1851 Franchise’s Fastest Growing Emerging Franchises of 2026: Biscuit Belly

• Brand: Biscuit Belly
• Number of Units: 13
• Initial Investment Range: $824,000 - $1,341,500
• ROI Potential: $1,262,090 (average gross receipts for franchises, FY 2024)
• Units Sold Last Year: 6
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Biscuit Belly has officially earned a place on 1851 Franchise’s 2026 Fastest Growing Emerging Franchises list — a recognition that highlights brands shaping the future of franchising through innovation, momentum and strong demand. As interest from franchisees continues to climb, Biscuit Belly is entering a pivotal phase of expansion.

“We have a great brand and model. With our single shift model, very creative menu, really fun interiors — it attracts a lot of people,” said Chad Coulter, founder and CEO of Biscuit Belly. 

History and Origin Story

Biscuit Belly was founded in 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky, by Coulter and his wife, Lauren. Trained as pharmacists, the Coulters were no strangers to the restaurant industry, having previously built LouVino, a wine-and-small-plates concept that expanded to multiple locations. With that experience, they developed Biscuit Belly as a brunch-focused concept centered on scratch-made Southern biscuits. The company began franchising in 2020.

“We've really been focused on building our pipeline with good franchisees and solid locations, which are really two of the biggest hurdles,” Coulter said. “We feel like we've got the brand figured out and we're always going to be innovating, but from where we were three years ago to where we are today and the people that we have, it's been quite an interesting and fun experience to build this the right way from the ground up.”

Why the Franchise Stands Out

Biscuit Belly’s model is designed around simplicity, lifestyle balance and a memorable guest experience. Its single-shift operating hours allow franchisees and staff to avoid late nights, while the brand’s colorful interiors, creative menu and approachable culture resonate strongly with customers.

“It allows for a work-life balance. And I think being a part of something from the ground up really excites people versus just being another number,” Coulter said. “They can call the founder and CEO — they have my phone number. If they want to chat about something, they have that ability to do so.”

System Growth and 2026 Momentum

Biscuit Belly ended 2025 well-positioned to reach about 20 open locations by the close of 2026. With six leases secured during the year and a new restaurant opening in Summerville, South Carolina, the company heads into the next year with one of the most promising expansion trajectories it has seen to date.

“Our stores are as profitable as they've ever been,” Coulter said. “We can share that story with potential franchisees. We're also building our own company-owned stores, as well as on the franchising side. People really like to see that we're putting our money where our mouth is.”

Why Now Is the Moment for Franchisees

After several years of refining the concept and tightening operations, Biscuit Belly is entering a stage of acceleration. The brand has moved past the early trial-and-error phase and is now seeing consistent performance across its restaurants.

“I think we’re seeing the fruits of our labor in today's brand and how well we're operating our stores,” Coulter said. 

For franchisees, this is a chance to get in while the system is still small, the leadership team is accessible and the best markets are still available — without taking a flyer on something untested.

Looking Ahead

As Biscuit Belly moves into 2026 and beyond, the brand is focused on unlocking new revenue streams and deepening customer engagement. Catering has already become a meaningful contributor to systemwide sales, and the brand is now investing in dedicated resources to grow that channel further.

“We’re probably over 10% on an average weekly basis brandwide for catering sales,” Coulter said. “We just hired an in-house catering sales team to really push that.”

At the same time, Biscuit Belly plans to lean more heavily into its loyalty platform after several years of building its user base.

As Biscuit Belly moves into its next phase of expansion, the brand’s emphasis on lifestyle balance and hands-on leadership continues to resonate with prospective owners. That combination has positioned the concept to grow steadily while maintaining the operational discipline that has defined its early success.

Stay tuned throughout the rest of the month for 1851 Franchise's full Fastest Growing Emerging Franchises series to explore the other innovative brands making waves in the industry.