Top 10 Burger Franchises of 2022

Despite people becoming more health conscious nowadays, burger franchises are still on the rise. If you want to take advantage of this boom, it’s time to search for the best burger franchises. Here is our list of the best bets for the coming new year.

1. McDonald’s

A name famous worldwide, McDonald’s is still an excellent choice for a burger franchise. Its profitability is undeniable, with over 2 billion dollars in average annual net income. It has more than 38,000 restaurants in 100 countries, 93% of which are franchises.

To start operating a McDonald’s burger franchise, you need to shell out anywhere between $1,314,500 and $2,306,500. You also need to pay an initial $45,000 franchise fee.

2. Burger King

Another burger franchise operating around the world, Burger King, has instant name recognition. This is an excellent factor as it has the ability to sell itself. In 2021, this burger chain recorded approximately $1.81 billion in revenues, not its highest, but considerably well despite the pandemic.

An estimated total cost of $230,000 to $4,194,700 is what franchisees need to pay if they want a Burger King franchise. Additionally, you may need to pay an initial fee of up to $50,000.

3. Wendy’s

One of the most recognizable names in fast food, Wendy’s is a lucrative burger franchise option. The company reported a worldwide net income of $200.4 million in 2021, proving its profitability. This may be the reason that Wendy’s franchisees are some of the happiest. 

If you want to franchise a Wendy’s restaurant, you need to pay an estimated cost that ranges from $329,500 to $3,693,000. 

4. A&W

Offering more than just burgers, A&W also has hotdogs, cheese curds, and their signature root beer. This burger franchise has been around since 1919, earning them a great reputation in the business. It has more than 900 locations worldwide, over 35,000 employees, and annual average revenue of $99.4 million.

The franchise fee of an A&W restaurant costs $20,000 to $30,000. The estimated total investment ranges from $1.1 million to $1.7 million.

5. Red Robin

With gourmet burgers and unlimited steak fries on its menu, Red Robin offers an all-American dining experience. It reported a net revenue of $380.6 million this year, an increase of 19.4% compared to 2021. It has around 570 locations across the US, 90 of which are franchises.

Red Robin requires an initial franchise fee of $35,000. The total estimated costs range from $1,865,000 to $4,115,000.

6. Hardee’s

Founded in 1960, Hardee’s has more than 5,812 franchises across the US, commonly found along highways and gas stations. It also operates abroad, with over 400 locations internationally. This burger franchise’s annual average net revenue is $920 million, selling burgers, chicken tenders, floats, and many others. 

You can start your own Hardee’s franchise with an estimated total investment of $1,252,000 to $2,131,000. Its initial franchise fee will cost you $25,000. 

7. Culver’s

If you fancy serving juicy burgers and frozen custard, Culver’s is an excellent franchising option to consider for the coming year. It has a revenue of $3.2 billion from its 878 locations, employing more than 25,000 workers. The company was founded in 1984 and has restaurants in 25 states.

The initial franchise fee for Culver’s is anywhere from $20,000 to $55,000. If you’re interested in owning a franchise, get your $2,301,000 to $5,788,000 estimated total investment cost ready.

8. Sonic Drive-In

Another staple fast food chain, Sonic Drive-In, is slowly gaining popularity. Its 3,552 locations gave the company $64.067 million in revenue in 2016 alone. It has more than 5,000 employees working for them, providing a classic drive-in experience serving burgers and hotdogs, among many other fares.

You can start your own Sonic Drive-In restaurant after paying the initial franchise fee of $45,000. Prepare the $1,768,000 to $3,543,000 total investment cost to have everything going.

9. Five Guys

A family-owned and operated restaurant company, Five Guys, is a great option for franchising. From 2006 to 2012, the company has grown 792%, opening nearly 1,400 locations in the US and Canada. As of today, this burger franchise already has more than 1,700 restaurants across the globe.

The initial franchise fee you have to pay is $25,000, with estimated total franchising costs that range from $306,200 to $641,250. 

10. Jack in the Box

While burgers are Jack in the Box’s specialty, they also serve salads, tacos, and many more. In 2021, its locations reached 2,218 with roughly 5,300 employees. This burger franchise opportunity recorded an $89.764 million net revenue and a $230.584 million operating income.

You can have your own Jack in the Box restaurant after paying the $50,000 initial franchise fee. You will need to pay a total estimated cost of anywhere between $1,697,000 to $2,694,600.

Honorable Mentions

The burger franchises below are excellent choices, too, so we had to add them to our honorable mentions:

Freddy’s

If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, Freddy’s is the burger franchise for you. It offers not just burgers but steakburgers along with their frozen custards and many others. It has been voted as one of Forbes’ America’s Best franchises for 2018 and 2019. 

Freddy’s has over 450 stores in 35 states, reporting a $534 million revenue for 2019. The initial franchise fee is $30,000, and a total estimated franchising investment of $1,142,828 to $2,327,329.

Arctic Circle

One of the fastest-growing burger and shake restaurants in the US today is Arctic Circle. Half of their 71 restaurants are franchises in 7 different states. This burger franchise takes pride in its signature Black Angus hamburgers, shakes, salads, and halibut dishes.

If you want to “get the good stuff,” you’ll need $25,000 for the initial franchise fee. Your estimated total franchise investment will cost anywhere between $969,500 to $1,798,000.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Burger Franchise

All these burger franchises seem promising, so choosing which to get can be difficult. Here are some factors you need to consider when making your choice:

Total cost – to avoid spending more than what your budget dictates, carefully check all the investment costs (training, rent, utilities, etc.)

New vs. existing – a new franchise means you get control of the business while an existing one offers an established track record.

Brand perception – learn first the consumer’s perception of the brand. One that has a strong customer appeal has a longer lifespan.

Flexibility in management – check a franchise’s operational limitations as some are stricter than others. This will tell you how much control you have over your franchise.

Conclusion

Owing a burger franchise can be an exciting and fruitful endeavor. However, it would be best if you did some research to find out which one should suit you the best. Arming yourself with knowledge will lead you to a lucrative burger franchise.

And if you want to read more about other franchises, you can browse here at Franchise HOW!