If you’re considering entrepreneurship through franchising, the food industry remains one of the most reliable entry points. As the market stabilizes and demand for fast, convenient, and trusted food options grows, franchise ownership continues to offer a clear, scalable path to business growth, with fewer unknowns than starting from the ground up.
Think of it like building on a foundation that’s already been poured. The branding, systems, and support structures are already in place, giving you a head start and reducing the most common risks tied to failure.
That said, finding the right fit is critical. With so many options available, the real challenge is identifying which opportunities best align with your goals, experience level, and risk tolerance.
The best food franchises to own in 2025 offer the right balance of financial fit, potential profitability, operational simplicity, brand recognition, and manageable overhead.
To help guide that decision, we’ve organized this list by common ownership profiles. Whether you’re a first-time owner, seeking high-profit potential, or looking for a low-maintenance operation, you’ll find targeted options that reflect your priorities.
Best Food Franchises for First-Time Owners
| Best Food Franchises for First-Time Owners Compared | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chick-fil-A | Subway | Firehouse Subs | |
| Initial Investment Range | $265K–$2.3M | $229K–$552K | $400K–$500K |
| Franchise Fee | $10K | $15K | $20K |
| Support & Training | Extensive training; high franchisor involvement; 160 hours of classroom instruction. | Standardized training with flexible guidance, less oversight from corporate. | Robust onboarding and continued franchisee support. |
| Brand Recognition | Extremely high; nationwide recognition. | Extremely high; globally recognized brand. | High; growing national presence. |
| Operational Simplicity | Requires full-time, hands-on management; franchisor controls significant decisions. | Very high autonomy; streamlined menu, simple operations, but greater owner responsibility. | Streamlined menu; straightforward staffing. |
| Ideal For | Hands-on operators seeking high-volume success with strong brand backing. | First-time owners who want flexibility, brand recognition, and operational agency. | New owners seeking structured support and branding in a fast-casual setting. |
Chick-fil-A
Known for its unmatched brand recognition and comprehensive training, Chick-fil-A is ideal for first-time owners who want a high-volume business with built-in systems. While franchisees must be fully hands-on and undergo a competitive selection process, Chick-fil-A’s heavy control over real estate, supply chain, and operations means owners have fewer responsibilities in those areas—making it more manageable, though less autonomous.
However, Chick-fil-A does have a highly selective process, accepting only about 0.25% of applicants annually.
Subway
Subway is a globally recognized brand with a simple menu and affordable startup costs. It’s also one of the most accessible and flexible food franchises, especially for new owners who want more agency over their operations. Subway offers a low entry barrier, broader autonomy in day-to-day decisions, and a non-intrusive application process. While franchisees can expect to carry more responsibility, they also have more room to make the business their own.
Firehouse Subs
Firehouse Subs is great for new owners looking for a balance between independence and guidance. Think somewhere between Subway and Chick-fil-A. It has a streamlined menu and a robust onboarding program to help ease the transition into business ownership, all wrapped up in a franchise with growing national recognition.
Food Franchises with the Highest Profit Potential
| Food Franchises with the Highest Profit Potential Compared | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonald’s | Culver’s | Checkers & Rally’s | |
| Initial Investment Range | $1.0M–$2.3M | $2.81M–$6.87M | $169K–$2.1M |
| Franchise Fee | $45K | $55K | $20K–$30K |
| Average Unit Volume (AUV) | ~$3.5M | ~$3.3M | ~$1.02M |
| Estimated Owner Profit | ~$150K/year | ~$429K/year | ~$132K/year |
| Support & Training | Comprehensive training; ongoing support in operations and marketing. | 16-week training program; extensive ongoing support. | In-depth onboarding; ongoing operational support. |
| Brand Recognition | Extremely high; global brand recognition. | High; strong presence in the Midwest and expanding nationally. | Moderate; strong regional presence with growth potential. |
| Ideal For | Experienced operators seeking a globally recognized brand with consistent profitability. | Investors seeking high returns with a focus on quality and community involvement. | Entrepreneurs seeking a lower-cost entry with solid profit potential and operational flexibility. |
McDonald’s
McDonald’s is an excellent choice for franchisees seeking maximum profits because it offers them a globally recognized brand with consistent profitability potential. However, it does require a significant initial investment and hands-on management.
Culver’s
Similarly, Culver’s requires a higher initial investment than many other franchises. However, this investment allows franchisees to manage a highly respected and beloved restaurant brand with the potential for substantial returns.
Checkers & Rally’s
Checkers and Rally’s locations present a profitable opportunity with a much more affordable entry point. They are perfect for those seeking operational flexibility but perhaps unwilling to put forth as much capital as other options.
Best Food Franchises with Low Startup Costs
| Food Franchises with Low Startup Costs Compared | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Kona Ice | Pizza Factory | Cinnaholic | |
| Initial Investment Range | $167K–$212K | $274K–$630K | $187K–$368K |
| Franchise Fee | $15K | $20K ($19K for veterans) | $40K |
| Overhead Requirements | Low – mobile-based, no storefront | Low – restaurant space, kitchen equipment | Small team – counter service only |
| Staffing Needs | Minimal – solo or small team | Moderate – cooks, servers, delivery staff | Small team – counter service only |
| Support & Training | Comprehensive training; ongoing support in operations and marketing | Comprehensive training program; extensive ongoing support | In-depth onboarding; ongoing operational support |
| Brand Recognition | Moderate; strong presence in community events | Moderate; strong presence in the western US | Moderate; trendy vegan-friendly dessert brand |
| Ideal For | Community-focused entrepreneurs seeking flexible schedules | Local operators wanting a neighborhood dining brand | Owners drawn to vegan-friendly dessert concepts with a trendy appeal |
Kona Ice
Kona Ice locations offer a mobile franchise model with a very low overhead business model compared to others. This makes it ideal for community events, seasonal operations, and those who don’t want to manage a franchise year-round.
Pizza Factory
Franchisees seeking a traditional restaurant model with strong community ties, low overhead, and flexible store formats may find Pizza Factory a compelling option.
Cinnaholic
Cinnaholic delivers a distinctive, vegan-friendly dessert concept with a small operational footprint and rising brand recognition, making it an attractive choice for entrepreneurs seeking a modern, scalable franchise in the dessert space.
Fastest-Growing Food Franchises
| Fastest-Growing Food Franchises Compared | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dave’s Hot Chicken | Crumbl Cookies | 7 Brew Coffee | |
| Initial Investment Range | $619K–$1.96M | $368K–$1.4M | $890K–$1.93M |
| Franchise Fee | $40K | $25K | $35K |
| Growth Trajectory | 2 to 200+ units (2019–2025); aims for 1,000+ by EOY 2025 | 1 to 600+ units (2017–2023); aggressive national expansion | 300+ units (2024); targets 2,000+ locations |
| Market Appeal | Spicy fast-casual; influencer buzz; celeb endorsements | Rotating cookie menu; Gen Z appeal; viral marketing | Drive-thru model; 20K+ drink combos; youth-friendly |
| Brand Recognition | Rapid rise via social and influencer traction | High among younger audiences; loyal fanbase | Strong in South/Midwest; breakout national brand |
| Ideal For | Experienced operators eyeing high-growth trends | Entrepreneurs wanting a trendy, scalable dessert concept | Hands-on owners passionate about coffee culture |
Dave’s Hot Chicken
Hot chicken has surged in popularity recently, and Dave’s Hot Chicken has emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries. With strong momentum in the fast-casual segment, it presents a high-growth opportunity, particularly well-suited for seasoned operators looking to capitalize on rapid industry expansion.
Crumbl Cookies
Crumbl Cookies has surged in popularity in recent years, fueled partly by social media influencers and viral marketing. The brand offers a trendy, scalable dessert concept with strong momentum, making it an appealing option for entrepreneurs looking to capitalize on a buzz-worthy brand with a relatively low investment threshold.
7 Brew Coffee
Known for its upbeat drive-thru experience and a staggering menu of customizable drinks, 7 Brew Coffee is rapidly becoming a national standout. With a focus on speed, energy, and community engagement, it’s an appealing opportunity for franchisees looking to build with a high-growth, customer-obsessed brand.
Lowest Maintenance Food Franchises
| Lowest Maintenance Food Franchises Compared | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Kona Ice | Jersey Mike’s Subs | Auntie Anne’s | |
| Initial Investment Range | $167K–$212K | $368K–$1.4M | $150K–$500K |
| Franchise Fee | $15K | $18.5K | $35K |
| Overhead Requirements | Low – mobile-based, no storefront | Moderate – restaurant space, kitchen equipment | Low to moderate – small footprint, limited equipment |
| Staffing Needs | Minimal – solo or small team | Moderate – cooks, servers, delivery staff | Small team – counter service only |
| Operational Simplicity | High – limited menu, seasonal schedule | Moderate – full-service sandwich restaurant with dine-in/takeout | High – niche bakery with focused product line |
| Ideal For | Experienced multi-unit operators with seasonal schedules | Franchisees seeking strong brand recognition and repeat traffic | Owners drawn to simple prep, small spaces, and high-foot-traffic locations |
Kona Ice
While Kona Ice is known for its low startup costs, it also appeals to franchisees looking for a lower-maintenance opportunity. Its mobile model is perfect for operating at community events, fairs, and during peak seasonal months, without the pressure of managing a year-round business.
Jersey Mike’s Subs
Jersey Mike’s is a strong choice for franchisees seeking a lower-maintenance opportunity. With a straightforward menu, limited ingredient requirements, and efficient operations, it offers a manageable path to ownership without the complexity of a full-service kitchen—ideal for those looking for a simpler, more streamlined franchise model.
Auntie Anne’s
Auntie Anne’s is a great option for franchisees seeking a lower-maintenance food concept. With a simple menu, minimal equipment needs, and efficient prep processes, it’s an accessible entry point into franchising—especially in high-traffic locations like malls, airports, and stadiums with strong grab-and-go demand.
Choosing the right food franchise can be overwhelming, but Franchise Ventures makes it easier. We help you identify your goals, understand your needs, and connect you with the best franchise opportunities to match.
Launch Smarter and Grow Faster with Franchise Ventures
Franchise Ventures has been helping aspiring business owners find the right franchise for over 25 years. As the industry’s leading franchise discovery platform, we connect qualified prospects with franchise development professionals using a data-driven, proven matching process.
Knowing the best food franchises to own is only step one. The real value lies in finding the opportunity that fits your goals, experience, and investment level—and that’s where we come in.
We don’t just send you opportunities—we connect you with the right franchise fit. Every brand in our network is carefully vetted to match your goals, investment range, and location preferences. Our proprietary matching system ensures you’re only shown franchises that align with your criteria—no cold calls, no dead ends. With custom filters and real-time updates, you stay in control of your search from day one.
The results speak for themselves.
Skip the guesswork. With access to hundreds of vetted brands and over 25+ years of helping entrepreneurs find the right fit, Franchise Ventures is the most efficient way to turn interest into ownership.
