If you’re looking to break into franchise ownership or expand an existing portfolio, food franchises are a smart place to start, especially when the upfront investment is lower. In fact, some of the best food franchises under $100K offer real opportunities without the steep financial barrier.
That said, long-term success depends on more than affordability. Before making any commitments, you’ll want to weigh factors like revenue potential, day-to-day operations, and overall support.
To make things easier, we’ve sifted through hundreds of brands to highlight the best food franchises under $100K, so you can find a solid opportunity that fits your budget and business goals.
Disclaimer: The information presented is based on the most recent Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) we were able to access at the time of writing. In some cases, this may not reflect the latest available version filed by the franchisor. Where applicable, data has been summarized or approximated to represent average gross sales for comparison purposes. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and transparency.
Best Food Franchises Under $100K
Before exploring the best food franchises under $100K, it’s important to understand what that really means. While these opportunities require less than $100K in liquid capital to get started, the total startup costs (such as equipment, marketing, and working capital) may exceed that amount.
However, most franchisees don’t pay the full cost upfront and instead finance the portion of the investment needed to make ownership more accessible.
Best Food Franchises Under $100K
| Franchise | Startup Costs (est.) | Franchise Fee | Training Provided | Incentives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hissho Sushi (non-traditional) | $26,849–$136,829 | $7,500 | 15 days in Charlotte, NC; includes 50 hrs hands-on training plus operations, safety, and marketing. | None listed |
| Ben’s Soft Pretzels | $98,000–$241,000 | $30,000 | 24 hrs online + 5-day in-person in IN; covers setup, service, and operations. | 50% off franchise fee for veterans |
| Frios Gourmet Pops | $71,615–$90,654 | $37,500 | Online modules + 1 week in-person (12 hrs classroom, 2 hrs hands-on). | 10% off franchise fee for veterans |
| Alsies Ice Cream | $84,004–$173,500 | $47,000 | Virtual training followed by 3-day in-person training at a corporate office | 5% off initial franchise fee for veterans |
| Aww Shucks Gourmet Fire Roasted Corn | $68,950–$163,500 | $25,000 | 80 hrs of hands-on training covering | None listed |
| Enjoy Your Party | $69,800–$107,375 | $15,000 | Comprehensive operations, logistics, service, and marketing training | 5% off initial franchise fee for veterans |
Hissho Sushi
Hissho Sushi offers a turnkey opportunity for franchisees to own a sushi and Asian food bar franchise in high-traffic retail environments such as universities. With no need for a traditional storefront and the ability to run operations inside established venues, it’s a great fit for owner-operators or semi-absentee owners.
While no formal incentives are currently listed, the model’s lower entry point and built-in customer base present a strong appeal.
Franchisees complete a 15-day training program in Charlotte, NC, covering operations, logistics, food safety, marketing, and finance, with 50 hours of hands-on sushi bar training. Additional sushi chef training and ServSafe® certification may be required. Experienced culinary and franchise professionals lead training.
Risk profile: Moderate. Operating inside host locations means success is partially dependent on foot traffic and the terms of venue partnership.
Ben’s Soft Pretzels
Ben’s Soft Pretzels offers a budget-friendly franchise model centered around hand-rolled, Amish-inspired soft pretzels. They provide options for standalone stores, but budget-savvy franchisees should consider their mall kiosks, mobile trailers, and co-locations in retailers like Walmart and Meijer.
It’s a solid choice for first-time franchisees or multi-unit operators who want to diversify with a low investment threshold and wide-format flexibility.
Franchisees complete a two-part training program in Goshen, IN. They start with 24 hours of virtual and classroom instruction on topics like signage, budgeting, and vendor setup, followed by five days of in-person training. Training consists of 15 classroom hours and 28 hours of hands-on experience, led by the company founders, covering store management, customer service, and product knowledge.
Risk profile: Low to moderate. The model’s affordability and flexible formats reduce financial exposure, though performance can vary based on location type and foot traffic.
Frios Gourmet Pops
This franchise runs a simple, mobile setup; selling hand-crafted popsicles from retrofitted “Sweet Ride” vans. It’s built for low overhead and easy day-to-day upkeep, making it a solid pick for owner-operators, folks looking for a side business, or anyone easing into food franchising without much upfront risk.
With total startup costs coming in comfortably under $100K, it’s a practical entry point for those interested in local events, catering gigs, or community-based vending without the hassle of real estate or high payroll.
Training is straightforward. You start with online modules and spend about a week on-site at one of their training hubs, either in Pittsburgh or Fort Worth. Expect 12 hours of classroom time focused on the business side (marketing, inventory, customer service), plus 2 hours of hands-on training with the Sweet Ride van itself. The sessions are run by folks who’ve been in the system and know the model inside and out.
Risk profile: Low, with lower investment than other good options, a mobile format, and an absence of fixed real estate that limits financial exposure.
Alsies Ice Cream
Alsies Ice Cream brings a modern twist to the nostalgic ice cream truck experience, offering both gourmet and pre-packaged treats from tech-enabled trucks. This mobile model is perfect for franchisees looking for a low-cost, high-flexibility business.
Total startup costs range from $84,004 to $173,500, and a franchise fee of $47,000. Alsies offers a scalable model with real-time tracking, app-based route planning, and curated product offerings.
Franchisees receive comprehensive training with a strong focus on the tech tools, customer experience, and route strategy that is core to success.
Risk profile: Low to moderate. The mobile format and data-driven approach reduce overhead and boost route efficiency, but local engagement and seasonal factors may impact success.
Aww Shucks Fire Roasted Street Corn
Aww Shucks delivers a unique concept in the mobile food scene, gourmet fire-roasted corn with bold flavors. With startup costs ranging from $68,950 to $163,500, it offers franchisees access to both mobile-based and brick-and-mortar models, allowing them to scale based on their market and goals.
Franchisees undergo an 80-hour training program that covers compliance, customer service, food prep, marketing, and operations.
Risk profile: Low to moderate. The mobile model option keeps overhead low and provides flexibility, but success will depend highly on event access and community visibility.
Enjoy Your Party
Enjoy Your Party is a mobile staffing franchise that specializes in food service. With a focus on supplying trained service staff for events, it’s a good potential franchise fit for franchisees with hospitality or restaurant management backgrounds.
Startup costs range from $69,800 to $107,375, with a franchise fee of $15,000. Franchisees can expect to receive comprehensive training in staffing logistics, compliance, customer service, and marketing.
Risk profile: Moderate. The model offers steady, recurring demand, but success will depend on smart local hiring, strong client relationships for repeat business, and proactive sales.
What Makes a Food Franchise One of the Best Under $100K
A low price tag is a good start, but if that’s all a franchise has going for it, you might be buying yourself a headache. The best food franchises under $100K don’t just save you money upfront; they give you a real shot at building something solid. Think smart systems, real support, and a model that’s built to last.
Here’s what we look for when separating the good from the truly worthwhile:
- Solid Training and Support: You shouldn’t have to figure it all out alone. The top brands walk you through everything: setup, operations, customer service, and beyond.
- Flexible Formats: Kiosks, food trucks, trailers, co-locations; these setups keep costs down and give you more control over expenses.
- Earning Potential: It’s not all about what you spend. A great franchise shows signs of making money, and data backs this up.
- Incentives for Veterans and First-Time Owners: Discounts help take the sting out of startup costs, especially for those who’ve served or are just getting started.
- Proven Systems: You want playbooks, vendor support, and brand power; something with a track record, not a science experiment.
Every one of the food franchises we picked checks several of these boxes:
- Hissho Sushi: A ready-to-go kiosk model that fits neatly into high-traffic spots. Hands-on training is included, so you’re not going in blind.
- Ben’s Soft Pretzels: Multiple setup options, training straight from the founders, and a 50% discount on the franchise fee for veterans.
- Frios Gourmet Pops: Super low overhead and a mobile model that lets you test the waters at your own pace; great for folks who want to ease in.
- Alsies Ice Cream: A tech-enabled twist on the classic ice cream truck. Mobile-first and community-focused with low overhead and staffing needs.
- Aww Shucks Gourmet Fire Roasted Corn: Flexible trailer and brick-and-mortar concepts with a unique product and low overhead.
- Enjoy Your Party: Food service staffing with growth potential. Low-cost, high-repeat business for successful franchisees with hospitality, restaurant, or event experience.
These are some of the best food franchises under $100K because they make smart business sense, not just budget sense.
Find a Food Franchise That Fits Your Budget and Your Vision
Now that you’ve seen a few of the best food franchises under $100K, it’s time to think about what fits your life and your budget. You don’t need to spend a quarter of a million dollars to get into a strong, proven business model.
That said, not every “affordable” franchise is going to be a good fit. That’s why having guidance you can rely on makes a world of difference.
At Franchise.com, we work with new and experienced franchisees to help sort through the chaff and connect you with food franchise opportunities that make sense, both financially and operationally. Whether you’re looking for something mobile, seasonal, or scalable, we’ll help you evaluate real options that align with your goals.
