Grocery store opportunities of franchising are endless. An entrepreneur can open either a small drive-thru grocery store paying the pretty affordable cost and fees or a huge one with a gas station nearby investing more and receiving a higher and faster income later. Grocery store franchise business may vary by size, concept, diversity of products, locations, prices, and services. We have built a list of the best grocery franchise brands. It includes businesses with different concepts: outlets, health and wellness stores, kiosk concepts, etc. The top franchises operating in the field are looking for new franchisees with a willingness to expand brand recognition and share the values. They promise fast return on investments, training, marketing, merchandise assistance, and constant support in starting and doing the business. Don`t miss the chance to become your own boss by joining one of the most famous grocery store franchise brands in the USA.
Founded in: 1988
Franchising since: 1995
Franchise units: 36
Initial investment: $122,300 - $657,300
Franchise Fee: $30,000
Royalty Fees: 5%
The Street Corner Urban Market concept sets us miles apart from traditional, mainstream convenience stores that lack soul and vision. Becoming a Street Corner franchise owner is a proven way to affordably build your own business, and you’ll gain access to high-quality design plans, vendors, and hands-on training. All the benefits of being your own boss are waiting right around the corner. Street Corner convenience stores are located in the most popular shopping malls and other high traffic areas–hospitals, office buildings, and college campuses around the country, providing an easy and affordable opportunity to be a part of the fast-moving, faster-growing convenience store industry.
Founded in: 1951
Franchising since: 1999
Franchise units: 12,095
Initial investment: $189,250 - $2,204,150
Franchise Fee: $25,000
Royalty Fees: 2.5-5.5%
Circle K is one of the largest convenience store chains in the United States and has store locations worldwide. Circle K stores offer everything needed by customers on the go, including a beverage fountain, coffee bar, frozen and refrigerated foods, packaged and dry goods and other groceries, and some locations offer gasoline. Circle K has a strong family of proprietary products that provide our franchisees with high-quality, lower-cost goods. Recognized brands with attractive margins means more money in your pockets per units sold.
Founded in: 1957
Franchising since: 2015
Franchise units: 28
Initial investment: $128,501 - $213,200
Franchise Fee: $25,000
Royalty Fees: 5%
Farm Stores is America’s largest and original drive-thru grocery store. It provides a unique neighborhood experience. The company offers all your favorite grocery brands in addition to products you won’t find anywhere else, and brings it all directly to your car. Farm Stores started franchising in Florida in 2015 and now has 28 operating franchise locations. Farm Stores is a ground floor opportunity with a total new look with all the newest technology bells and whistles to attract your customers and enhance your sales.
Founded in: 1946
Franchising since: 1973
Franchise units: 325
Initial investment: $150,000 - $250,000
Franchise Fee: None
Royalty Fees: None
Grocery Outlet is one of the largest opportunistic buyers of grocery items in the country, and we sell name-brand items to customers for up to 60% off conventional grocery store retail prices. Since we buy extreme bargains from suppliers, we are able to maintain strong margins for our Independent Operators while still selling at low prices for our customers. Our customers love saving money on brands they know as well as discovering new ones. That’s why we have seen 16 years of consecutive, same store sales growth.
Founded in: 1927
Franchising since: 1964
Franchise units: 77,346
Initial investment: $69,650 - $1,233,900
Franchise Fee: $0 - $1,000,000
Royalty Fees: 50% gross profit
A Business System That Stands Apart: 7-Eleven® is consistently singled out as one of the top franchise opportunities in the country because the company makes such an investment in continuously innovating new structures and services to better serve franchisees. The franchise focus of 7-Eleven is on delivering proactive customer service to our franchisees in every aspect of their business. Through all of its products, services and relationships, 7-Eleven makes life more convenient for their guests, communities, Franchise Stores, and partners.
Founded in: 1977
Franchising since: 1978
Franchise units: 1,150
Initial investment: $750,000 - $1,500,000
Franchise Fee: None
Royalty Fees: None
Save A Lot stands out from the competition, but for customers and our independent retail partners, we’re not a grocery store franchise. Ours is a licensing opportunity specializing in value and convenience. Customers love that they can easily stop into one of our stores to find the groceries they need, whether it’s USDA-inspected meats, farm-fresh produce, pantry staples, cleaning supplies, and other household essentials. They particularly value the award-winning proprietary brands and low prices we offer that they can’t find elsewhere. As a retail partner, you’ll greatly appreciate that Save A Lot allows you to build a thriving business using a time-tested model proven to be efficient and effective. The support you’ll enjoy along the way makes it easier than ever to grow.
Founded in: 1935
Franchising since: 1988
Franchise units: 6,019
Initial investment: $149,722 - $388,630
Franchise Fee: $40,000
Royalty Fees: 6%
GNC is a leading, highly-regarded brand in Health and Wellness, with a multi-channel, global reach. Customers shop GNC for premium brands, product innovation, quality, trust and integrity. As a GNC Franchisee, you enjoy the flexibility of being your own boss and the reward of working in an industry that helps people live well. Even better, GNC minimizes your risk by providing outstanding operational support including training, marketing, and sales and merchandising assistance designed to maximize your return on investment.
Founded in: 1983
Franchising since: 1983
Franchise units: 500
Initial investment: $55,875 – $501,750
Franchise Fee: $15,000 - $150,000
Royalty Fees: 3.5%
Gateway Newstands was founded in 1983 by Michael Aychental and David Goldman, who started franchising the concept the same year. A family-owned and -operated partnership based in Canada, Gateway has grown to more than 300 stores in North America, including locations in Toronto, New York and Chicago. Gateway emphasizes a hands-on business approach, putting a franchise owner in each of its locations. Franchisees work from kiosks or stores in large office buildings, selling snacks, drinks, candy, cards, tobacco, reading material, lottery tickets and other impulse buys.
Founded in: 1975
Franchising since: 1990
Franchise units: 47
Initial investment: $86,200 – $361,000
Franchise Fee: $15,000
Royalty Fees: 4%
Express Mart, founded in 1975 by Frank Borer, has locations in strip malls and gas stations across the northeastern United States. The company is involved in co-branding partnerships with McDonald's, Wendy's, Domino's Pizza, Subway and Dunkin' Donuts, as well as local partnerships with Jreck Subs and Mark's Pizza. Express Mart sells quality Mobil Gasoline and is dedicated to providing high-quality products that meet or exceed equipment specifications and consumer needs under all reasonable circumstances.
Conclusion
To summarize, we can say any of the listed above grocery store franchises is worth buying. But there is a lot to consider while choosing the best one for you. Pay attention to the reputation of the brand, what training and support are offered, check if the other franchisees are successful. But the main thing you need to do is to align your budget with investment requirements of the brand. In order to ease the challenge, we have made the comparison flowchart of the best grocery store franchises in the USA for you. It shows the minimum estimated initial investment and initial franchise fee of each brand. By using it, you can figure out the difference in financial requirements for each franchise, and decide which one fits you the most.
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