The 10-6 Top Franchise Websites: Which Ones Stand Out

In today’s digital world, building a strong online presence is becoming increasingly imperative, especially in the franchise industry. Often a prospective franchisee’s first impression of a company, the franchise development website is one of the most crucial fulcrums of a successful franchise program.

1851 Franchise recently unveiled its Top 40 Franchise Development Websites, a collection of the strongest the industry has to offer. Here are five franchise websites that are raising the bar.

MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes*
MOOYAH’s franchise site doesn’t waste anytime getting to the good stuff. Directly after a quite literal “hero image,” there is a contact form. The clean and easily navigable one-page site doesn’t drown the user in information.

“We wanted to create a nice balance of something that looked minimal yet bold enough to highlight the amazing product and opportunity that MOOYAH was offering," Ahmad Yilmaz, web designer at No Limit Agency*, told 1851.

The element that really sets this site apart from other franchise development websites is the focus on franchisee support. From testimonials to a news feed of franchise development stories, there’s no reason for prospective franchisees to feel uneasy.

Philly Pretzel Factory
Also utilizing the ever popular “hero image,” Philly Pretzel Factory’s website places a mouthwatering shot of their pretzels front and center. Once you start scrolling, the “Request Info” button conveniently hovers down the sleek one-page design. The site details the ease of the franchisee recruitment process in just a few sections. Once you’ve reach the bottom of the page, there’s a simple form to fill out if you are ready to take the next step.

Taco Bell
Everyone knows what Taco Bell is, so the quick-service chain wastes no time on introductions. This multi-page site is chockfull of any information one could possibly need to know about buying this world famous franchise. The site utilizes the popular “steps” navigation scheme—in which one page leads into the next—and ends with a form prompting visitors to request more information. Each page is equipped with a “Request Info” button, so users can reach out to the Taco Bell team at any point.

The Dry Bar
The Dry Bar’s tagline says it best: “No Cuts. No Color. Just blowouts.” This new and innovative concept is taking the franchise industry by storm. Because of the idea’s newness, plenty of the website is devoted to an introduction to the company. The gray, yellow and white color scheme makes this site easy to read and the one-page layout is easy to navigate. The site successfully achieves a balance between concise and informative content. The form at the bottom of the page is a bit more extensive, but will help you determine if the franchise is the right fit for you.

Steak ‘n Shake
Much like Taco Bell, Steak ‘n Shake’s development site employs the “steps” navigation layout. After clicking the “Start Here” button, users are taken to the first step, which encapsulates an overview of the company. A slider of high-resolution images spans the width of the page, tracing the progression of the company’s design. With only three steps between the company history and the standard franchise form, Steak ‘n Shake doesn’t waste time in convincing prospective franchisees to join the S ‘n S camp.