Stamford Advocate: The Top 200 Food and Restaurant Franchises of 2018

View full article here 

 

In the franchising world, food still reigns supreme. Almost a quarter of the 1,023 companies that applied for this year’s Franchise 500 were food-based franchises, and half of the companies that ranked in the top 10 were quick-service restaurants. Some of the oldest and largest franchises in the world are food-based, and new ones arrive on the scene every year, ready to capitalize on the latest trends, like build-your-own pizza and poke bowls.

That said, food franchises can be some of the most challenging to build -- with higher capital costs and more complicated operations than many other industries. But they can also be some of the most rewarding. They’re particularly popular with franchisees interested in multi-unit ownership. So, if you’ve got a taste for food-based franchises -- whether it’s one unit or 100 -- start with our list of the top 200. You’ll find them on the following pages, ranked within their respective categories (such as coffee, hamburgers and Mexican food).

These rankings are based on the score each company received when evaluated by our Franchise 500® formula, which considers more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength and financial strength and stability. But please understand, our list is not intended as a recommendation of any particular company. It’s vital that you do your own research to find the franchise that’s right for you (and that means more than just trying the food). Read the company’s legal documents, consult with an attorney and an accountant, and talk to existing and former franchisees.

Miscellaneous Quick Service

#2 Dickey's Barbecue Pit
Startup cost: $289.9K - $421.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 549/5