- Red Rooster opened in Kelmscott, WA in 1972 and has more than 345 stores, making it one of Australia’s largest roast chicken chains.
- Broker sources have reported a $50,000 franchise fee, a 5% royalty and a 6% marketing contribution on weekly gross sales.
- Many purchases are resales, with prices varying widely depending on trade and lease length.
Red Rooster is part of Craveable Brands alongside Oporto and Chicken Treat. Its restaurants trade as shopfronts, drive-thrus and food courts in cities and regional towns across Australia.
Because the network is mature, many opportunities are existing restaurants rather than new builds, and resale prices range from under $200,000 to more than $500,000 depending on trade and lease.
Red Rooster franchise at a glance
| Sector | Roast chicken and quick service |
|---|---|
| Owner | Craveable Brands (owned by PAG Asia Capital) |
| Founded | 1972, Kelmscott WA |
| Network | 345+ stores |
| Formats | Shopfront, drive-thru and food court |
| Reported fees | $50,000 franchise fee; 5% royalty; 6% marketing on weekly gross sales (broker sources) |
| Common entry route | Resale of an existing restaurant |
Figures come from the public sources listed at the end of this guide and can change. Treat them as a starting point and confirm current numbers in the franchise disclosure document.
How the Red Rooster model works financially
Roast chicken is cooked in batches through the day, so production planning and wastage control are central to margin. Chicken and oil prices drive food cost, and drive-thru sites trade long hours with high volumes.
Craveable has refurbished many stores in recent years. Before buying, check when the next refurbishment is due and who pays, because a refit can cost a significant share of the purchase price.
The numbers to test before you buy a Red Rooster franchise
- Weekly sales and trend for the specific restaurant over two to three years.
- Food cost and wastage, especially on cooked chicken.
- Labour across trading hours, including late nights and weekends.
- Lease expiry and options; some listings note no further options.
- Refurbishment obligations and timing.
- Royalty and marketing contributions and their sales base.
Buying an existing Red Rooster restaurant
Red Rooster resales are common and often advertised with long leases. Confirm the lease options in writing, reconcile the seller’s figures to BAS and bank statements, and work out what the business earns after paying a manager if you won’t be working in it full time.
How Franchise Co. can help with a Red Rooster purchase
We work with buyers and owners of franchise businesses across Australia. For a Red Rooster restaurant we can:
- Review the numbers before you sign. Our business due diligence starts from $2,000 + GST and tests the asking price, lease, refurbishment obligations and trading history.
- Set up the structure and the books. Entity choice, GST, payroll and a chart of accounts that tracks wastage and food cost weekly. See accounting and tax and bookkeeping, BAS and payroll.
- Check your franchise fees. We reconcile royalty and marketing contributions to the sales they’re calculated on. See royalties and franchise fees.
- Plan the next restaurant. If a second site is on the cards, we model the cash flow and funding first. See multi-site reporting.
Red Rooster franchise FAQs
How much is a Red Rooster franchise?
Resale prices vary widely, from under $200,000 to more than $500,000 plus stock, depending on trade and lease. New restaurant costs depend on format and site.
What are Red Rooster’s franchise fees?
Broker sources have reported a $50,000 franchise fee, a 5% royalty and a 6% marketing contribution. Check current fees in the disclosure document.
Who owns Red Rooster?
Craveable Brands, which also owns Oporto and Chicken Treat.
What should I check before buying an existing Red Rooster?
Trading history, lease options, refurbishment obligations and whether the profit holds up once all labour is paid at award rates.
Franchise Co. is an independent accounting practice. We aren’t affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Red Rooster or Craveable Brands. Red Rooster is a trademark of its owner and is used here only to identify the brand this guide discusses.
Sources and further reading
- Franchise Business: Red Rooster
- Home Loan Experts: Red Rooster franchise loans
- SmartCompany: Craveable Brands sale to PAG
- ACCC: Franchise disclosure document
Sources checked November 2026. Franchise costs and fees change. Confirm current figures with the franchisor before acting.
This guide is general information for people considering a franchise in Australia. It doesn’t take your circumstances into account and isn’t personal tax, legal or financial advice.
Talk it through
Every franchise is different. Ask us how this applies to yours.
