When you think of franchising, the forerunners that come to mind are probably big brands like McDonald’s, Subway, or KFC. But the food industry is huge, and there are plenty of other opportunities out there for enterprising individuals looking to get their feet wet in the franchise world.
Suppose you’re passionate about food and want to be your boss. In that case, a food franchise such as Graze Craze Franchise – catering franchise opportunities can help you avoid many of the common pitfalls associated with starting your own restaurant. With a proven business model to follow and the support of a larger organization, you can hit the ground running and start seeing profitability much sooner than if you were going it alone.
But with so many different food franchises to choose from, you want to narrow your search to find the best option for you. Here are seven of the best food franchise business opportunities to consider in 2022:
Graze Craze Franchise
Initial Franchise Fee: $49,500
Total Investment: $150,000 – $175,000
Initial Investment: $50,000
“Healthy food made fun!” That’s the motto of Graze Craze, a franchise specializing in healthy and delicious grazing boxes perfect for any occasion. With a focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, Graze Craze offers a unique catering experience that is both healthy and delicious.
They have a comprehensive training program to get you started and ongoing support to help you grow your business. The initial investment for a Graze Craze franchise starts at $50,000, while the total investment is between $150,000 and $175,000. The franchise fee is $49,500. You can expect full support from their pro team in marketing, operations, and more.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Cash Requirement: $125,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $30,000
Net Worth Requirement: $350,000
Initial Investment: $277,000 – $584,000
Another food franchise business opportunity that has been booming is Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Since 1997, this franchise has been dishing up delicious smoothies, wraps, sandwiches, salads, and flatbreads. With 1,087 units as of 2022 and a 38.6% growth over the last three years, this is a franchise to watch.
The initial investment for a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise starts at $277,000 and goes up to $584,000. The franchise fee is $30,000, and the royalty fee is 6%. Veteran incentives are available, such as 50% off the first-store franchise fee and $5,000 off the franchise fee for additional stores.
Smoothie King
Cash Requirement: $100,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $15,000 – $30,000
Net Worth Requirement: $300,000
Initial Investment: $268,900 – $858,900
Smoothie King is one of those high-performance franchises that’s been on a serious growth tear as of late. The company has more than 1,000 locations nationwide and plans to continue expanding. What’s driving this growth?
For starters, the health and wellness trend is benefiting Smoothie King in a big way. More and more people are looking for ways to improve their health, and Smoothie King’s menu of health-conscious smoothies and snacks fits the bill perfectly.
In addition, Smoothie King is a great franchise opportunity for entrepreneurs looking for a high-performance business model with a proven track record of success. The company has been franchising since 1988 and has a strong track record of helping its franchisees succeed.
They require a $300,000 net worth and $100,000 in liquid capital but offer veterans a 20% discount on the franchise fee. The total initial investment ranges from $268,900 to $858,900. Royalties are 6% of gross sales, with a 3% ad royalty fee. The term of the agreement is ten years, and it is renewable.
Jersey Mike’s Subs
Cash Requirement: $100,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $18,500
Net Worth Requirement: $300,000
Initial Investment: $144,668 – $786,233
Founded in 1956, Jersey Mike’s now has over 1,973 locations across the United States. The sandwich shop is best known for its submarine sandwiches made with fresh-sliced meats, cheeses, and vegetables.
The company is committed to giving back to the community, and it has been named one of the ‘100 Best Corporate Citizens’ by Corporate Responsibility Magazine. Jersey Mike’s was also recently ranked the ‘fastest-growing restaurant chain in the U.S.’ by Technomic.
With a growth of 37.9% over three years, it’s clear that Jersey Mike’s is a food franchise opportunity with plenty of potentials.
Culver’s
Cash Requirement: $500,000 – $750,000
Initial Investment: $2,301,000 – $5,788,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $55,000
Net Worth Requirement: $1,250,000
Culver’s might be the right food franchise for you if you’re into the frozen custard and specialty burgers business. The franchisor requires a minimum liquid asset of $500,000 to $750,000 and a net worth of $1.25 million. Franchisees can expect to pay an initial investment of between $2.3 million and $5.79 million.
It’s probably one of the most expensive food franchises on this list, but with that high price tag comes many perks. For one, the company is one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the United States. Multiple publications, including Entrepreneur magazine, have consistently ranked it as one of the top franchise opportunities.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
Cash Requirement: $500,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $50,000
Net Worth Requirement: $1,000,000
Initial Investment: $383,500 – $3,545,800
From fried chicken and seafood to biscuits, there’s something for everyone at Popeyes. This is one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains, with over 3,102 locations globally. For those who are looking for an affordable food franchise business opportunity, Popeyes is worth considering.
With the initial investment starting at just $384,000, this is a relatively low-cost franchise opportunity. Additionally, Popeyes has seen significant growth over the past few years, with sales increasing by 19.4% over the last three years. Today, they have over 3,575 units globally, which is only expected to grow in the coming years.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is worth considering if you’re looking for a food franchise business opportunity that offers affordable start-up costs and strong growth potential.
Taco Bell
Cash Requirement: $750,000
Initial Investment: $575,600 – $3,370,100
Initial Franchise Fee: $25,000 – $45,000
Net Worth Requirement: $1,500,000
Last but not least, we have Taco Bell. The fast-food chain offers Mexican-inspired food such as tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. It’s one of the most popular fast-food chains in the world, with over 7,567 locations globally. They have seen a growth of 9.6% over three years. That means that there’s still room for more Taco Bells! If you’re looking to get into the food franchise business, this could be a great option for you.
Taco Bell is a great franchise option because it has a low initial investment and a franchise fee. The company also offers support to its franchisees, such as access to their point-of-sale propriety system and marketing resources. And even though the agreement is not renewable, the term is ten years which is relatively long compared to other food franchises.
So, those are 7 of the best food franchise business opportunities out there. If you’re looking to get into the food franchising business, any of these options would be a great choice. Choose the one that best aligns with your interests, skills, and budget, and you’ll be well on your way to success.