A chicken entrepreneur is someone who starts a second business while maintaining a full-time job, possibly due to fear of leaving a secure income. The term may have originated from fried chicken franchises, which required minimal time commitment. Many people choose to remain chicken entrepreneurs due to high small business failure rates.
Becoming a chicken entrepreneur has very little to do with Colonel Sanders, Frank Purdue, or Kenny Rogers, although an argument could be made for the country singer and roast chicken entrepreneur. In reality, a chicken entrepreneur is someone who pursues a second business while maintaining a full-time job in their chosen field. For example, a tax accountant for a large corporation might choose to open a private tax preparation business in the evenings and weekends, or a professional chef might own a small bistro on the side.
The origin of the term “chicken entrepreneur” may have started at a time when several would-be investors were literally offered fried chicken franchises as profitable businesses. Investing in these fast-food operations would not require owners to leave their regular jobs, as skilled workers and managers would be responsible for day-to-day operational needs. A fried chicken entrepreneur would only need to dedicate a few hours a week to overseeing and promoting the business.
Other sources say the keyword in “chicken entrepreneur” is chicken. Many people dream of quitting their primary jobs entirely to pursue small business ownership, but are simply too “chicken” to cut all ties to a secure income with benefits. By becoming a chicken entrepreneur, a small business owner can still meet their financial obligations while learning the ropes of a new business. If investing in small businesses or franchising works successfully, then, and only then, would a chicken entrepreneur consider abandoning their main source of income.
If current statistics hold true, there are several compelling reasons why someone might want to remain a chicken entrepreneur rather than a small business owner. According to the Small Business Association (SBA), nearly half of all small businesses fail within a year. Even more alarming, it is estimated that 90 to 95% of small businesses fail within five years. With these statistics to consider, it’s no wonder that many would-be small business owners follow the chicken entrepreneur course of action.
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