16 of the Most Profitable Franchises (2024)

There are many factors to consider when evaluating possible franchise opportunities. Profitability is one of the most important considerations. And there are plenty of options in various industries. Here’s a guide to some of the most profitable franchise businesses across sectors.

Are Franchises Profitable?

A franchise business model can certainly be profitable, but the exact numbers depend on the franchise opportunity. These businesses generally provide proven systems that can increase the chance of profitability. But various factors, from your location to competitors, can impact your earnings.

  • READ MORE: See our Franchise Guide

How Do You Choose a Profitable Franchise?

If you’re thinking of starting your own business, buying into a franchise system may be a profitable option. Here are some ways to evaluate the most profitable franchises:

  • Evaluate startup costs: The lower the startup costs, the faster you should be able to turn a profit. Look into everything from the initial franchise fee to location development costs to determine what each option costs.
  • Dig into potential earnings: Request a franchise disclosure document from any system you’re considering. This document includes a section on average revenue, so you can determine what franchise owners generally earn in what time frame.
  • Consider your local market: Some profitable franchises only earn significant revenue in specific areas. If you want to start a business in a specific geographic area, focus on options that may resonate with local consumers.
  • Research competitors: Competition is another factor that can impact profitability. Consider how saturated the local market for a specific type of business is to determine if there’s room for a new player.
  • Think about your goals and interests: You’re more likely to work hard enough to turn a profit if the business idea aligns with your goals and interests. If you’ve always wanted to start a food business, stick with that niche to stay motivated. Those who want a home-based franchise are likely to work hardest for a brand that offers this feature.
  • READ MORE: 20 of the Most Profitable Small Businesses

Most Profitable Franchises

Franchises can provide many financial benefits since they offer a proven business model and tons of support for business owners. Some tend to be more profitable than others. Here are a few that offer consistently high revenue.

1. Anytime Fitness

Anytime Fitness is a popular gym brand with a low-cost investment and high revenue potential. The brand brings in billions in worldwide revenue. Earnings mainly come from monthly membership fees, which provide predictable monthly income. But there are other ways to generate revenue as well, like personal training. The initial investment ranges from $381,575 to $783,897.

2. McDonald’s

McDonald’s franchise program is one of the most established in the fast food industry. The worldwide brand recognition, loyal customer base, and solid reputation for support make this a top option. There are even international and multi-unit franchises available. Most McDonald’s franchisees start by purchasing an existing location from McDonald’s or another franchise operator. So costs vary widely, but you can start with a business that already has an established customer base.

3. UPS Store

The UPS Store is a retail business that offers shipping, printing, and related services to individuals and businesses. Locations don’t require much space or staffing. So overhead is generally low enough to achieve profitability quickly. There are a variety of location types with varying costs. Traditional stores range from $240,959 to$508,472, while rural locations can cost between $206,423 and $459,136. There are also store-in-store locations available for between $80,357 and $216,148.

4. Jersey Mike’s Subs

Jersey Mike’s is a sub shop that is one of the fastest growing franchises in the food service industry. The company’s locations are small and don’t require a huge staff. The initial investment ranges from $144,668 to $786,233.

5. Dunkin’

Dunkin’, formerly Dunkin Donuts, offers donuts, coffee, and various breakfast items at fast-casual locations. The menu items are fairly low cost, so they offer high-profit margins. Locations can also be small or even combined with other brands or locations. New franchises cost between $526,900 to $1.8 million.

6. Sport Clips

Sport Clips is one of the top brands in the men’s hair care industry. The business can be fairly small and doesn’t require tons of large equipment or expensive inventory. So ongoing costs can be kept fairly low. The upfront investment ranges from $266,300 to $439,500.

7. 7-Eleven

7-Eleven offers strong brand recognition worldwide and a consistent business model that may offer financial stability. The business provides a variety of products to appeal to people across demographics. The exact costs vary by state and circ*mstances. However, 7-Eleven covers many of the most expensive elements like the physical location.

8. Papa John’s

Papa John’s is one of the most successful pizza franchises, with more than 5,000 locations across the world. Locations can be fairly small, and staffing costs are generally minimal. Startup costs are estimated around $130,120 to $844,420.

More Profitable Options for Future Franchise Owners

If you’re interested in opening a profitable franchise, choosing one that is popular with young people or that has room to grow may be ideal. Here are some opportunities that are low cost, appeal to a young audience, or have room to grow.

9. Mathnasium

Mathnasium is a learning center for kids that specializes in mathematics. Tutoring and educational businesses like this have gained significant popularity in recent years. And there are multiple revenue streams available. The franchise’s total initial investment ranges from $112,860 to $148,655.

10. JAN-PRO

JAN-PRO is a cleaning and disinfecting business. The demand for these types of janitorial services has grown in recent years. And it’s likely to be a fairly consistent money maker going forward. The company also offers a flexible startup model. So you can begin small and grow as you gain more clients and resources. Startup expenses can be as low as $1,250 to $50,000.

11. Dream Vacations

Dream Vacations is a home-based travel agency franchise. This may sound like a declining industry, but there are still plenty of businesses and groups that require travel planning assistance. And there’s not as much competition in this field as there once was. The standard franchise fee to get started is $10,000, but various discounts are available.

12. Jazzercise

Jazzercise is a workout class brand that offers multiple franchise models. There’s a class owner franchisee, who runs the business side, and a teacher franchise, who buys into the business but simply runs the classes. The Jazzercise franchise fee is just $1,250. And other expenses like music royalty fees are minimal.

13. uBreakiFix

uBreakiFix is a chain of phone and device repair shops. This is an incredibly in-demand service that is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. Multiple store types are available, so startup costs and earnings vary. However, initial expenses generally range from $98,350 to $303,000.

14. Taco Bell

Taco Bell is one of the best franchise opportunities in the fast food industry. And opportunities are likely to continue growing since the brand has long targeted young consumers through a well-built marketing strategy. There is a hefty initial investment of between $1.2 and $2.6 million. But a franchise owner in the right market can earn that back and more with significant ongoing revenue.

15. Merry Maids

A Merry Maids franchise can be run mainly from home, which keeps initial costs low and can increase the chances of financial success. There’s also a high demand for cleaning services from both residents and businesses. And there’s potential to grow your business over time by increasing the size of your team so you can accommodate more clients. The initial investment, including a franchise fee and other expenses, usually costs around $94,480. And average gross sales across franchises fall at nearly $2 million.

See Also:16 Business Simulation Games for Entrepreneurs

16. Mac Tools

Mac Tools is a mobile franchise that sells tools out of a truck. This keeps startup expenses and ongoing costs relatively low, increasing the chances of achieving high profitability. The company also supports various important factors in running your business, from inventory buying power to technology. There’s an initial franchise fee of around $8,000. And total startup expenses usually fall between $109,000 and $250,000.

What Is the Most Profitable Franchise to Own in 2022?

The exact profits of each franchise vary widely by market, location, size, and various other factors. So there isn’t a way to guarantee or predict specific profits. However, one of the most successful franchise businesses for many years has been McDonald’s. And the business continues to provide steadily profitable opportunities to franchisees around the world in 2022.

Can Owning a Franchise Make You Rich?

There is no way to guarantee profits to prospective franchisees. However, there are plenty of opportunities that can provide consistently high profits to those willing to research the right opportunities for their market and work hard to grow their businesses.

What Franchises Can You Open for $10,000?

There are lots of franchises that offer franchise fees around $10,000 or less. However, overall startup costs often exceed this amount. Home-based franchises are often the least expensive to start. A few examples include JAN-PRO, Dream Vacations, and Jazzercise.

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16 of the Most Profitable Franchises (2024)

FAQs

What is the number 1 most profitable franchise? ›

Most Profitable Franchises
  1. Anytime Fitness. Anytime Fitness is a popular gym brand with a low-cost investment and high revenue potential. ...
  2. McDonald's. McDonald's franchise program is one of the most established in the fast food industry. ...
  3. UPS Store. ...
  4. Jersey Mike's Subs. ...
  5. Dunkin' ...
  6. Sport Clips. ...
  7. 7-Eleven. ...
  8. Papa John's.
Nov 1, 2022

What percentage of franchises are successful? ›

There's no real consensus on exact franchise success statistics out there, but for years franchises, brokers, and other websites have claimed a 90% to 95% success rate for franchisors.

What makes a profitable franchise? ›

Brand recognition and consistency are key elements to a successful franchise. Customers build trust and loyalty as they interact with the franchise, making it more likely they become repeat customers.

What percentage of profit is a franchise? ›

Franchise royalties range from 4% of your revenue all the way up to 12% or more. The amount has to do with the type of franchise business.

Can a franchise make you a millionaire? ›

The bottom line is that while a franchise can make you independently wealthy, it isn't a guarantee. Choosing the right business in the right industry, and going in with preexisting entrepreneurial experience and/or existing wealth can help, but your income-generating potential may still be somewhat limited.

Do franchise owners make money? ›

On average, typical franchisees make about 80,000 dollars a year, not considering tax and expenses. Only a small part of franchise owners make over $200,000 annually, more than fifty percent of franchisees make about $50,000. The industry you're operating in impacts the amount of profit as well.

Why do so many franchises fail? ›

Just like independent businesses, cashflow problems are one of the major causes of franchise failures. You can be profitable, but problems with cashflow will still sink you. Simply put, cash flow is the amount of money going out versus the amount of money coming in.

What is the failure rate for a franchise? ›

A widely publicized statistic from a 1987 International Franchise Association (IFA) study showed that franchises have a failure rate of 5% (which would equate to an unbelievable success rate of 95%).

How long do most franchises last? ›

What Is The Typical Length Of A Franchise Agreement? The typical length of a franchise agreement is between five and 20 years. A common reason for this general length of time is often the size of the franchisee's initial investment, though market conditions and the type of franchise can also be factors.

What makes the best franchise? ›

What makes a good franchise is an agile yet strong and supportive infrastructure. All franchisees need initial training when they start. Even if they have experience, they'll still need to learn the ropes of your operating model.

Is being a franchise owner good money? ›

Buying a franchise might seem like easy money, but those royalties and fees will quickly cut into profit margins. The majority of franchise owners earn less than $50,000 per year.

How long does it take for a franchise to be profitable? ›

One common misconception when it comes to operating a franchise is that once you sign on the dotted line and open for business, the customers and revenue will start flowing. This is typically not the case. It normally takes a year or two to become profitable.

What is the average return on a franchise? ›

The average annual income return from the business will be equal to at least 30-50% per year of the total initial investment for the franchise unit. This total investment we're referring to includes all debt and working capital reserves needed to start the business.

How much does a franchise owner make per month? ›

What Is the Average Franchise Owner Salary by State
StateAnnual SalaryMonthly Pay
California$99,624$8,302
Vermont$99,068$8,255
Kansas$98,834$8,236
Delaware$98,759$8,229
46 more rows

Is owning a franchise an investment? ›

Franchises – Part Investment, Part Business Venture

When you buy into a franchise, it's really a hybrid of investing and starting a business. The investing side is the upfront capital that's required to buy into the franchise.

Is it hard being a franchise owner? ›

Running your own franchise is still hard work, and there are drawbacks to opening a business that requires operating by someone else's rules.

Who is the largest franchise owner in the world? ›

McDonald's has been the world's largest franchise for decades. That trend continues in 2023. With over 38,000 locations worldwide, McDonald's has a significant presence in more than 100 countries.

How much does a Chick-fil-A franchise make? ›

On average, a Chick-Fil-A franchise makes $8,072,000 in sales per year.
Mall unitsNon mall units
Revenue$2,694,009$8,580,978
Restaurants1821,985
May 22, 2023

How much is a Chick-fil-A franchise? ›

While operating a Chick-fil-A restaurant requires a relatively modest $10,000 initial financial commitment ($15,000 CAD in Canada), it requires a holistic commitment to own and operate the business in a hands-on manner.

Is it risky to buy a franchise? ›

Like starting any business, buying a franchise involves risk. Although most franchisees are satisfied and successful, some do suffer financial losses. That's why you must be particularly wary of any company that “guarantees” profit or certain success.

What are 3 disadvantages of owning a franchise? ›

Disadvantages of Franchising
  • Limited creative opportunities. ...
  • Financial information is shared with the franchisor. ...
  • Varied levels of support. ...
  • Initial investments and start-up costs can be expensive. ...
  • Contracts aren't permanent. ...
  • You're your own boss, but you have less individual control.
Aug 30, 2021

Why is it difficult to sell a franchise? ›

A franchisor may place a number of restrictions on a franchisee's business sale. The franchisor wants to identify franchisees who can manage each franchise successfully. Purchasers need financial resources to pay for the franchise, and they must invest the time required to learn the business.

What is the biggest disadvantage of franchising? ›

Disadvantages to franchisees include high costs and royalty payments, strict product rules, lack of support from uninterested franchisors, lack of flexibility in where to locate and how to trade, and other start-up challenges. Entering into an agreement with an interested franchisor is important.

What is a major risk for a franchise owner? ›

Capital Risk

Any business venture comes with some financial risk. When you buy a franchise, you need to ensure you have enough capital to pay the required startup fees along with training costs, equipment and property.

What is a disadvantage of running a franchise? ›

Limited Control. Because franchises already have a prearranged formula and a defined brand, the most significant disadvantage is limited control.

Can a franchise be shut down? ›

Franchise agreements can end either by some form of termination or by expiring by their own terms. When most franchise agreements expire, the franchisee will generally have an opportunity to renew the franchise agreement.

Can you walk away from a franchise? ›

A franchise agreement is a fixed term contract and there is no early right to exit unless the parties agree.

Can you quit a franchise? ›

There are at least a few options: (1) determine whether or not you have any leverage you can use against the franchisor so that it will allow you to exit the business; (2) sell the business to a third party or existing franchisee; (3) sell the business back to the franchisor; or (4) find out if the franchisor is ...

What is the most important thing in franchising? ›

Brand consistency and service consistency across multiple franchise outlets are key factors in running a successful franchise business. Establish strong standard business processes and practices which will enforce consistency across all of the franchise outlets.

Why is franchising better than owning? ›

Success rate - Franchises have a better rate of success than a start-up business. Operational assistance - As easy as this "They do the numbers" Easier to secure finance for a franchise - It may cost less to buy a franchise than to start from scratch.

What does it take to be a successful franchise owner? ›

Franchises offer great business opportunities for new entrepreneurs looking to start a business at less risk and lower startup costs. Nonetheless, in order to be successful in the franchising world, you need to possess strong work ethic, excellent customer service, strong leadership, and attention to detail.

How much money do you need to become a franchise owner? ›

How much does it cost to start your own franchise? Franchise startup costs can be as low as $10,000 or as high as $5 million, with the majority falling somewhere between $100,000 and $300,000.

How much does it cost to own a 7 11? ›

An initial franchise fee of $25,000. An inventory down payment between $20,000 and $40,000, plus an initial cash register fund. Land and building improvements, which vary by site.

Can a franchise business fail? ›

A leading cause of a franchisee failure is the franchisee being undercapitalized. A lack of sufficient working capital can be the result of a slow start-up or the franchise operation requiring more working capital than the amount disclosed in the franchise disclosure document.

How do I get enough money to start a franchise? ›

Options for funding a franchise
  1. Franchisor financing. ...
  2. Commercial bank loans. ...
  3. Small Business Association (SBA) loans. ...
  4. Alternative lenders. ...
  5. Personal assets. ...
  6. Rollovers as business startup (ROBS) ...
  7. Crowdfunding. ...
  8. Friends and family.

Is owning a franchise a full time job? ›

Buying a franchise doesn't have to mean making a full-time commitment. Believe it or not, there are many franchises that can be run on a part-time basis, especially when you first start out.

How many franchises fail in 10 years? ›

Data from the BLS shows that approximately 20% of new businesses fail during the first two years of being open, 45% during the first five years, and 65% during the first 10 years. Only 25% of new businesses make it to 15 years or more.

Is owning a franchise passive income? ›

Using the definition above, yes, a franchise can definitely be passive income! In fact, many franchises are set up with the goal of passive income in mind. That's why some franchisees end up owning multiple locations of the same franchise, with a separate staff and minimal oversight to run each one.

What are 5 important things to consider when investing in a franchise? ›

Buying A Franchise: 5 Essential Steps To Take Before Investing
  • Assess Your Skill Set. ...
  • Identify Your Passion And Long-Term Goals. ...
  • Calculate Your Investment Level And Future Profitability. ...
  • Speak With Franchisees And Assess The Franchise Disclosure Document. ...
  • Get To Know The Franchisor.

Is it better to buy a business or franchise? ›

If you consider yourself a “true” entrepreneur and prefer to do everything under your terms, then you're probably better off building a business from scratch. However, if you want to run a business in your market but prefer assistance to help you build your business, then consider opening a franchise instead.

Is owning a franchise an asset? ›

Intangible Assets

The franchise you purchase becomes an intangible asset that goes on your business balance sheet and is recorded as a noncurrent asset, according to Reference for Business. This is generally written off as an expense on your balance sheet and affects your bottom line when it comes to taxation.

How much does a Dunkin franchise owner make? ›

How Much Does a Dunkin' Donuts Franchisee Make? The annual sales of a Dunks location range from about $620,000 to $1.3 million* depending on the type of franchise you own – freestanding store, in-line shopping center, or a non-traditional location in a gas station or convenience store.

How much do McDonald owners make? ›

How much does an Owner make at McDonald's in the United States? The estimated average pay for Owner at this company in the United States is $20.23 per hour, which is 17% above the national average.

What is the number 1 food franchise in the world? ›

McDonald's

How much does a 7 Eleven franchise owner make? ›

The company grows rapidly and attracts more and more entrepreneurs to become a part of their network. There are more than 30,000 stores around the world. On average the 7-Eleven franchise profit is about $1-1.9 million a year. As a 7-Eleven franchise owner you get about 48% of annual profit margin from total sales.

How much is a Taco Bell franchise? ›

Franchising fee: It costs between $25,000 and close to $50,000 for the initial franchise fee. This, too, will vary depending on the details of your specific Taco Bell franchise. Net worth: The current net-worth requirement is around $1.5 million worth of assets.

How much is Starbucks franchise? ›

The average licensing cost required to open a Starbucks is a $315,000 licensing fee and a net worth requirement of at least $700,000.

How much do Subway owners make? ›

On average, a typical Subway store will gross about $420,000 a year, based on Subway's own figures and industry estimates. While that may sound like a lot of money, $420,000 is a small per unit revenue compared with other restaurant franchise opportunities.

How much does it cost to franchise a Subway? ›

What Does a Subway® Franchise Cost? To buy a franchise with Subway®, you'll need to have at least liquid capital of $40,000 and a minimum net worth of $80,000. Franchisees can expect to make a total investment of $150,050 - $328,700.

How much does Wendy's franchise cost? ›

What does the initial franchisee fee cover? Does it include start-up supplies and training? The standard franchise fee in the U.S. and Canada is $50,000 for a franchise agreement with a term of 20 years.

What fast food chain makes the most money? ›

McDonald's Corporation is the largest fast-food chain. As of 2022, Starbucks is the largest restaurant company by revenue, with 35,000 stores globally.

What is the richest food franchise in America? ›

The largest fast food chain in the US is McDonald's, with a revenue of $23.18 billion and a market share of 43.8%. As of 2021, the US fast food industry has a market size of $366.9 billion.

What does a Chick-fil-A owner make? ›

With a Chick Fil A franchise owner's salary range typically falling between $150,000 and $250,000 annually, the investment in this popular fast-food chain can prove to be highly profitable.

Why does it only cost $10000 to open a Chick-fil-A? ›

Startup costs for Chick-fil-A franchises are relatively low. That's because, unlike other franchises, Chick-fil-A actually purchases the real estate and all of the equipment required to open the business, and then leases them to you via monthly rent payments.

Why is it so cheap to open a Chick-fil-A? ›

Chick-fil-A's franchise cost is low because the franchisor pays many startup costs and retains ownership of real estate, inventory and equipment. While this makes for a more accessible franchise business opportunity, the trick is getting in.

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