A strong focus on company culture scored big with operators.
After surveying more than 4,300 franchisees from almost 100 foodservice brands and analyzing 18 months of data, Franchise Business Review has named the Top 40 Food and Beverage Franchises for franchisee satisfaction.
Every segment of the restaurant market was represented, from pizza and burgers to ice cream and soup. Though many of the biggest brands in the industry have made the list, like McDonald's and Subway, smaller chains, such as Lenny's Subs and East Coast Wings & Grill, were also strong players due to intense focus on company cultures.
These are the year's Top 40 franchisees in alphabetical order:
Bahama Buck's- Startup Investment: $223,346 – $720,825
- Cash Requirement: $90,000
- Total Units: 89
Biggby Coffee- Startup Investment: $220,000
- Cash Requirement: $70,000
- Total Units: 254
Billy Sims Barbecue- Startup Investment: $169,000 – $433,000
- Cash Requirement: $60,000
- Total Units: 59
Buffalo Wings & Rings- Startup Investment: $1,224,000 – $3,085,000
- Cash Requirement: $300,000
- Total Units: 57
Captain D's- Startup Investment: $771,000 – $1,003,000
- Cash Requirement: $350,000
- Total Units: 522
Checkers & Rally's- Startup Investment: $96,414 – $1,501,265
- Cash Requirement: $250,000
- Total Units: 855
Dick's Wings & Grill- Startup Investment: $237,500 – $772,500
- Cash Requirement: $100,000
- Total Units: 23
Donatos Pizza- Startup Investment: $449,000 – $667,000
- Cash Requirement: $449,000 – $667,000
- Total Units: 152
East Coast Wings & Grill- Startup Investment: $658,875 – $1,133,502
- Cash Requirement: $250,000
- Total Units: 35
Fazoli's Restaurants- Startup Investment: $883,000 – $1,399,000
- Cash Requirement: $250,000
- Total Units: 334
Fuzzy's Taco Shop- Startup Investment: $335,000 – $1,035,000
- Cash Requirement: $250,000
- Total Units: 112
Golden Corral Buffet & Grill- Startup Investment: $2,120,644 – $6,170,713
- Cash Requirement: $500,000
- Total Units: 482
Ground Round Grill & Bar- Startup Investment: $450,000 – $2,200,000
- Cash Requirement: $350,000
- Total Units: 27
Happy & Healthy Products, Inc.- Startup Investment: $45,000 – $90,000
- Cash Requirement: $45,000 – $90,000
- Total Units: 65
Hungry Howie's Pizza- Startup Investment: $251,375 – $495,850
- Cash Requirement: $100,000
- Total Units: 548
Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries
Hwy 55 scored high with franchisees. It's no secret why the brand is rapidly growing.
Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries- Startup Investment: $191,255 – $385,155
- Cash Requirement: $125,000
- Total Units: 137
Jamba Juice- Startup Investment: $201,000 – $619,300
- Cash Requirement: $350,000
- Total Units: 953
Jason’s Deli- Startup Investment: $905,891
- Cash Requirement: $905,891
- Total Units: 261
Kona Ice- Startup Investment: $120,225 – $143,025
- Cash Requirement: $20,000
- Total Units: 941
LaRosa’s Pizzeria- Startup Investment: $800,000 – $1,000,000
- Cash Requirement: $500,000
- Total Units: 66
Lenny’s Sub Shop- Startup Investment: $188,216 – $396,146
- Cash Requirement: $75,000
- Total Units: 96
Marco’s Pizza- Investment Level: $222,830 – $436,830 limited seating
- Financial Requirements: $100,000 in capital and $350,000 in assets to be preapproved
- Total Units: 854
Mooyah Burgers & Fries- Startup Investment: $412,750 – $620,000
- Cash Requirement: $250,000
- Total Units: 98
Nothing Bundt Cakes- Startup Investment: $392,875 – $545,475
- Cash Requirement: $150,000
- Total Units: 168
Penn Station- Startup Investment: $293,102 – $593,027
- Cash Requirement: $300,000
- Total Units: 310
Pizza Factory- Startup Investment: $156,000 – $643,500
- Cash Requirement: $90,000
- Total Units: 109
Planet Sub- Startup Investment: $182,500 – $402,000
- Cash Requirement: $100,000
- Total Units: 58
Scooter’s Coffee- Startup Investment: $334,000 – $514,000
- Cash Requirement: $100,000
- Total Units: 167
Smoothie King- Startup Investment: $225,650 – $426,185
- Cash Requirement: $100,000
- Total Units: 907
The Häagen-Dazs Company- Startup Investment: $154,158 – $542,408
- Cash Requirement: $154,158 – $542,408
- Total Units: 206
The Honeybaked Ham Co. and Cafe- Startup Investment: $299,200 – $468,200
- Cash Requirement: $100,000
- Total Units: 405
The Wendy’s Company- Startup Investment: $300,000 – $3,000,000
- Cash Requirement: $2,000,000
- Total Units: 6,564
Toppers Pizza- Startup Investment: $291,666 – $527,152
- Cash Requirement: $150,000
- Total Units: 99
Tropical Smoothie Cafe- Startup Investment: $198,050 – $478,550
- Cash Requirement: $125,000
- Total Units: 541
Uno Chicago Grill- Startup Investment: $736,000 – $1,850,500
- Cash Requirement: $750,000
- Total Units: 196
Wings Etc.- Startup Investment: $300,000 – $780,000
- Cash Requirement: $300,000 – $780,000
- Total Units: 40
Wingstop- Startup Investment: $346,775 – $733,249
- Required net worth $1,200,000; $600,000 liquid
- Total Units: 1,056—21 are corporate-owned stores, and the rest are franchise
Zaxby’s- Startup Investment: $352,000 – $664,300
- Cash Requirement: $300,000
- Total Units: 946
Zoup!- Startup Investment: $321,400 – $609,400
- Cash Requirement: $321,400 – $609,400
- Total Units: 87
