hasn’t been fully tested. Birdcall enters franchising with 12 corporate locations, a median AUV of $2,434,728, and 91% sales growth over four years. The model is proven before the first franchise opens.
- Proprietary technology built in-house — The Poncho POS system, automated kitchen operations, AI-driven analytics, and a loyalty app are all proprietary — not licensed third-party software. This gives Birdcall a technology moat that competitors using off-the-shelf systems cannot replicate.
- Premium market positioning — Birdcall’s all-natural, no-antibiotic chicken and Whole Foods partnership signal quality credibility that fast-food chicken brands cannot match. Consumers choosing Birdcall are not cross-shopping with Popeyes or KFC — they are a different demographic with higher average ticket spend.
- Multiple revenue streams — Dine-in, drive-thru, delivery partnerships with DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub, direct online ordering, catering, and alcohol sales at qualifying locations create diversified revenue that reduces dependence on any single channel.
- Community identity that drives loyalty — The 1% Back initiative donates a portion of every sale to local nonprofits and schools. Birdcall’s community engagement model builds the kind of local loyalty that corporate chains cannot manufacture, creating a durable competitive advantage in each market.
ABF Advisory Perspective
ABF Market Analysis —
The fast-casual chicken segment is one of the most competitive in franchising — Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane’s, Dave’s Hot Chicken, and Shake Shack are all fighting for the same consumer. Birdcall’s differentiator is positioning above that battle rather than within it. All-natural ingredients, chef-driven menu complexity, alcohol sales, experiential restaurant design, and a Whole Foods co-branding relationship move Birdcall into a premium tier where the competitive set is much smaller. Consumers paying a premium for food quality are also more loyal, less price-sensitive, and more likely to return — a fundamentally stronger customer base for franchisees building long-term revenue.
ABF Timing Insight —
Birdcall is at the earliest possible stage of franchising — 12 proven corporate locations, a just-launched franchise program, and a stated 200-location goal by 2028. Ground-floor timing in a brand with proven AUVs is rare. The downside is that franchisee support infrastructure is still being built at scale, and early franchisees will be helping to establish systems that later units will benefit from. Candidates with strong restaurant or multi-unit operations experience who are comfortable navigating early-stage growth — and who want to lock in the best available territories before the brand gains national recognition — are the right profile for this opportunity.
Training & Support
- Comprehensive initial training — Full instruction covering restaurant operations, customer service standards, team management, and Birdcall’s technology platform including Poncho POS and the branded ordering app.
- Smart real estate and site selection — Market research, demographic analysis, and competition mapping to identify the highest-potential location in your territory before you sign a lease.
- Technology training — In-depth instruction on Birdcall’s proprietary ordering kiosks, Poncho POS, AI-driven analytics, and operational tools designed to streamline staffing, inventory, and reporting across locations.
- Performance support — Training on interpreting key performance metrics and using sales data to identify trends, optimize operations, and drive profitability at the unit level.
- Ongoing support — Regular updates, resource access, and scheduled check-ins with the Birdcall team throughout the life of the franchise relationship.
- Third-party financing relationships — Birdcall has established relationships with third-party lenders covering franchise fees, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, and payroll.
Franchise Owners That Thrive
- Restaurant and hospitality operators — Franchisees with existing experience managing restaurant teams, food service operations, or multi-unit businesses will have the strongest foundation for execution from day one.
- Multi-unit operators building a portfolio — Birdcall is actively recruiting franchisees with the capital and operational depth to scale across multiple territories. The technology platform and scalable systems are purpose-built for multi-unit management.
- Community-oriented entrepreneurs — The 1% Back program and local nonprofit partnerships are not optional add-ons — they are central to Birdcall’s brand identity. Owners who genuinely engage with their communities will build the strongest customer loyalty and brand reputation in their market.
- Brand builders who think long-term — As a ground-floor franchise, Birdcall’s early franchisees are not just opening restaurants — they are helping to define the brand’s national identity. Owners who embrace that role and invest in the brand will be positioned best when the 200-location growth target brings national recognition.
Who This Franchise Is NOT For
- Anyone looking for a simple, low-complexity food franchise — Birdcall’s chef-driven menu, proprietary technology, and experiential restaurant design require operational attention that basic QSR concepts do not.
- Anyone below the financial qualifications — total investment ranges from $702,000 to $2,433,000 with a $50,000 franchise fee. Candidates without sufficient liquid capital and access to financing should not apply.
- Passive investors expecting absentee ownership — restaurants require active management, especially during the critical first year of operations. This is not a semi-absentee model at the single-unit level.
- Candidates outside the initial expansion footprint — Birdcall’s 2025 launch focuses on Western and Southwestern states. Candidates in other markets should contact the franchisor directly about timeline and territory availability.
Franchisor Authority Disclosure
America’s Best Franchises provides guidance and introductions. Final approval criteria, financial thresholds, and territory decisions are determined exclusively by the franchisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What makes Birdcall different from other chicken franchises?
A. Birdcall competes in a different tier than most chicken franchises. The combination of 100% all-natural, never-frozen chicken, a chef-inspired menu with 10 sandwich varieties and 15 house-made sauces, alcohol sales, proprietary technology, and experience-driven restaurant design with outdoor patios and arcade features positions Birdcall well above fast-food chicken competitors. The Whole Foods partnership reinforces quality credibility that legacy chicken brands cannot match.
Q. What does the Item 19 financial performance data show?
A. Birdcall’s FDD reports AUV data from corporate locations: the high unit reached $2,691,758, the median unit achieved $2,434,728, and the low unit generated $2,038,627 in gross revenue. These figures reflect corporate-owned locations — individual franchisee results will vary based on market, ownership, team performance, and other factors. Review the complete FDD with a franchise attorney before making any investment decision.
Q. What revenue streams does Birdcall offer?
A. Birdcall generates revenue through five channels — dine-in, drive-thru, delivery through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub, direct online ordering integrated with the Poncho POS system, and catering. Alcohol sales are available at qualifying locations, adding a high-margin revenue layer that most chicken concepts do not offer.
Q. What is the Poncho technology platform?
A. Poncho is Birdcall’s proprietary in-house point-of-sale and operations system — not licensed software. It integrates ordering kiosks, online ordering, kitchen automation, staffing optimization, inventory management, and AI-driven analytics into a single platform. For multi-unit operators, Poncho provides real-time performance data across locations that simplifies management and decision-making.
Q. Is financing available?
A. Yes. Birdcall has established relationships with third-party lenders who offer financing covering franchise fees, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, and payroll for qualified candidates.
By submitting this form, you confirm that you meet the minimum liquid capital requirement of $300,000 established by the franchisor.
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This profile represents general franchise information. Individual results may vary. Refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.