If you ask the average person to name a franchise, then the chances are high that you'll be given the name of one of your local fast food businesses.
These types of restaurants are synonomous with the franchise system, so it is no surprise that potential franchisees want to find out more about the opportunities associated with opening such a company.
The fast food market is full of opportunities for franchisees, with many business owners reaping the rewards of brand awareness and loyalty from customers who've dined at another unit of the franchise.
Who is number 1 fast food chain?The top 10 rankings of Franchise Direct's Top 100 is once again dominated by this type of businss, with McDonald's sitting atop the pile. Other food franchises within the top 10 include KFC, Domino's, Burger King, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Papa John's.
In fact, four of the top five are food franchise (all of them if you include 7-Eleven) and seven of the top ten in our list are restaurants, with the likes of Wendy's, Dunkin' and Subway just missing out.
What is the best food franchise to own?
This is a question often posed by people who are considering becoming restaurant franchisees. However, it doesn't have a simple answer and depends on your own wishes as a franchise owner, with different restaurants offering different options to franchisees.
Of course, many of you will be looking at the franchises listed in our Top 100, such the aforementioned Papa John's, Domino's and McDonalds. However, the initial franchise fees for a business that are more established can be quite expensive in comparison to other franchise restaurants.
There are many great franchise restaurants that are on the cusp of changes in tastes and offer foods that aren't available in your more traditional restaurants. As a potential franchise owner, you may have more interest getting in on the ground floor with one such company as the rewards here can be massive.
Another question you should ask when considering franchise opportunities is if there are available locations in the area you would like to open your business. Many business limit the amount of restaurants they allow in any given locality.
Also, you should look into what the market is like in these locations and if you have or need experience to work with the foods involved in the businesses you are considering.
The market for food franchises changes with the taste and this can be different from location to location and market to market, with some areas more interested in healthy foods, upmarket dining, quick work lunches etc.
One of the most important element of becoming a food franchise owner is having the right level of research done and knowing what you are looking for from your future company.
Here are some of the food franchises we currently have listed to get you started...
Smoothie Factory, Minimum Investment - $376,000
Smoothie Factory is an established, popular, and fast growing international retailer of real fruit smoothies, fresh squeezed juices, authentic frozen yogurt, and healthy lite foods. If you want to open a business that is taking advantage of a more health conscious market, then this could the right company for you.
Jon Smith Subs, Minimum Investment - $200,000
With Jon Smith Subs, you'd be taken advantage of a company with a level of brand loyalty that dates back to 1988. Franchisees don't need to look far to see a solid, unbroken track record of success, and a business successfully expanding in international markets.
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, Minimum Investment - $200,000
This is another restaurant that dates back over 30 years, so franchisees are getting a company that people both know and love. The foods they specialise in here, as you can probaly guess, originate from the Mediterreanean.
However, you don't need to be from that beautiful part of the world to become one of its franchise owners! Franchisees just have to embrace these amazing foods and do what they can to make their business a success!
The Good Place. Minimum Investment - $150,000
This could be the ideal business for franchisees who wants to change the face of the foods industry. The Good Place describes itself as a business that is "refining the food experience!
They aim of the business and thus, any potential franchisees who invest, is to provide "a delicious dining experience for ethical, health-conscious diners."
Ben & Jerry's New Zealand, Minimum Investment - $250,00
To all the doubters out there, yes ice-cream counts as a food and the profits from a business such as Ben & Jerry's can be quite cool too! Ice-Cream franchises have grown in popularity over the past number of years and this is one of the most popular.
If you don't already know (and let's face it, most people already do!) Ben & Jerry’s has over 500 franchise locations globally and is known for its rich, delicious ice cream flavors crammed with chunks and swirls of different flavors.
Are franchises a good investment?
Like all business opportunities, this depends on many things, but it definitely can be for the right people.
Of course, a food franchise can be an excellent opportunity for people who want to get a high return on investment. However, before investing in such a company it is important to do due diligence as you would with all franchise opportunities.
However, if you have the right business, owning one of these restaurants and dealing with people and excellent foods on a daily basis can be a rewarding career move.
Click here to find out more about becoming food franchisees. Our full A-Z can be viewed here...