Are you passionate about the food industry and dream of owning a restaurant franchise? Well, you’ve come to the right place! In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of restaurant franchises and explore the ins and outs of this restaurant business model.
What is a Restaurant Franchise?
A restaurant franchise is a unique business arrangement between the franchisor and the franchisee. Here, the franchisor is the owner of an established restaurant brand, and the franchisee is the individual or entity that will work as a representative at a mutually agreed specific location. The franchisor grants the franchisee the right to operate a replica of their business.
Generally, by the franchise agreement, the franchisee is allowed to use the franchisor’s brand name, trademarks, operational systems, and other assets. Also, the franchise is supposed to be provided with ongoing support. The franchisor in most cases will charge fees for leveraging the brand or share profit.
Some Key Statistics on Restaurant Franchise Business
- The restaurant industry is one of the largest sectors in franchising, representing approximately 18% of all franchises, as per a study by the International Franchise Association (IFA),
- The National Restaurant Association predicts that restaurant industry sales in the United States are projected to reach $997 billion in 2023.
- According to a FRANdata analysis, franchise-owned restaurants outperform independent eateries in terms of success. According to their survey, 62% of franchise-owned restaurants remained open after five years, whereas only 43% of independent eateries did.
- According to Statista, one of the most common forms of restaurant franchises is quick-service restaurants (QSR). It is home to roughly 53% of all restaurant franchise locations in the United States.
- Franchise Business Review conducted a poll of food franchises. They discovered that 87% of respondents ranked their franchise system as good or exceptional.
- According to Technomic, McDonald’s, Subway, and Starbucks are the top three fast-food restaurant franchises in terms of global sales in 2021. Through the franchise concept, these brands have effectively expanded their business.
- According to Franchise Direct, the initial expenditure needed to create a restaurant franchise can range from $10,000 for smaller concepts to more than $1 million for bigger, well-established brands.
The Benefits of Owning a Restaurant Franchise
There are several advantages and benefits of owning a restaurant franchise. Let us discuss some of the key benefits that make restaurant franchises a profitable business opportunity:
1. Established Brand Recognition
The most important benefit of buying a restaurant franchise is to leverage an already-established trustable brand. It significantly reduces the time and effort required to build a customer base. This is because consumers generally prefer food from a familiar brand over an unknown one.
Read: How to Start a Restaurant Business
2. Proven Business Model
The second biggest advantage of a restaurant franchise is access to a proven business model. Since the franchisor is already successful, it is expected that they have effective operational processes, menu offerings, and marketing strategies. Hence, you are provided with a proven blueprint for success. This saves a lot of time, effort, and money for new entrepreneurs.
3. Ongoing Support and Training
Generally, successful restaurant franchisors provide comprehensive support and training to their franchisees. It includes initial training on operating procedures to ongoing assistance with marketing and management. For beginners, this support system works as a lifeline.
4. Bulk Purchasing Power
As part of a restaurant franchise, you can leverage the collective buying power of the franchisor. As a result, you get big discounts on ingredients, supplies, equipment, etc. These cost savings can positively impact your bottom line.
5. Marketing and Advertising Assistance
In the present market conditions, it is almost impossible to be successful in the restaurant business without investing heavily in marketing and advertising. However, as a restaurant franchise owner, you get the benefit from the collective marketing efforts of the franchisor. This includes national and regional advertising campaigns, social media presence, and professional marketing materials.
Read: How to Promote a Restaurant
6. Continuous Innovation
It is without saying restaurant industry is always evolving. You need to invest in research and development to stay ahead of industry trends and consumer preferences. It is almost impossible for an independent restaurant owner to invest such huge money. As a restaurant franchisee of a reputed brand, you can benefit from ongoing product and menu innovations, ensuring that your restaurant remains relevant and appealing to customers.
The Challenges of Owning a Restaurant Franchise
While restaurant franchises have various advantages, it is also true that they also have some drawbacks. You must know these challenges beforehand. It will make you capable to make the right business decisions and navigate the franchise journey more efficiently. Let us look at some of the most prevalent issues that restaurant franchisees face:
1. Initial Investment
It is a fact that opening a restaurant franchise requires a substantial initial investment. It includes franchise fees, leasing agreements, equipment purchases, and startup inventory costs. Furthermore, you will also be prepared to invest in recurring expenses like staff salaries, raw materials, and so on. Hence, you must have enough capital to consider starting a franchise restaurant.
2. Ongoing Fees
Restaurant franchisees are often asked to pay continuing fees to the franchisor in addition to the initial investment. It includes percentage-of-sales royalties, advertising fees, and donations to a national advertising fund. Hence, you must be careful in adding these additional expenses to your financial calculations.
3. Loss of Independence
As a franchisee, you have to follow the franchisor’s policies and requirements. It includes menu items, operating procedures, branding rules, and quality requirements. Though it provides a tried and tested recipe for success, it somewhat restricts your freedom to make independent business decisions.
4. Competition
Restaurant franchises generally face extremely competitive markets. Depending on the brand and region, you may face competition from other franchise locations, independent restaurants, and even equivalent concepts from other franchise systems. It is advisable to do in-depth market research and buy a franchise with a distinct selling proposition that distinguishes you from the competition.
5. Difficulty in Operation
Running a restaurant involves a great degree of operational efficiency. As a restaurant franchise owner, you will need to handle a wide range of activities like Inventory management, staffing, customer service, uniform food quality, etc. Hence, you will require strong organizational abilities, great communication skills, and the ability to deal with day-to-day restaurant concerns.
6. Dependence on the Franchisor
It is a fact that the franchisor’s help and training are beneficial to franchise partners. However, it is also true that franchisees get more and more dependent on the franchisor for continuous support, marketing campaigns, and operational updates.
How to Start a Restaurant Franchise
Here are some of the important steps to follow to start a restaurant franchise:
- Research and Choose the Right Franchise
- Evaluate the Financial Requirements
- Location Selection
- Complete the Franchise Application
- Sign the Franchise Agreement
- Attend Training Programs
- Set Up Operations
- Market and Promote Your Franchise
- Provide Exceptional Customer Experience
Read: How to Write a Restaurant Business Plan
FAQs About Restaurant Franchises
What are the main types of restaurant franchises?
There are several types of restaurant franchises. It includes quick-service restaurants (QSRs), casual dining, fast-casual, fine dining, and specialty concepts. Each type caters to different customer preferences and offers varying levels of investment and operational involvement.
What are the best restaurant franchise opportunities?
Here are some reputed franchise opportunities in the restaurant industry:
- McDonald’s
- Subway
- KFC
- Pizza Hut
- Domino’s Pizza
- Starbucks
- Taco Bell
- Burger King
- Dunkin’
- Wendy’s
What is the cheapest restaurant franchise to start?
Some of the cheapest restaurant franchises to own are as follows:
- Baskin Robbins
- Cold Stone Creamery
- Chick-Fil-A
- Chester’s Chicken
- Firehouse Subs
What is the most expensive restaurant franchise?
Listed below are some of the most expensive restaurant franchises to buy:
- Culver’s Restaurant
- KFC
- Denny’s
- Hardee’s
- Carl’s Jr.
How much does it cost to open a restaurant franchise?
The cost of opening a restaurant franchise varies widely. It depends on the brand, location, size, and concept. The cost and investment range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars. It is advised to thoroughly review the franchise disclosure documents.
Can I choose the location for my restaurant franchise?
In most cases, the franchisor plays a significant role in determining the location of your restaurant franchise. They generally provide guidance based on market research and their experience in selecting successful sites. However, there may be some flexibility within certain parameters to accommodate your preferences and local market conditions.
How long does a restaurant franchise agreement typically last?
Restaurant franchise agreements usually have a predetermined term. It typically ranges from 3 to 20 years. The length of the agreement will be specified in the franchise contract. In addition, it is essential to understand the terms and renewal options before signing.
What ongoing support can I expect from the franchisor?
Generally, all reputed franchisors provide ongoing support to their franchisees. This includes training programs, operational guidance, marketing support, and access to proprietary systems and resources. Before buying a restaurant franchise, it is essential to inquire about the level of support provided by the franchisor.
Can I sell my restaurant franchise in the future?
Most restaurant franchise agreements allow franchisees to sell their franchise to a qualified buyer. However, the sale is generally subject to the approval of the franchisor. Furthermore, the terms and conditions regarding the sale of the franchise will be outlined in the franchise agreement.
Editorial Team at 99BusinessIdeas is a team of experts led by Rupak Chakrabarty with over 25 years of experience in starting and running small businesses. Started in 2010, 99BusinessIdeas is now one of the largest free small business resources in the industry.