Mrs. Winner's Chicken & Biscui

Mrs. Winner's Chicken & Biscui was founded in 1979 by Jack C. Massey in Atlanta, Georgia. Massey had previously owned Kentucky Fried Chicken and acquired and rebranded the 21 unit Granny's of Atlanta chain as the foundation for the concept. His holding company, Volunteer Capital, became Winners Corp. in 1982. The brand serves Southern style fried chicken and made from scratch biscuits. Its system reached 184 locations in the mid 1980s, with some accounts placing it near 200 units across Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, North Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi. Today, approximately 12 locations operate in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama, while current database figures show 5 total units, including 3 franchised locations. The headquarters remains in Atlanta, Georgia, where Massey launched the brand 46 years ago.

The limited service restaurant industry, including quick service and fast casual formats, generates approximately $350 billion in annual U.S. revenue. Fried chicken has been among food service's fastest growing segments over the past decade, supported by demand for protein focused meals, Southern comfort food, and value priced options during inflationary periods. Chicken sandwiches, elevated fried chicken concepts, and chicken focused fast casual brands have increased interest in differentiated offerings. Quick service restaurants also attract franchise buyers through established consumer demand, scalable operations, and brand recognition. In the Southeast, Mrs. Winner's made from scratch biscuit platform distinguishes it from mass market competitors. Regional Southern chicken chains are often smaller than 50 locations, leaving potential room in markets such as Nashville, Atlanta, Memphis, Birmingham, and Charlotte.

Current franchise disclosure data places the total investment at $429,000 to $782,720, depending on real estate format, market, construction or conversion needs, and equipment selection. A 2016 estimate was $200,000 to $500,000. A case involving franchisee Vickey Shelton's Stockbridge, Georgia, location included approximately $430,000 for land and building, $175,000 for equipment, and $50,000 for working capital, totaling approximately $655,000. The franchise fee is $30,000, compared with approximately $35,000 to $50,000 for comparable quick service concepts. The royalty is 4% of gross sales and the advertising contribution is 2%, for combined ongoing fees of 6%, versus a category norm of 8% to 12%. Candidates need at least $100,000 in liquid capital, with an ideal profile of $150,000, and a minimum net worth of $250,000. The franchise is eligible for SBA loan processing through the SBA Franchise Registry Program. BeneTrends is listed as an additional financing resource. Veterans and public protectors, including police and fire personnel, may receive a franchise fee discount.

Mrs. Winner's uses an owner operator model centered on fried chicken, made from scratch biscuits, and quick service. The owner operator or designated general manager oversees scheduling, food costs, local marketing, and customer service. Pre opening training lasts 3 to 5 weeks for the Operating Principal and General Manager in Atlanta and at the Stockbridge, Georgia, location. Training includes hiring, employee instruction, marketing plans, point of sale operation, labor controls, food cost analysis, and financial management. The franchise fee supports development services such as site analysis, lease review, architectural and equipment review, construction specifications, and site visits before and after opening. Royalty payments include continuing operational assistance for the full franchise agreement. Mike Reynolds joined in April 2016 to support growth and attract multi unit franchisees. Territories include metropolitan Atlanta, Nashville, Memphis, Birmingham, Chattanooga, Northern Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Virginia.

Stockbridge sales increased 49% over twelve months and exceeded $20,000 per week, or more than $1,040,000 annually at that point.

The brand reached approximately 184 to 200 locations in the mid 1980s across Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, North Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi. RTM Inc., Arby's largest franchisee, acquired it in 1989 for approximately $30 million. Lee's Famous Recipe, Inc. purchased Mrs. Winner's in 2006. The 2008 recession led to the closure of all company owned stores, followed by Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2010, leaving approximately 12 to 15 operating locations by November 2010. Attorney John Buttolph acquired the trademarks, assets, and franchising rights in 2012, becoming president and later CEO, and worked with COO Alton Shields on market by market rebuilding. The system had 12 locations across Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee by April 2016. In April 2019, Buttolph and Shields sold the brand and all franchising and licensing rights to A La Carte Menu Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Gourmet Services, Inc. The count reached 16 by November 2024 and returned to approximately 12 by late 2025. Earlier plans called for 30 to 50 new locations in the first five years, another 100 in the next five years, and a long term target of 150 to 200 restaurants across the Southeast. Its stated advantages include regional recognition, proprietary biscuit recipes, lower ongoing fees, and knowledge of Southeastern consumers.

The target franchisee is a hands on owner operator with restaurant or food service management experience, enough capital for the ramp up period, and a connection to Southeastern markets. The required liquid capital is $100,000, the ideal target is $150,000, and minimum net worth is $250,000. The brand favors multi unit operators, particularly candidates prepared to develop two to five locations in a defined territory. Priority areas include metropolitan Atlanta, Nashville, Memphis, Birmingham, and Chattanooga, along with Northern Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Virginia. Training requires 3 to 5 weeks in Atlanta and Stockbridge, Georgia, so the opportunity suits buyers who can devote substantial attention to opening rather than manage remotely. The brand's SBA Franchise Registry approval may help qualified applicants move through loan processing after signing.

Mrs. Winner's combines 46 years of regional history with a made from scratch biscuit offering, a 6% combined royalty and advertising charge, and a $429,000 to $782,720 investment range. Its approximately 12 locations, including 3 franchised units in the active database, show a system still rebuilding. PeerSense provides independent franchise information, including SBA lending history, Loan Activity Score data, location maps with Google ratings, FDD financial data, and comparison tools. PeerSense is a commercial capital advisory firm that introduces franchise buyers to SBA and conventional lenders, rather than a lender. Buyers should weigh the brand's recognition, fee structure, SBA eligibility, veteran discounts, operating history, and limited financial disclosure before pursuing the opportunity.