15 Emerging Restaurant Franchises to Watch in 2024

Americans are constantly exploring new dining experiences, which might explain why food and beverage franchise concepts make up 36% of all franchised establishments in the United States, according to the IFA. The restaurant industry is constantly evolving, offering new and exciting concepts that cater to the changing tastes and preferences of consumers. For entrepreneurs, this dynamic landscape presents numerous opportunities to invest in innovative and emerging franchises that promise growth and profitability. With over 3,000 unique franchise concepts in the U.S., choosing the right one can be overwhelming. 

Here are 15 top emerging restaurant franchises to consider for 2024.

Sunny Street Cafe

Brand Development Page

• Initial Investment: $464,545 - $1,307,514
• Unit Count: 22

Sunny Street Cafe offers a warm, community-focused dining experience with a menu that emphasizes fresh, wholesome breakfast and lunch options, including its beloved pancakes. With a simple operational model, low prime costs and a devoted following, the brand is paving the way for investors to thrive in the dynamic and rewarding breakfast and lunch segment. The brand boasts a reported average unit volume (AUV) of $1.266 million across 12 franchise restaurants.

Grégoire

Brand Development Page

• Initial Investment: $353,794 - $612,990
• Unit Count: 1

Grégoire combines gourmet French cuisine with a casual dining atmosphere, offering handcrafted, high-quality dishes. The franchise’s unique positioning in the market and dedication to using fresh, local ingredients provide a distinct edge. For example, Grégoire’s unique culinary hub-to-store kitchen model creates an even simpler, more streamlined operation than traditional fast-casual restaurants. These hubs will serve as preparation and distribution centers for the fresh, housemade ingredients that make Chef Grégoire Jacquet’s offering stand out against the competition. This means the concept requires a minimal brick-and-mortar footprint and staffing. 

CHOP5

Brand Development Page

• Initial Investment: $406,700 - $923,700
• Unit Count: 3

CHOP5 focuses on healthy, customizable salads and bowls, catering to the growing demand for fresh, nutritious meal options. Contrary to popular health food and salad chains such as Sweetgreen and Chopt, which are not available for franchising, CHOP5 shines as an exceptional case where the concept is designed entirely with the franchisee’s success in mind. That is because the brand was designed by five long-time franchisees who collectively oversee more than 400 restaurants nationwide — built by franchisees, for franchisees. 

Modern Market Eatery

Brand Development Page

• Initial Investment: $928,500 - $1,468,750
• Unit Count: 30+

Modern Market Eatery emphasizes clean, farm-to-table ingredients and offers a diverse menu of health-conscious meals. Modern Market delivers with its chef-inspired menu, double-sided production line allowing for scratch-cooking at quick-service restaurant (QSR) speed and a tech-forward approach to ordering and delivery. The Modern Market brand also boasts the buying power of an 800-unit chain thanks to its ownership under Modern Restaurant Concepts. This synergy provides franchise partners with unparalleled access to top-tier equipment and food costs, making it an attractive option for entrepreneurs looking to make a mark in the fast-casual dining world.

Melting Pot

Brand Development Page

• Initial Investment: $1,364,389 - $2,069,638
• Unit Count: 97+

Melting Pot provides a unique fondue dining experience, perfect for social gatherings and special occasions. Recently, Melting Pot has been working to remodel restaurants throughout the entire system, bringing a refreshed look to the spaces and expanding the variety of experiences guests can take advantage of in-restaurant while staying true to the warm, welcoming atmosphere it is known for. Melting Pot is an affiliate of Front Burner Brands, a restaurant management company headquartered in Tampa, Florida.

Southern Classic Chicken

Brand Development Page

• Initial Investment: $472,250 - $963,250
• Unit Count: 17+

Southern Classic Chicken delivers authentic, flavorful fried chicken in a fast-casual setting, appealing to traditional Southern cuisine lovers. One quality that Southern Classic Chicken is well known for is its drive-thru and walk-up model. Though this is something many brands adopted out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has always had drive-thrus and walk-up windows from the beginning. This model has not only made operations easier for franchisees, but allows customers to get their orders faster. 

Shuckin’ Shack

Brand Development Page

• Initial Investment: $472,000 - $1,416,420
• Unit Count: 19

Shuckin’ Shack offers a relaxed, coastal dining experience with a focus on fresh seafood and a fun, community-oriented atmosphere. Shuckin’ Shack has differentiated itself within the fast-casual segment with its small square footage requirement, low inventory and minimum waste, smaller staff sizes and maximum return on investment. Plus, the oyster bar is uniquely positioned in the market as it has no direct national competition

Atomic Wings*

Brand Development Page

• Initial Investment: $180,900 - $538,500
• Unit Count: 25+

Atomic Wings specializes in buffalo-style chicken wings with a variety of heat levels and flavors, catering to wing enthusiasts. An exceptional support infrastructure has helped Atomic Wings franchisees grow faster than franchisees at other fast-casual brands — and word is spreading. Atomic Wings’ beloved menu and winning business model has earned the brand recognition on national television, including The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, CNN Money, CBS News and more.

Layne’s Chicken Fingers*

Brand Development Page

• Initial Investment: $446,500 - $1,015,000
• Unit Count: 16

Layne’s Chicken Fingers offers a simple yet delicious menu centered around its namesake staple chicken fingers, creating a cult-like following. Franchisees who join the system will benefit from decades of combined experience in the leadership team, a proven business model and a modern flexibility that keeps Layne’s current without sacrificing what makes the model special. Layne’s has worked diligently to create a flexible real estate model, embracing drive-thru-only, in-line, endcap and stand-alone locations.

Bubbakoo’s Burritos

• Initial Investment: $161,750 - $518,750
• Unit Count: 100+

Bubbakoo’s Burritos blends Mexican and American flavors to create unique, customizable burritos and bowls in a hybrid skater-surf atmosphere. Having expanded rapidly since franchising in 2008, the brand is now looking to reach 200+ locations by 2025, primarily focused on the Northeast and Southeast. 

Angry Chickz

• Initial Investment: $275,000 - $500,000
• Unit Count: 15+
• Meet the Zor Podcast: Mike LaRue of Angry Chickz

Angry Chickz specializes in Nashville-style hot chicken, delivering a spicy and satisfying dining experience. The brand aims to deliver “life-changing chicken” by keeping operations simple, offering only chicken, coleslaw, fries and mac n’ cheese. The results are impressive — the top 33% of the system saw an AUV of $2,783,325 in 2023, according to the brand’s website. 

Buena Papa Fry Bar

• Initial Investment: $300,000 - $500,000
• Unit Count: 5+

Buena Papa Fry Bar serves gourmet fries with a variety of creative toppings, appealing to those looking for a unique and indulgent snack. The franchise’s simple operational model and focus on quality ingredients make it easy for franchisees to manage. Buena Papa Fry Bar won the “Best Fries” award at the 2022 WRAL Voter’s Choice Awards.

Epic Wings

• Initial Investment: $419,100 - $982,000
• Unit Count: 22+

Epic Wings provides high-quality, flavorful chicken wings and tenders in a fast-casual environment, ideal for wing lovers. The franchise’s business model emphasizes simplicity and operational efficiency, boasting over 40 years of experience with wings. Franchisees receive thorough training, marketing support and ongoing operational assistance.

Straw Hat Pizza

• Initial Investment: $215,000 - $530,000
• Unit Count: 28+

Straw Hat Pizza offers a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere with a menu featuring California-style pizza and fresh ingredients. The franchise’s focus on quality and community engagement makes it a popular choice. Owners can tap into a variety of revenue streams, including: dine-in, pickup and delivery, online ordering, beer and wine, catering, food trucks, sporting events, parties and games for kids.

Bar-B-Cutie Smokehouse

• Initial Investment: $663,649 to $2,080,491.
• Unit Count: 20+

Bar-B-Cutie Smokehouse specializes in authentic Southern barbecue, offering a diverse menu of smoked meats and traditional sides. All meats are smoked on-site daily. The brand offers a pit master training course so franchisees can tap into the 75+ years of BBQ experience. With its new smokehouse concept, the brand aims to be the first name brand BBQ franchise in the nation.

Investing in an emerging restaurant franchise provides an opportunity to tap into innovative concepts and growing markets. Each of these franchises offers unique selling points and proven business models, making them excellent choices for potential franchisees.

Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.