Church's receives new investment with 1,000-plus global locations in development
A quick-serve fried chicken chain is receiving new funding to fuel its expansion at home and abroad.
Church’s Texas Chicken has announced a strategic growth equity investment from credit asset manager Golub Capital. The chain says the funding will provide the chain with “significant new capital” to accelerate its next phase of its growth, building on several years of brand transformation. The transaction marks the second time Golub Capital has provided financing to Church's since 2024.
"We've spent the last several years rebuilding the foundation of this brand, strengthening our operations, investing in our franchisees, and reconnecting with the communities that have trusted Church's since its inception,” said Church’s CEO Roland Gonzalez. “This investment from Golub Capital is a vote of confidence in our future and an opportunity to go bigger and even faster in ways that benefit the entire system as restaurants and remodels are expected to drive higher system-wide sales, grow national advertising dollars and continue to elevate overall brand positioning.”
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With the new investment, Church’s says it will expand its restaurant remodel program, accelerate new company-operated restaurant openings, and continue investing in initiatives that support brand and franchisee growth.
The brand has more than 1,000 units in the global development pipeline over the last three years across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Caribbean. Earlier this year, Church's announced a 600-unit development agreement to enter China.
In 2021, Church’s was acquired by High Bluff Capital Partners and Future Standard. Since then, the chain has reported approximately 19% cumulative same store sales growth domestically, with U.S. systemwide traffic up more than 6%.
"When we acquired Church's, we saw a brand with 70 years of equity and significant untapped potential, and we committed to the long, disciplined work of realizing a tremendous opportunity," said Ryan Pitt, principal at High Bluff Capital Partners. "This new capital is about adding fuel at exactly the right moment. High Bluff remains as committed to Church's as the day we bought it. Golub Capital's investment reflects the progress we’ve made and will help further accelerate our growth plans as Church’s continues on its trajectory.”
Founded in 1952 in San Antonio, Church’s operates more than 1,500 restaurants across the U.S. and more than 25 international markets.
