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<div id="pastingspan1"><span style="">Chances are you&#8217;ll never forget the purchase of your first car. The sense of freedom and exhilaration of ownership were probably enough to make your heart skip a beat. But, signing on the dotted line may also have induced a bit of heartburn. Big financial investments are supposed to do that.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">And, buying a franchise is no exception.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">We&#8217;re all looking for the best value that will also give us the biggest&#8212;and fastest&#8212;return on investment. But, with literally thousands of options out there, how do you know which one is right for you? The simple answer is: a little advice and a lot of research. Here are 10 exciting brands to start with that have investments between $500,000 and $1 million. Check them out before you drive off into the sunset:</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong style="">Famous Toastery</strong></div><div><span style="">L</span><span style="">ike breakfast food? So does the rest of the country. And no one&#8217;s doing it better than <a href="http://ownatoastery.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-of-the-best-franchise-investments-under-1-million-2829" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Famous Toastery</a>. The brand has set itself apart in the &#8220;better breakfast&#8221; segment by combining new twists on culinary classics while using only the highest-quality ingredients. Famous Toastery is focused on rapid expansion across the East Coast in 2016, and franchisees are perfectly positioned for quick ROI thanks to the brand&#8217;s unique self-sustaining business model. Plus, it&#8217;s breakfast, so owners&#8212;and employees&#8212;can be home by 4 p.m. every day.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong style="">Checkers &amp; Rally&#8217;s</strong></div><div><span style="">Over the last 30 years, <a href="http://checkersfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-of-the-best-franchise-investments-under-1-million-2829" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Checkers &amp; Rally&#8217;s</a> has steadily grown to become one of the country&#8217;s most recognized brands. With a track record of success spanning three decades, it&#8217;s no wonder the brand&#8217;s fans are fanatic about the bold flavors offered across the menu&#8212;especially its world famous seared burgers and instantly recognizable seasoned fries. The strong flavors will drive even stronger growth in new cities for the brand in 2016, and expansion in existing markets as well. With an initial investment as low as $155,400, franchisees are well positioned for rapid ROI through a proven business model that&#8217;s been tried and tested in more than 800 markets nationwide.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong style="">Slim Chickens</strong></div><div><span style="">In the South, great chicken is the key to a great meal. And, with roots planted firmly in the Delta, <a href="http://slimchickensfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-of-the-best-franchise-investments-under-1-million-2829" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Slim Chickens</a> is serving up the real deal. Based on the belief that traditional southern hospitality drives a great fast casual dining experience, Slim Chickens is serving up fresh, made from scratch food, from hand-breaded chicken tenders to fresh Buffalo wings and handmade dipping sauces. With an initial total investment as low as $400,450, franchisees can also serve up quick success.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong style="">Beef 'O&#8217; Brady&#8217;s</strong></div><div><span style="">For more than three decades, <a href="http://www.beefobradysfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-of-the-best-franchise-investments-under-1-million-2829" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Beef &#8216;O&#8217; Brady&#8217;s</a> has thrived under the motto: &#8220;Game Time Meets Family Time.&#8221; For its passionate fans, Beef&#8217;s is both a neighborhood based full service casual restaurant with a game room to keep the kids entertained, and a place to watch your favorite game in full HD, complete with a full bar. Franchisees work under an owner-operator model, and are expected to be partners in the communities they serve. Low initial franchise fees and strong corporate support also help make Beef&#8217;s a winning option.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong style="">Bojangles'</strong></div><div><span style="">Under the motto &#8220;our food is famous, our customers love us,&#8221; <a href="http://bojangles-franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-of-the-best-franchise-investments-under-1-million-2829" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://bojangles-franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-of-the-best-franchise-investments-under-1-million-2829" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://bojangles-franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-of-the-best-franchise-investments-under-1-million-2829" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bojangles'</a>&nbsp;Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits has built an empire of more than 250 company owned and operated restaurants, and more than 350 franchise locations. From mouth-watering flavors to exceptional training, the brand is focused on giving franchisees everything they need to keep building passionate fans, affectionately known as &#8220;Bo-natics.&#8221; Owners see strong earnings early in the day, with up to 40% of average sales coming during traditional breakfast periods. But, with dining opportunities available all the way through midnight, franchisees can also set themselves up for quick revenue growth.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong style="">The Brass Tap</strong></div><div><span style=""><a href="http://www.brasstapbeerbar.com/franchise.aspx?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-of-the-best-franchise-investments-under-1-million-2829" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Brass Tap</a> is an upscale beer bar that offers up to 80 different craft beers on tap, more than 300 varieties of imports, local craft beers, and a large selection of premium wines and cigars. The brand has built its reputation on offering quality craft selections that are constantly rotating, so thirsty customers always have something new to try. Add in live musical entertainment and plenty of sports on TVs across the upscale space, and you&#8217;ve got a recipe for success. With a total estimated initial investment as low as $421,500, driven franchisees can quickly toast to their success.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong style="">Dairy Queen</strong></div><div><span style="">With more than 65 years of franchising experience, <a href="http://www.dairyqueen.com/us-en/Company/Franchise-With-Us?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-of-the-best-franchise-investments-under-1-million-2829" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dairy Queen</a> boasts one of the strongest success records in the industry. When the American Dairy Queen Corporation (ADQ) launched the DQ Grill &amp; Chill concept in 2002, fans who already craved the cool treats the brand was founded on got a new option on the hot side of the grill too.  With more than 1,000 DQ Grill &amp; Chill locations now open, the brand is on the hunt for entrepreneurial minded partners, hungry for even more strong growth ahead.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong style="">Dunkin&#8217; Donuts</strong></div><div><span style="">When the first <a href="http://www.dunkinfranchising.com/franchisee/en.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-of-the-best-franchise-investments-under-1-million-2829" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dunkin&#8217; Donuts</a> franchise opened in 1955, one of the world&#8217;s most beloved comfort brands was born. Since then, Dunkin&#8217; has captured the market lead in coffee sales, and now boasts more than 10,000 locations worldwide. With the addition of a second option to add the Baskin Robbins brand to a franchise location, Dunkin&#8217; Brands offers strong value and a tried and tested corporate support model to franchisees, with no signs that the rapid pace of growth will slow anytime soon.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong style="">Papa Murphy&#8217;s</strong></div><div><span style="">The world loves pizza. But, by the time it finally gets delivered, sometimes it&#8217;s not as fresh as you&#8217;d hoped for. That&#8217;s why <a href="http://papamurphysfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-of-the-best-franchise-investments-under-1-million-2829" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Papa Murphy&#8217;s</a> started what it calls the &#8216;take and bake revolution.&#8217; Pizzas are made in store using fresh ingredients. Customers then bake the pies of their choosing in their own ovens at home&#8212;to rave reviews. Business is booming at the brand&#8217;s more than 1,500 stores. Franchisees are benefit from the brand&#8217;s simple, proven business model, which boasts an average unit volume of $608,715 per year, according to the latest earnings claim.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong style="">The Halal Guys</strong></div><div><span style="">The third highest searched American eatery on Yelp last year, <a href="http://thehalalguysfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-of-the-best-franchise-investments-under-1-million-2829" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Halal Guys</a> have created an almost legendary following in their founding city of New York. Known best for their &#8216;never ending line since 1990,&#8217; The Halal Guys made waves when they announced deals for 225 new units during their first year of franchising. The concept originated with a simple food cart in Manhattan and quickly grew into a leading tourist destination for mouth-watering American Halal fare, including chicken, gyro and falafel platters. The brand now has plans to go global, growing a fan base worldwide through the signature tastes it&#8217;s developed.</span></div>

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10 of the Best Franchise Investments Under $1 Million 

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Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

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<p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">How much can franchisees make? It’s a question many prospective owners ask before investing in a franchise. While earnings tend to be driven by variables such as industry, location and general management skills, a proper understanding of the key factors driving profitability can help franchise owners develop expectations that are realistic.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Multi-unit franchisee&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mangesh-patel-9368569/"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#1155cc;"><u>Mangesh Patel</u></span></a><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">, who’s readying the launch of six&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.beefobradysfranchise.com/"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#1155cc;"><u>Beef ‘O’ Brady’s</u></span></a><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;"> restaurant locations in the Macon, Georgia area, shares insights from his franchising experience.</span></p><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Understanding Franchise Income</span></h2><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Keeping operational costs in check can have a major impact on overall earnings. Taking a proactive approach to expenses such as food and labor, as well as payroll and scheduling, can help align actual franchise income with general expectations for the business.</span></p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">“I just had a meeting with a couple of people, and they said, ‘You talked about a 25% profit margin, but I’m only doing 12%.’ So, I looked at the figures they sent me,” Patel said. “Their&nbsp;</span><a href="https://1851franchise.com/calculate-restaurant-franchise-profit-2730476"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#1155cc;"><u>restaurant</u></span></a><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;"> food cost was running at 37%, which should be around 30%. The national average is about 32%. If I do things correctly, my average food cost needs to be at or below 30%. And payroll should run around 18%. But many people run 25 to 28%.”</span></p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">So,&nbsp;</span><a href="https://1851franchise.com/unraveling-franchise-earnings-how-much-can-you-really-make-2723935"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#1155cc;"><u>how much can franchisees make</u></span></a><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">? Here are five areas to consider.</span></p><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Practical Tips for Prospective Franchisees</span></h2><ol><li><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;"><strong>Control Costs From Day One:&nbsp;</strong>It’s important to monitor payroll, food and supply costs closely. Overstaffing and inefficiencies can quickly reduce profits.</span></li><li><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;"><strong>Plan For The Opening Surge:&nbsp;</strong>Traffic within the first few months of opening is likely to be higher. It’s important to adjust staffing and inventory accordingly, and pay close attention to how those levels change as time goes on.</span></li><li><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;"><strong>Invest In Training:&nbsp;</strong>Properly trained workers can help reduce waste and improve overall service, which has a direct effect on net income.</span></li><li><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;"><strong>Understand Your Market:&nbsp;</strong>Each market is unique and revenue potential will vary depending upon location, demographics and competition.</span></li><li><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;"><strong>Track Metrics Regularly:&nbsp;</strong>Food cost percentages, labor ratios and weekly sales data act as key indicators operations may need to be adjusted.</span></li></ol><h2><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">What Profitability Really Comes Down To</span></h2><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Patel notes that if franchise owners manage labor and costs properly, it’s not impossible to achieve strong cash flow even in the first year, bucking some franchising trends.</span></p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">So,&nbsp;</span><a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-can-you-make-as-a-franchise-owner-2724761"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#1155cc;"><u>how much can franchisees make</u></span></a><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">? While results tend to vary, careful planning, disciplined operations and a proactive approach to assessing initial costs are essential. But by grasping and guiding the elements that drive franchise profitability, franchise owners can maximize overall business earnings, scaling a business that’s sustainable financially over the long term.</span></p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;"><i>Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;</i></span><a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#467886;"><i><u>Power Rankings</u></i></span></a><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;"><i> to read more on brands making moves.</i></span></p>

How much can franchisees make? This guide explains what drives franchise earnings and how to manage costs, with expert tips from multi-unit owner Mangesh Patel on maximizing your franchise income.

How Much Can Franchisees Make? A Guide for Prospective Franchise Owners

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