Top 10 Food Truck Franchise Opportunities for 2023

Food trucks have become an attractive option for many business owners, fast casual restaurants, and big brands to bring their food closer to the public. Food franchisors, in particular, have slowly branched out to offering food truck models because of mobility and low startup cost. And if you’re searching for the best food truck franchise, here’s our list of the top 10 franchises with food truck models.

1. Lobster Dogs

Whet seafood lovers’ appetites with lobster rolls by franchising a Lobster Dogs food truck. 

Lobster Dogs started as a food truck and remains a food truck franchise with a restaurant set up in Denver. They have more than 10+ food trucks available in different states, making Lobster Dogs an ideal franchise opportunity. Even if they’re a growing franchise, you can receive support from them, plus they don’t limit the number of days you can work on the food truck.

If you want to start a Lobster Dogs franchise, you can use their contact form here.

Investment: 35,000 + a 7% monthly royalty fee

2. Cousins Maine Lobster

Cousins Maine Lobster is an alternative food truck franchise to Lobster Dogs. Although they have brick-and-mortar restaurants available, franchisees can use food trucks to bring lobster rolls closer to home. If you want to become a Cousins Maine Lobster, you’ll know the ropes from catching lobsters with their fishermen during your training and get comprehensive support from branding to marketing.

It takes 12 steps to become a Cousins Maine Lobster franchisee, and it starts by filling out their application here.

Investment: $195,100 to $531,800

3. Kona Ice

Sweet frozen treats are one of the most popular food to sell on any food truck. And if you want to franchise one, Kona Ice is one of the food truck franchises to invest in. When you’re franchising a Kona Ice truck, you’re not just selling their famous fluffy shaved ice, but you’re also providing a good experience through music and fun characters. Plus, customers can even customize their own Kona.

You will definitely get 24/7 support and learn about being a Kona franchise through their Kona Kollege. And if you want to support a franchise that gives back, they donate around $100 million to communities. To start your Kona franchisee journey, click here.

Investment: ~$140,000 + annual royalty fee (depending on how many years you’ve been running the food truck)

4. Dapper Doughnut

If it’s donuts you want to sell, Dapper Doughnut is the first donut franchise on our list. You will sell hot and fresh donuts that will surely excite your customer’s taste buds. For their franchise models, you can choose their restaurant or a food truck, allowing you some flexibility to sell their delicious donuts anywhere in the metro. Plus, they ensure they’ll be there for you during training, for marketing, supply chain, and location search and review.

And if you want to start a Dapper Doughnut franchise, you can contact them here.

Investment: $59,695 to $311,000 (figures from Entrepreneur)

5. DonutNV

DonutNV is another donut franchise to consider, especially if you love these round treats. One reason many franchisees choose DonutNV is the flexibility of working full-time or part-time. Plus, their royalties are a weekly flat rate. On top of their sweet donuts, they also sell lemonades. In addition, they also donate to local communities.

Investment: $244,575 to $313,025 (figures from Entrepreneur)

6. Churromania

If donuts or iced treats aren’t your thing, Churromania is one franchise you can invest in. They have been in business since 1997 and are looking for franchise opportunities in the following cities:

• Florida: Orlando and Tampa
• Texas: San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston

And if you’re interested in selling churros to the public, start your Churromania franchise journey here.

7. Cerealphoria

Here’s one unique food truck franchise that will surely get the attention of kids and kids at heart. Cerealphoria sells different kinds of cereal and shakes to the public. They have various cereals and shakes, ideal for anyone who loves cereal. But they also sell milkshakes, root beer, strawberry floats, and cheesecake in a cup.

Cerealphoria is available to franchise a kiosk or a food truck. Plus, you will have a franchise support team to train you and guide you to success.

If you want to start this franchise, you can contact them here.

8. Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza

Make fresh pizza on the go with Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza. It’s one of the few pizza franchises that have a food truck model available. Even if they are an established brand in Texas, Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas, Florida, and Ohio, you can still open a franchise in neighboring states. These include:

• Utah
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma
• Georgia
• Kentucky
• Tennessee
• Alabama
• And so much more!

With Smokin’ Oak, you don’t need prior experience working in the food industry. But they hope franchisees have business acumen and are committed to following their processes.

And if you’re interested in franchising a Smokin’ Oak, you can start here.

Investment: $303,000 to $682,000

9. Nashville Hot Chicken

Do you want to franchise an established chicken restaurant but don’t have enough capital or funds to franchise Chick-Fil-A or KFC? Nashville Hot Chicken is one of your best options for a chicken franchise! They have a low startup rate, making this franchise attractive to many franchisees. Aside from their food truck model, you can set up a brick-and-mortar restaurant and ghost kitchen. And if you want to become their franchisee, you’ll get training for 44 hours and comprehensive support.

You can submit your application here.

Investment: $49,000 to $70,000 (food truck)

10. Wing it On!

Here’s another chicken franchise that you might consider. Wing it On! is a fast-casual restaurant selling chicken wings. Here, customers can choose between 24 sauces to dip their delicious wings in. With Wing it On! you can customize the following:

• Footprint options
• Franchise models
• Specialty menus
• Marketing and advertising

Currently, Wing it On! has available markets in the East, South, and Midwest. Texas, Florida, and New York are a few of their priority markets.

Like any other franchise, Wing it On! will have your back from the very beginning. And in five steps, you can be a Wing it On! franchisee. And if you want to start, here’s their contact form.

Investment: $242,500 to $486,500