10 Best Restaurant Franchises 2018

1. Chester’s

Total Initial Investment: $12,000 – $296,600
No. Existing Locations: 1,020
Royalty Fees: 0%
Agreement Length: 5 years

Chester’s is a chicken restaurant that serves different food options including fried chicken cooked in a variety of styles and flavors, biscuits, sandwiches, salads, wraps, and cookies. They pride themselves on having a family secret recipe and process that’s been successful for over 50 years.They have locations in college campuses, airports, convenience stores, truck stops and supermarkets.

Chester’s has been in business since 1952 and started franchising in 2004. They currently have over 1,000 franchises nationwide. If you want to become a Chester’s franchisee, you need an initial upfront investment between $12,000 to $296,600. Their contract agreement length is 5 years and they do not have a royalty fee or ad fee.

2. Dunkin Donuts

Total Initial Investment: $95,200 – $1,691,200
No. Existing Locations: 7,563
Royalty Fees: 5.9%
Agreement Length: 20 years

Dunkin Donuts is a popular donut and coffee franchise known worldwide. Their vision is to deliver high-quality food and beverages quickly, affordably and conveniently in a welcoming environment. They serve donuts of various flavors, sandwiches, coffee, and juices. They also partner with other prominent and respected brands, including Coca-Cola, JetBlue, Smucker’s, and Keurig to broaden their reach and recognition.

Dunkin Donuts was launched in 1950 and started franchising in 1955. They currently have over 7,500 franchise locations nationwide and over 3,000 units outside the US. An initial upfront investment of $95,200 to $1,691,200 is required to start a Dunkin Donuts franchise. Their ongoing fees include a royalty fee of 5.9% and ad fee of 5%. Their contract agreement length is 20 years.

3. Firehouse Subs

Total Initial Investment: $94,783 – $1,006,366

No. Existing Locations: 1,005
Royalty Fees: 6%
Agreement Length: 10 years

Firehouse Subs serves a variety of sub sandwiches and salads. Firehouse Subs is known for serving the best meats, cheeses, and toppings for their sandwiches. They prepare their subs by steaming the meats and cheeses to release a rush of flavors. These are the main ingredients for their toasted private-recipe sub rolls.

Firehouse Subs was founded in 1994 and started franchising in 1995. They currently have over 1,000 franchise locations nationwide. A total initial upfront investment range of $94,783 to $1,006,366 is required to become a Firehouse Subs franchisee. Their ongoing fees include a 6% royalty fee and 1% ad fee. Their initial contract length is 10 years, while their renewal term is 5 years.

4. Fuzzy’s Taco Shop

Total Initial Investment: $597,000 – $1,262,000
No. Existing Locations: 100
Royalty Fees: 5%
Agreement Length: 10 years

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop serves Baja-style Mexican food such as tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, grilled sandwiches, salads, and breakfast dishes. Their website promotes placing orders online so customers can skip the line. They have an app where customers can use to make online orders and earn points which they can exchange for free food.

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop was launched in 2003 and started franchising in 2009. They currently have around 100 franchise units available nationwide. If you want to start a Fuzzy’s Taco Shop franchise, you’ll need an upfront investment between $597,000 and $1,262,000. Their contract agreement length is 10 years and their ongoing fees include a 5% royalty fee and 2% ad fee.

5. Jimmy John’s

Total Initial Investment: $329,500 – $557,500
No. Existing Locations: 2,584
Royalty Fees: 6%
Agreement Length: 10 years

Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches include sub sandwiches, giant club sandwiches, and their famous gargantuan sandwich. They pride themselves on serving sandwiches made from all-natural, freshly sliced meat. They also serve chips and cookies and accept bulk orders through their catering services. Their website allows their customers to order online either for delivery or for pickup.

Jimmy John’s has been in business since 1983 and started franchising in 1993. You need an initial upfront investment between $329,500 and $557,500 if you want to become a franchisee. They currently have over 2,500 franchise locations throughout the United States. Their ongoing fees include a royalty fee of 6% and an ad fee of 4.5%. Their contract term is 10 years.

6. Little Caesars

Total Initial Investment: $334,000 – $1,370,500
No. Existing Locations: 3,809
Royalty Fees: 6%
Agreement Length: 10 years

Little Caesars is a pizza chain that prides themselves on using fresh – not frozen – mozzarella and muenster cheese. They offer a variety of pizza flavors and also serve side dishes such as Italian cheese bread and buffalo wings. During almost 6 decades in business, they have expanded their franchise units both all across the US and around the world.

Little Caesars was founded in 1959 and started franchising in 1962. They currently have over 3,800 franchises nationwide. If you want to start a Little Caesars franchise, you need an initial upfront investment of $334,000 to $1,370,500. Their contract agreement term is 10 years, and ongoing fees include a 6% royalty fee and 7% ad fee.

7. Pie Five Pizza Co.

Total Initial Investment: $456,000 – $624,000
No. Existing Locations: 30
Royalty Fees: 6%
Agreement Length: 10 years

Pie Five Pizza Co. serves different types of pizzas. They also have a self-serve pizza where customers can craft their own pizza and mix and match different sauces and toppings. They also serve salads, breadsticks, and desserts. They have a mobile app where customers can place their orders online while earning rewards that can be exchanged for a free pizza.

Pie Five Pizza Co. was founded in 2011 and opened their first franchise location in 2012. They now have around 30 franchise units nationwide. A total upfront investment between $456,000 and $624,000 is required to become a Pie Five Pizza Co. franchisee. Their ongoing fees include a royalty fee of 6% and an ad fee of 2%. Their initial contract term is 10 years while the renewal term is 5 years.

8. Smoke’s Poutinerie

Total Initial Investment: $311,150 – $504,950
No. Existing Locations: 5
Royalty Fees: 6%
Agreement Length: 10 years

Smoke’s Poutinerie offers a broad menu exclusive to Poutine, a dish originating from the Canadian province of Quebec. Their goal is to bring the authentic Quebec classic to other nations around the world. Their menu includes a variety of poutine flavors with toppings such as meat, veggies, and sauce. They pride themselves on serving poutine menus made from fresh hand-cut fries, cheese curd, and their signature gravy.

Smoke’s Poutinerie was founded in 2008 and started franchising in the same year. They currently have 5 franchise units within the US and over 100 franchises outside the US. If you want to become a franchisee, you need an initial upfront investment of $311,150 to $504,950. Their initial contract term is 10 years and the renewal term is 5 years. There is a royalty fee of 6% and an ad fee of 2%.

9. Snow Fox

Total Initial Investment: $5,068 – $324,695
No. Existing Locations: 549
Royalty Fees: 10%
Agreement Length: 3 years

Snow Fox operates sushi bars in supermarkets, grocery stores, university, and corporate settings. Their retail partners include Kroger, Fry’s Food and Drug, King Soopers, Smith’s, Fresh Market, and Albertsons. They serve freshly made sushi with the same quality and appeal of upscale restaurants but ready on-the-go.

Snow Fox has been in business since 2005 and started franchising in 2013. They currently have over 500 franchise locations nationwide. An initial upfront investment range of $5,068 to $324,695 is required if you want to start a Snow Fox franchise. Their contract agreement term is 3 years. There is a royalty fee of 10% but no ad fee.

10. Wendy’s

Total Initial Investment: $292,500 – $3,644,000
No. Existing Locations: 5,409
Royalty Fees: 4%
Agreement Length: 20 years

Wendy’s is known globally for their burgers, chicken, and wraps. They also serve fresh-made salads, cookies, and frosty. They pride themselves on serving fresh food and making their customers feel at home. They are among the few time-tested restaurant franchises, launching different additions to their menus in over 4 decades and grew to over 5,000 franchise units available.

Wendy’s has been established in 1969 and started franchising in 1971. If you want to become a Wendy’s franchisee, you need an initial upfront investment of $292,500 to $3,644,000. Their initial contract agreement term is 20 years, while the renewal term is 10 years. Their ongoing fees include a royalty fee of 4% and an ad fee of 3.5%.