Church’s Texas Chicken secures funding for ‘next stage of growth'

Growth equity investment

Church’s Texas Chicken just received a growth equity investment from Golub Capital that will ensure the 74-year-old brand keeps pace with the fast-growing chicken category.

The undisclosed investment is aimed at accelerating the company’s “next phase of growth,” including the expansion of its remodel program, which it says has generated sales increases. The funding will also be used to accelerate new company-operated restaurant openings and other initiatives supporting brand and franchisee growth.

Church’s currently has more than 1,500 restaurants across the U.S. and more than 25 international markets. Domestically, it finished 2025 with over $861 million in sales and 770 locations. In November, Church’s named Bobby Morena to the chief development officer role to continue its U.S. expansion.

The chain’s global system has been doing a lot of the heavy lifting for its expansion of late. In April, for instance, the company signed a deal to enter China this summer, marking its 27th international market. Led by EVP of International Tim Waddell, Church’s has a development pipeline of more than 1,500 restaurants outside of the U.S.

Brand performance

In 2021, the brand was acquired by High Bluff Capital Partners and Future Standard and put into place CEO Roland Gonzalez. Since, average unit volumes at franchised locations have increased by over $200,000, according to the company. This translates to more than $55,000 of additional profit per restaurant achieved through supply chain and technology modernization efforts, menu upgrades, and a marketing strategy focused on the brand’s core consumer base.

Also, since the end of 2021 through Q1 2026, Church’s has delivered approximately 19% cumulative same-store sales growth domestically, while traffic has increased by more than 6%.

"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,” Gonzalez said in a statement. “We don't just want to feed the communities we serve; we want to be an integral part of them. That work is paying off: we're posting record sales, our franchisees are seeing stronger returns than ever, and we're winning in a category where many of our competitors are struggling.

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.”

This transaction marks the second time Golub Capital has provided financing to Church’s since 2024.

"When we acquired Church's in 2021, 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," High Bluff Capital Partners Principal Ryan Pitt said in a statement. "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.”

Future Standard Managing Director Rushabh Vora added that Golub Capital’s investment shows its conviction with the Church’s brand, as well as its management team and potential ahead.

Golub Capital Vice Chair and Co-Head of the firm’s Sponsor Finance business Greg Cashman reiterated this, stating, “Over the course of (its Church’s) relationship, we have seen the team strengthen the business. We take pride in developing durable partnerships with private equity sponsors, management teams and the businesses they support, and we are pleased to invest in this next phase of Church’s growth.”