Best Burger Franchises in 2024

Discover the top 5 burger franchises redefining the industry with customizable menus, unique offerings, and a focus on health-conscious trends. Explore how these brands keep burgers at the heart of America’s dining culture.

Last updated 30 Oct 2024 Time 4 min read
burger franchises

Introduction

The burger franchise industry covers a wide range of restaurants and businesses, from chain, independent, fast food, and full service, but ultimately they share the common element of serving burgers as their primary menu item. Some restaurants offer pre-made burger options, while others allow customers to “build” their own burger with personalized ingredients. The burger is one of the most popular dishes in the United States, with 71% of all beef consumed in restaurants eaten in the form of a hamburger, and Americans eat approximately 50 billion burgers a year. In this article, we will discuss some of the trends in the burger industry in addition to the 5 best burger franchises.

Burger Industry Trends

Over the past five years, the burger industry has done relatively well as more consumers seek to eat away from home, this trend propelled by the increase in disposable income and consumer spending. However, one potential source of hindrance comes from the specialized nature of burger restaurants, and as more restaurants offer a greater variety of food, burger restaurants should diversify their offerings in order to stay competitive. Furthermore, trends in healthy and sustainable living will likely lead consumers to want healthy alternatives to a burger, which successful companies have capitalized on by adding “meatless” burgers and other vegetarian options to their menus.

Key Food Industry Numbers

  • Average Food & Beverage Franchise Royalty Fee: 5.3%
  • Average Food & Beverage Franchise Marketing Fee: 2.3%
  • Average Food & Beverage Franchise Initial Investment: $466K
  • SBA Loan Paid-in-Full Rate: 32.5%
  • SBA Loan Charged Off Rate: 3.5%
  • SBA Loan Success Ratio: 9:1

5 Best Burger Franchises

Wendy’s

burger franchises

  • Total U.S. Locations: 6,030
  • Net Unit Growth (3 years): 107
  • Initial Investment: $310K-$2.83M
  • Royalty Fees: 5%

Wendy’s is one of the biggest hamburger chains around the world with a reputable and established brand name. As a franchisee, you will be responsible for hiring and training the staff in addition to getting the supplies needed to run the business. Also, you will be responsible for promoting the burger franchise. However, Wendy’s team will provide you with proven marketing and operational strategies in addition to support from their corporate team.

Freddy’s

burger franchises

  • Total U.S. Locations: 517
  • Net Unit Growth (3 years): 127
  • Initial Investment: $898K-$2.75M
  • Royalty Fees: 5%

Freddy’s is one of the fastest-growing burger franchises in the industry. This burger franchise offers marketing support, ongoing training, and much more to its franchisees. The franchisor’s main goal is to ensure your success which they will do by also providing you with access to their system to operate the business better.

Five Guys

burger franchises

  • Total U.S. Locations: 1,453
  • Net Unit Growth (3 years): -82
  • Initial Investment: $256K-$591K
  • Royalty Fees: 6%

Five Guys burger franchises are one of the top delicious food places in the industry as they serve their customers with a big smile and excellent customer service. Five Guys will offer you, a franchisee, comprehensive training for both you and your employees. In addition, financial and operational support throughout the year to ensure your business’s success.

Wayback Burger

burger franchises

  • Total U.S. Locations: 139
  • Net Unit Growth (3 years): 12
  • Initial Investment: $256K-$850K
  • Royalty Fees: 5%

Wayback Burgers is one of the top burger franchises with excellent customer service and franchisee support throughout the year. This includes marketing support, operational support, and ongoing training. This burger franchise is an outstanding choice as you approach the burger franchise industry.

Mooyah

burger franchises

  • Total U.S. Locations: 75
  • Net Unit Growth (3 years): -3
  • Initial Investment: $372K-$1.08M
  • Royalty Fees: 6%

Mooyah is one of the best burger franchises that has a goal to provide the best quality of service to its customers and franchisees. This franchise will offer its franchisee all the support needed such as site selection, construction support, training, and marketing, and ongoing operational support.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are different burger franchises that you could invest in depending on what you’re looking for. You should always take into consideration the market trends and the trends that are happening among burger franchises. In this article, we discussed the 5 best burger franchises along with different trends in the burger industry.

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