27 BEST FRANCHISES TO OWN IN 2023: Top US Practices

A company may franchise its goods and brand name to expand its market share or geographic reach at a minimal cost. An alliance between a franchisor and a franchisee is known as a franchise.

The franchisor offers to license its name and idea, and the franchisee buys the right to market and sells the franchisor’s goods and services using a well-known brand and business model.

For entrepreneurs looking to enter a highly competitive industry like fast food, franchises are a common choice. Owning a franchise gives you access to a well-known company’s brand name, which is a significant benefit.

How Does Franchising Work?

Franchise agreements are intricate and unique to each franchisor. A franchise agreement typically specifies three ways the franchisor will be paid. The franchisee must pay the franchisor an up-front fee to get the controlled rights or trademark.

Second, the franchisor frequently gets paid for supplying tools, equipment, or business consulting services. The franchisor also gets regular royalties or a share of the business’s sales.

A franchise agreement is short-term, like renting or leasing a firm. It does not imply that the franchisee owns the company. Franchise agreements can last anywhere from five to thirty years, and if a franchisee breaks them or gets out of them too soon, there can be serious consequences.

What Franchise Is the Most Profitable to Own?

Profitability is one of the most crucial factors in owning the best franchise in 2023, and there are alternatives across a variety of businesses. Here are some lucrative ones:

Anytime Fitness
McDonald’s
UPS Store
Jersey Mike’s Subs
Dunkin’
Sport Clips
7-Eleven
Papa John’s

Even though a franchise’s profitability depends on the business owner’s skills, location, initial investment price, and ongoing costs, there are ways to figure out which franchises are the most profitable. They include;

#1. Examine Prospective Income

Any business you are considering should provide you with a franchise disclosure agreement. This document has a section on average revenue to determine how much franchise owners typically make and over what period.

#2. Consider Your Local Market

Some lucrative franchises only earn considerable money in specific locations. Focus on ideas that local customers will like if you want to start a business in a specific area.

#3. Research Competitors

Competition is another factor that could affect profitability. Consider how saturated a local market is in a specific industry to decide if there is room for a new competitor.

#4. Consider Your Interests and Ambitions

If the company idea fits your interests and aspirations, you’re more likely to put in the necessary effort to make a profit. The brand that offers this option is the one for which those who want a home-based franchise will put in the most effort.

Can You Get Rich Owning a Franchise?

Owning a franchise will not make you wealthy by default. Operating a successful, lucrative franchise will require effort, commitment, and dedication. Undoubtedly, many business owners have achieved what many would term “richness” through franchising.

Still, most of the time, they worked very hard and put a lot of money and emotion into the business to make sure it did well.

Even the most profitable franchises cannot assure each franchisee’s financial success. How the franchise is handled throughout the business, not just the franchise model, makes a franchisee wealthy.

In conclusion, there is no short route to success; prudence, a strong work ethic, and perseverance are the keys to profitability in franchising.

In 2002, Kahn made a franchise investment. He sold his first franchise four years later and acquired nine additional KFC locations. For the purpose of managing his business interests, he founded the remarkable Gastronomy Foods firm, which is currently worth £15 million.

As Amir Kahn has proven, franchise success does not happen by accident. He had big goals for the future, worked hard from an early age, and was committed to the business.

To increase your chances of recording your own franchise success story, you should:

Choose the appropriate franchise
Obey the rules
Possess a strong business plan
Maximize the franchisor’s assistance
Find strategies to develop oneself
Use your advantages
Create a healthy work-life balance.
Assemble a fantastic staff of workers
Promote your company wisely.
Get consumer and staff feedback.

Investing in a successful franchise can help you spread out your investments and bring in more money. The good thing is that a franchise venture combines all the benefits of a large network organization with the freedom and independence of a small firm.

What Is the Number One Franchise?

The quick-service Chick-fil-A restaurant chain is known for its boneless chicken breast sandwiches. It has both free-standing and non-free-standing outlets.

There are restaurants, including mall and in-line units, drive-through-only locations, and unusual places where Chick-fil-A has direct access to the owners or managers of the premises and can run a restaurant business or concession without having to use licensees or prospective licensees (satellite units).

Which Type of Franchise Is Best?

Each franchise variant is distinct and best suited to a specific personality type. If you are a self-starting leader with a proven sales track record, the product distribution plan will likely work best for you.

Conversely, if you value structure and are looking for a situation where you may be in charge, a management or business-style franchise might be ideal for you. The best franchise for you would be the one that fits your interests and needs, but every type of franchise provides the opportunity for a rewarding and flourishing business.

There are franchise opportunities in more than 70 different fields, but the most common ones are in fast food, retail, restaurants, business services, fitness, and other fields.

What Are the 5 Disadvantages of a Franchise?

Although franchising has numerous benefits, it certainly has its drawbacks. Let’s go into further details:

#1. Strict Laws and Regulations

Even though a franchise lets the franchisee be their own boss, they do not have full control over their business and must consider the franchisor’s opinion when making decisions.

Most franchisees find it most annoying that they have to follow the rules set out in the franchise agreement. The bulk of the franchise company and the decisions made by the franchisee are subject to some degree of control by the franchisor.

Depending on the conditions of the franchise agreement, the franchisor may have authority over any of the following aspects of the business:

Business Setting
Operating Times
Holidays
Pricing
Signage
Layout
Decor
Products
Marketing and Advertising
Resale Circumstances

These rules ensure that all franchisees and the brand are the same, but the franchisee may find them annoying and limiting.

#2. Starting Expense

Even though the franchise fee is an initial investment that gives the franchisee many benefits, it may also be expensive, especially if you’re joining a very successful and well-known business.

While this typically leads to increased revenue, it can be difficult for small business owners to find the first investment round. Even if you pick a cheap franchise, you’ll still need to pay a few thousand dollars.

Though this can be considered a drawback of franchising, comparing the initial costs to any possible charges is crucial before deciding which course of action is best for your company. Also, remember that there are ways to finance a franchise that can help you pay for this initial investment.

#3. Constant Expenditure

To start your franchise, you’ll have to pay some money upfront, and franchises also have continuing expenses that keep coming up. The continuing expenses of the business should be listed in the franchise agreement.

These expenses include royalties, marketing expenses, and a price for training services. If you’re considering opening a franchise, keep these recurring costs in mind.

#4. Potential for Conflict

Although the network of support you receive as a franchise owner is one of its advantages, there is also the possibility of dispute. There is always a chance that a tight commercial relationship will fail, especially when there is a power disparity.

Due to the closeness of their business relationship, a franchisor and a franchisee are more likely to clash over issues such as support or personalities.

A franchise agreement outlines what the franchisee and the franchisor should do, but the franchisee has little power to make the franchisor follow the agreement without a costly legal battle. Therefore, the franchisor and franchisee should thoroughly vet each other before getting into an agreement with them.

#5. Insufficient Financial Privacy

Privacy is lost when you franchise, which is another drawback. The franchise agreement will probably say that the franchisor has the right to control the whole financial situation of the franchise.

Although a franchisee may view this loss of financial privacy as a business’s drawback, it might not be a small deal if you value financial advice.

What Is the Cost of a Chick-Fil-a Franchise?

One of the most popular fast-food restaurants in the US, Chick-fil-A has one of the lowest franchise costs of any significant fast-food chain.

According to the 2022 FDD papers, the total cost to open a franchised Chick-fil-A restaurant ranges from $219,055 to $2,912,697. Even though Chick-fil-A is very popular, it costs $10,000 to open a new location. Also, the company told Business Insider that it has no minimum requirement for applicants’ cash assets or net worth.

Even though Chick-fil-A charges a cheap franchise fee, its recurring costs are higher than many competitors and begin to mount from day one.

According to the company’s annual Franchise Disclosure Form, revenues at its 2,325 outlets were $16.7 billion, with most sites making an average of $8.1 million in sales annually. This is an increase from $12.2 billion in 2019. Compared to other major chains, Chick-fil-A restaurants have higher revenue per site. The average annual sales at malls are $3.2 million.

These prices are less expensive than most of the nation’s fast-food establishments, particularly McDonald’s, whose owners view Chick-fil-A as their main rival.

How Much Is a Starbucks Franchise?

Starbucks owns all Starbucks locations worldwide. They don’t officially sell franchises, but you’re not entirely out of luck if you’re considering opening a Starbucks franchise.

Some of the stores are licensed, which is similar to owning a franchise in how it works. Even better, the Starbucks license possibility is rather sizable. As of 2021, 6,497 locations, or over 42% of more than 15,000 Starbucks locations worldwide, had licenses.

A Starbucks store license typically costs $315,000 to get. Also, you’ll need $700,000 in liquid assets to be considered.

What Does a Taco Bell Franchise Cost?

Taco Bell is one of the franchise businesses you can think of owning in 2023. Taco Bell’s initial investment ranges from $525,100 to $2,622,400, plus a franchise fee of up to $20,000.

Initial investments: $525,100 – $2,622,400

Net-worth Requirement: $1,500,000

Liquid Cash Requirement: $750,000