Food industry is apparently the most popular area of franchising. No doubt that food business is lucrative and always in demand. On the other hand, it requires a lot of investments. The costs an entrepreneur needs have to start a food business vary from thousands to even more than million of US dollars. Food franchises are also diverse and include many concepts such as baked food, pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches, coffee, juice and smoothies and many others. Here is a brief overview of the best food franchises in the USA.
Founded in: 1930
Franchising since: 1952
Franchise units: 20,000+ Worldwide
Initial investment: $1,262,800 - $2,543,000
Royalty Fees: 5%
KFC, also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is an American fast food restaurant chain that specializes in fried chicken but also offers menu of wraps, french fries, soft drinks, salads, desserts, breakfast, krushems (milkshakes). The company has adapted the standard KFC offerings to Indian tastes and the menu options in India include the Hot & Crispy Chicken and Fiery Grilled bucket options, Chicken Zinger Burger, Krushers, Rice Bowlz and the more recently launched 5-in-1 Meal Box.
Founded in: 1950
Franchising since: 1955
Franchise units: 12,600+ Worldwide
Initial investment: $228,620 - $1,691,200
Royalty Fees: 5,9%
Dunkin' is an American global doughnut company and coffeehouse. The chain's products include doughnuts, bagels, other baked goods, and a variety of hot and iced beverages. 30 cups of coffee are being sold by D every second and around 2.9 billion donuts and munchkins globally each year. Dunkin' parent company, Dunkin' Brands Inc., also franchises Baskin-Robbins, and the two concepts are sometimes co-branded.
Founded in: 1958
Franchising since: 1959
Franchise units: 15,000+ Worldwide
Initial investment: $297,000 - $2,109,000
Royalty Fees: 6%
Pizza Hut is an American restaurant chain and international franchise which is known for its Italian-American cuisine menu, including pizza and pasta, as well as side dishes and desserts. It is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., one of the world's largest restaurant companies. Pizza Hut Franchise is one of the most popular pizza franchises in the world and is always looking for new franchisees ready to embrace their winning culture and commitment to superior restaurant-quality food.
Founded in: 1955
Franchising since: 1955
Franchise units: 37,000+ Worldwide
Initial investment: $1,058,000 - $2,230,000
Ongoing Royalty Fee: 4%
McDonald's is the world's largest restaurant chain by revenue, serving over 69 million customers daily in over 100 countries. A new McDonald’s restaurant is opened in every 14.5 hours. McDonald’s sells over 75 burgers every single second. Approximately 7% of the potatoes grown in the U.S. are turned into McDonald’s fries. The McDonald's franchise is recognized as one of the premier franchising companies so buying franchise is a sure way to break into the fast food industry.
Founded in: 1965
Franchising since: 1974
Franchise units: 42,000+ Worldwide
Initial investment: $150,050 - $328,700
Royalty Fees: 8%
Subway is an American privately held fast food restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads. Subway is one of the fastest-growing franchises in the world and is one of the cheapest major fast food restaurants to franchise. Subway offers regular free seminars where those interested in becoming a franchisee can meet Subway representatives and is also a regular attendee at franchising trade shows and events.
Founded in: 1964
Franchising since: 1965
Franchise units: 2000+ Worldwide
Initial investment: $314,550 - $1,844,200
Royalty Fees: 4%
The original Arby's menu consisted of roast beef sandwiches, potato chips and iced tea. Over time other sandwiches, curly fries, milkshakes, meals for kids and light choices have been added to the menu. If franchisees are new, the franchisor requires them to participate in New Franchisee Orientation (NFO). If franchisees are a partnership or corporation, then the franchisor requires that a partner or approved shareholder participate in the NFO.
Founded in: 1945
Franchising since: 1948
Franchise units: 6,700+ Worldwide
Initial investment: $93,550 - $401,800
Royalty Fees: 5,9%
Baskin Robbins is The world’s largest chain of ice cream shops with more than 6,700 locations in nearly 50 countries. Baskin-Robbins, one of the biggest franchises in the world's Ice Cream, a specialist in the Premium Ice Cream with a variety of flavors. Communities around the world have enjoyed a wide variety of treats Baskin-Robbins high value.
Founded in: 1940
Franchising since: 1944
Franchise units: 7,000+ Worldwide
Initial investment: $1,083,525 - $1,850,425
Initial Franchise Fee: $35,000
Ongoing Royalty Fee: 4%
Ad Royalty Fee: $5 - 6%
Dairy Queen, often abbreviated DQ, is a chain of soft serve ice cream and fast-food restaurants owned by International Dairy Queen, Inc., a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. International Dairy Queen, Inc., also owns Orange Julius and Karmelkorn. Food franchising had yet to exist, but the Dairy Queen® product’s rapid-growth potential made the process a piece of cake. Today, there are more than 6,800 restaurants in the United States, Canada, and 27 other countries.
Founded in: 1962
Franchising since: 1964
Franchise units: 6,300+ Worldwide
Initial investment: $525,000 - $2,622,000
Royalty Fees: 5,5%
Taco Bell is an American chain of fast food restaurants which serve a variety of Tex-Mex foods that include tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, novelty and specialty items, and a variety of "value menu" items. If you have a passion for operations, excellence, and team building and you can commit to building at least 3 restaurants over 3 years Taco Bell wants you.
Founded in: 1960
Franchising since: 1967
Franchise units: 5000+
Initial investment: $119,950 - $461,700
Royalty Fees: 5,5%
DOMINO’S PIZZA is an international franchise company that sells pizza with a delivery system and is the second biggest pizza chain in the U.S. with restaurants in every single state. The franchisor offers Domino's Pizza Store concepts under which the franchisee will operate a Domino's Pizza Store selling pizza and other authorized products through delivery and carry-out services. Domino's Pizza franchise has many benefits.
Founded in: 1954
Franchising since: 1954
Franchise units: 16,700+ Worldwide
Initial investment: $323,100 - $3,076,600
Initial Franchise Fee: $15,000 - $50,000
Royalty Fees: 4,5%
Burger King (BK) is an American global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants which menu consists from a basic offering of burgers, French fries, sodas, and milkshakes to a larger and more diverse set of products. To get started, you are required to attend a two week Franchisee Orientation and log up to 440 hours of in-restaurant training. Burger King offers meetings, evaluations, a grand opening event, and a toll-free phone number to call for problems to its franchise owners.
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