Top Rated Food and Beverage Franchises

These best-in-class food franchises offer franchising opportunities to entrepreneurs who thrive in fast-paced environments and wish to serve their communities. Explore and compare startup costs, territories, support programs, franchisee satisfaction ratings and more to identify the brand the resonates with your own priorities, values, and goals. Plus, request more information directly from the franchise via the form on their company profile page.

“The food franchise sector is historically one of the toughest, but delivers a tremendous return on investment for many,” said Eric Stites, CEO of Franchise Business Review, “The key is to choose the right brand.”

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Kona Ice mobile shaved ice franchise opportunity long line in front of company vehicle
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

Kona Ice

Industry: Food & Beverage

Kona Ice mobile trucks specialize in serving premium, low-sugar shaved ice in a variety of flavors. 99% of Kona Ice franchise owners would recommend the franchise to others. Download the Kona Ice Fran…

Investment: $149,995 - $189,300 Cash Required: $20,000

Wetzel's Pretzels

Industry: Food & Beverage

Wetzel’s Pretzels is a chain of fast-food restaurants that aim to satisfy customers’ soft pretzel and hot dog cravings. Wetzel’s Pretzels’ infamous hand-rolled, freshly-baked, soft…

Investment: $167,900 - $683,650 Cash Required: $100,000

A&W Restaurants

Industry: Food & Beverage

A&W Restaurants is a thriving part of the American experience. With almost 500 locations across the country, the brand remains a one-of-a-kind true original.

Investment: $278,285 - $1,594,889 Cash Required: $250,000
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

Pizza Factory

Industry: Food & Beverage

Family-friendly dining franchise Pizza Factory specializes in serving fresh, never frozen hand-tossed pizza, pasta, wings, sandwiches, salads, beer, wine and more.

Investment: $274,000 - $542,000 Cash Required: $90,000
Bahama Buck's franchise opportunity food franchise business owners
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

Bahama Buck's

Industry: Food & Beverage

As the nation’s premier tropical dessert franchise, no one does Sno® better than Bahama Buck’s. You will find yourself surrounded by fresh, innovative products, new creative ideas, and an uncompl…

Investment: $445,000 - $1,180,000 Cash Required: $100,000

BIGGBY COFFEE

Industry: Food & Beverage

Biggby Coffee is a neighborhood cafe with offerings that include espresso-based beverages, coffee, tea, other beverages, sandwiches, baked goods, and other food products as well as whole bean coffee, …

Investment: $276,000 - $439,000

Ellianos Coffee Company

Industry: Food & Beverage

“Italian Quality at America’s Pace” is the goal of Ellianos Coffee Company, a double-sided drive through coffee brand whose vision is to position themselves as a dominant regional brand,…

Investment: $397,500 - $690,000 Cash Required: $150,000
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

Checkers & Rally's

Industry: Food & Beverage

Checkers & Rally’s drive-thru restaurants specialize in hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries and milkshakes. 

Investment: $790,797 - $2,368,316 Cash Required: $250,000
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

The Haagen-Dazs Shoppe

Industry: Food & Beverage

The Häagen-Dazs Shoppe is a global brand that has been perfecting the art of making premium ice cream for more than 50 years. 

Investment: $214,518 - $542,768 Cash Required: $80,000
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

Chicken Salad Chick

Industry: Food & Beverage

Chicken Salad Chick serves more than a dozen scratch-made, southern-style flavors of chicken salad made daily.

Investment: $744,500 - $990,500 Cash Required: $250,000
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

East Coast Wings + Grill

Industry: Food & Beverage

East Coast Wings + Grill full-service restaurants serve over 50 unique flavors of chicken wings along with a wide variety of other menu items.

Investment: $427,968 - $981,275 Cash Required: $200,000
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Culver's

Industry: Food & Beverage

Culver’s is an American casual fast food restaurant chain that operates primarily in the Midwestern U.S. The brand is known for its “butter burgers” and frozen custard. It also offer…

Investment: $2,254,000 - $7,228,000 Cash Required: $500,000
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Pizza Ranch

Industry: Food & Beverage

Pizza Ranch is one of the largest pizza chains in the Midwest with over 200 locations offering a unique Buffet Your Way experience for its guests.

Investment: $1,135,500 - $3,947,500 Cash Required: $400,000
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Nothing Bundt Cakes

Industry: Food & Beverage

Nothing Bundt Cakes is a successful, niche bakery concept with more than 410 bakeries across the U.S. Our specialty is providing an incomparable gift food product; which, when given or received, leave…

Investment: $440,800 - $636,500 Cash Required: $150,000
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Penn Station

Industry: Food & Beverage

Our menu features an array of mouth watering Grilled Penn Station submarine sandwiches, fresh-cut fries and hand-squeezed lemonade. All sandwiches are prepared fresh in full view of the customer using…

Investment: $366,693 - $820,026 Cash Required: $300,000
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Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Industry: Food & Beverage

Tropical Smoothie Café is a lifestyle brand for people looking for better-for-you alternatives to fast food. They serve great-tasting, nutritious food and smoothies at more than 1,100 locations in th…

Investment: $296,500 - $661,500 Cash Required: $125,000
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Top Food Franchises to Feed Your Need to Succeed

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food franchises feed the need to succeed

First-time franchise investors often think of fast food as the best initial investment. There’s a reason for this—fast food franchises are some of the most well-known and successful opportunities available. Brands like McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Subway essentially created the modern franchise handbook and have paved the way for success, but these heavy-hitters often require significant capital in order to get going.

If a top tier franchise is out of reach for you, it’s important to know that there are many other food franchises available that are just as lucrative and offer the same resources, support and training materials as the major brands.

“Americans are excited to return to the ways things were before the pandemic. We’re already seeing a big rebound in the food and beverage sector,” said Eric Stites, founder and CEO of Franchise Business Review.

“If your passion is being your own boss, and you’re looking to invest in a business that feeds your passion. I recommend that you consider a food and beverage franchise. Franchises offer a proven business model for success, including the training and support you need, backed by the power of a recognized and respected brand.”

Before you invest in any franchise, Stites notes that it’s critical that you do your research. When you compare brands side by side and carefully consider all franchisee satisfaction ratings, you will be able to find an opportunity that suits your professional goals and personal lifestyle.

Begin your research with Franchise Business Review’s List of Top Food Franchises, and consider these tips for finding the right wings franchise or fast food franchise for you.

Food Franchises: What You Need to Know

Food franchises are often the perfect fit for a first-time franchisee, largely because these brands offer significant ongoing support to business owners. When you invest in a wings franchise or another type of food franchise, you will receive training manuals, marketing materials and support programs that will give you the guidance and structure you need to get your business up and running on the best possible note. In addition, many food franchises will help you select a location that is not in direct competition with another franchise in the area, giving you the ability to attract new customers using a reputable, trusted brand.

Fast food franchises are generally available at all levels, ranging from minimal initial investments and start-up fees to very significant asset requirements. If you are looking to invest in a more affordable brand that still offers a guaranteed success, you might want to consider an East Coast Wings & Grill franchise. This up-and-coming brand is known for its full-service restaurants that feature more than 50 different flavors of chicken wing sauces. Start up fees can range from about $420,000 to $980,000, making it one of the lower-cost fast food franchise opportunities.

Benefits of Investing in Fast Food Franchises

There is a reason why so many people want to begin their adventure in franchising with a fast food restaurant. These are just a few of the benefits of investing in fast food franchises:

  • Fast food restaurants are some of the most instantly-recognized brands, which means that consumers immediately trust the products and are willing to frequent your location.
  • Food franchises are known for their supportive franchise structures, in which franchisees receive extensive training, marketing materials, technical support and more.

Checkers & Rally’s is a popular fast food franchise for those who are looking to invest beyond the most common and typical fast food franchises. With both a strong national presence and established franchise program, this brand is an easy choice.

Wings Franchise vs. Dessert Franchise: Choosing the Right Food Franchise

Finding the right fast food franchises often boils down to choosing the type of restaurant that you would enjoy yourself. For example, if you are the type of person who enjoys the neighborhood restaurant feel, you might want to consider East Coast Wings & Grill or Chicken Salad Chick franchises. However, if you are more of a dessert person, then you may want to pick a franchise like Bahama Buck’s, which allows you to bring the vacation atmosphere right to your hometown. Choosing a brand that you are passionate about with food that you love will allow you to naturally grow your presence in the local community.

Fast food franchises are a versatile franchise opportunity, because franchise owners often have the ability to set their schedule and create a work-life balance that suits them. With ample training materials, marketing resources and business guides, these franchises are easy to start up and run smoothly from the moment you open the doors. The trick is finding the fast food franchises that complement your personality and allow you to achieve your financial and professional goals.

See all of the top-rated food and beverage franchises here.

Right at Home

Industry: Senior Care

Right at Home franchise serves its clients and community by providing in-home companionship, personal care services, and assistance to seniors and disabled adults who want to continue to live independ…

Investment: $87,569 - $156,944 Cash Required: $150,000
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

Snap-on Tools

Industry: Automotive, Services

Snap-on Tools is a leading global developer, manufacturer, and marketer of high-end tool and equipment solutions for professional tool users. Download the report to learn more about this franchise opp…

Investment: $201,433 - $465,436 Cash Required: $44,121
360 clean employees
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

360clean

360clean is a health-focused office cleaning franchise with high franchisee satisfaction and a flexible business model. Download the report to learn more. 

Investment: $35,800 - $46,500 Cash Required: $40,000