1851

Over the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the restaurant industry, forcing franchisors to innovate in order to stay open. Now, emerging franchisors are continuing to adapt their business models and stay nimble in the face of ongoing challenges, such as supply chain issues, labor shortages and more. With <a href="https://1851franchise.com/restaurants-brace-for-post-pandemic-pent-up-demand-2715220">pent-up consumer demand</a> for on-site dining, group gatherings and parties growing by the minute, the big brands of tomorrow are just getting going today.&nbsp;1851 Franchise has compiled a list of some of the best emerging restaurants to invest in right now.&nbsp;<h4><a href="https://famoustoastery.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-emerging-food-franchises-that-may-be-the-next-big-thing-2718296" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Famous Toastery</a></h4><ul><li>Startup Costs: $601,500 to $1,044,000</li><li>Unit Count: 30+</li></ul><a href="https://1851franchise.com/famoustoastery">Famous Toastery</a> gives franchisees an opportunity to “Be Famous” in their communities by leveraging a business with a track record for growth in a high-demand market segment and a lifestyle proposition that allows for flexibility and family time. Famous Toastery is making a name for itself thanks to quality ingredients and a commitment to excelling in the better-breakfast segment. Amid COVID-19, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/famoustoastery/famous-toastery-forges-a-path-for-franchisees-to-recover-in-covid-era-2714018">Famous Toastery didn’t slow down</a> like other restaurant brands did; it actually revamped its franchising efforts and implemented a brand-new POS system for owners.<h4><a href="https://walkonsfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-emerging-food-franchises-that-may-be-the-next-big-thing-2718296" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux</a></h4><ul><li>Startup Costs: $1,184,000 to $4,430,700</li><li>Unit Count: 61</li></ul>Walk-On’s Bistreaux &amp; Bar is a leading full-service family sports bar that provides gourmet takes on game-day favorites. Walk-On’s was founded in 2003 by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-landry-b58793132/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-emerging-food-franchises-that-may-be-the-next-big-thing-2718296" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Brandon Landry</a>, a former walk-on basketball player at Louisiana State University. Leaning on the true spirit of a walk-on and building a winning culture, the brand is rapidly expanding across the United States with a Louisiana-inspired menu featuring food and drinks made from scratch daily. Walk On’s was ranked the No. 1 brand in Entrepreneur magazine's <a href="https://www.businessreport.com/newsletters/walk-ons-named-no-1-new-franchise-by-entrepreneur?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-emerging-food-franchises-that-may-be-the-next-big-thing-2718296" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">2020 Top New Franchises</a> and also named Entrepreneur's "<a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/walk-ons-sports-bistreaux-ranked-no-1-in-entrepreneurs-2020-top-new-franchises-ranking-301051401.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-emerging-food-franchises-that-may-be-the-next-big-thing-2718296" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">#1 Best Sports Bar Franchise</a>" for two consecutive years.<h4><a href="https://www.oathpizza.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-emerging-food-franchises-that-may-be-the-next-big-thing-2718296" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Oath Pizza</a></h4><ul><li>Startup Costs: $350,000 to $505,200</li><li>Unit Count: 29</li></ul><a href="https://1851franchise.com/oathpizza/oath-pizza-looks-to-grow-its-feel-good-brand-by-awarding-more-than-a-dozen-new-franchises-by-end-of-2022-2716542">Oath Pizza</a> is a fast-growing craft pizza brand that has reimagined the pizza experience. Founded in a small seaside shop on Nantucket Island in 2015, Oath Pizza now has 29 locations, and the brand and business have been built to scale with a unique product, effective positioning and efficient business model. Oath Pizza operates with a <a href="https://1851franchise.com/oathpizza/forbes-a-smaller-footprint-and-franchise-model-is-helping-oath-pizza-grow-2717936">smaller footprint</a> than most of their competitors, which requires fewer employees, a benefit throughout the <a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-long-term-effects-of-the-restaurant-industrys-labor-shortage-we-arent-thinking-about-2716084">recent labor shortages</a>. The small footprint also allows for a streamlined kitchen, which has helped with <a href="https://1851franchise.com/supply-chain-crisis-should-franchise-brands-turn-to-hoarding-2717359">supply chain issues</a> throughout the past year.<h4><a href="https://aroogasfranchising.net/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-emerging-food-franchises-that-may-be-the-next-big-thing-2718296" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Arooga's Grille House &amp; Sports Bar</a></h4><ul><li>Startup Costs: $1,313,400 to $3,996,900&nbsp;</li><li>Unit Count: 20</li></ul>This small East Coast chain with a casual bar and American-style menu was founded in 2008 in Pennsylvania and currently has 20 locations, but it’s rapidly expanding, with more than 100 deals in the works across the Northeast region of the country. Arooga’s started franchising in 2014 and is best known for winning the "<a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160517005235/en/%E2%80%9CAmerica%E2%80%99s-Next-Top-Restaurant-Franchise%E2%80%9D-Winner-Arooga%E2%80%99s-Grille-House-Sports-Bar-Employs-NCR-Technology-to-Grow-Simplify-Operations?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-emerging-food-franchises-that-may-be-the-next-big-thing-2718296" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">America's Next Top Restaurant Franchise</a>" competition in 2010. More recently, the brand was recognized among Entrepreneur’s <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/500/2020?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-emerging-food-franchises-that-may-be-the-next-big-thing-2718296" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Top 500 Franchises of 2020</a> and <a href="https://www.franchise500.com/article/354180?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-emerging-food-franchises-that-may-be-the-next-big-thing-2718296" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Top 200 Food Franchises 2020</a>.<h4><a href="https://www.shuckinshackfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-emerging-food-franchises-that-may-be-the-next-big-thing-2718296" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Shuckin’ Shack</a></h4><ul><li>Startup Costs: $252,700 to $776,750</li><li>Unit Count: 16</li></ul><a href="https://1851franchise.com/shuckinshack/">Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar</a> grew out of a vision for a local establishment that would appeal to families of all ages – a place where friends and family can enjoy fresh, delicious meals and creative cocktails in an environment that exudes relaxation. Amid the challenges of the pandemic, Shuckin’ Shack has proven to be <a href="https://shuckinshackfranchise.com/how-did-our-seafood-restaurant-franchise-weather-the-covid-storm/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-emerging-food-franchises-that-may-be-the-next-big-thing-2718296" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">uniquely well positioned</a>, with a small square-footage requirement, low inventory and minimum waste, smaller staff sizes and maximum return on investment. The team has also continued to adapt in order to <a href="https://shuckinshackfranchise.com/seafood-restaurant-franchise-ceo-shares-labor-shortage-strategy/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-emerging-food-franchises-that-may-be-the-next-big-thing-2718296" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">overcome staffing shortages</a> and ensure franchisees are able to grow.

5 Emerging Food Franchises That May Be the Next Big Thing

1851 Franchise

As restaurant franchisors adapt to the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, several brands are emerging as uniquely well positioned for the future.

5-emerging-food-franchises-that-may-be-the-next-big-thing

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Photo of HomeTeam Inspection Service representative giving presentation

Strategic Partnerships Fuel Franchise Growth at HomeTeam Inspection Service

hometeam-inspection-service-franchise-growth-partnerships

Express Employment Professionals

What’s in the 2025 FDD? A Closer Look for Express Employment Professionals Franchise Buyers

whats-in-the-2025-fdd-a-closer-look-for-express-employment-professionals-franchise-buyers

petbar

How-petbar-Makes-Pets-and-Their-Owners-Happy-as-Part-of-the-Family-in-a-Clean-and-Fun-Environment

How petbar Makes Pets and Their Owners Happy as Part of the Family in a Clean and Fun Environment

petbar-franchise-opportunity-boutique-pet-grooming

petbar Franchisees Win the $6.89B Global Market With Complete Transparency, Self-Service and Membership Models, Creating the Happiest Place for Dogs

petbar-franchise-opportunity

Why petbar Wants to Be the “Disney World for Dogs” — and a Dream Business for Franchisees

petbar-franchise-dan-ashley-o-loughlin-qa

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

Hardee’s Lawsuit Highlights the Risk of Going Off-Model in Franchising

hardees-franchise-lawsuit-paradigm-investment-group

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-costs-fees-2025

911 Restoration Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

911-restoration-franchise-deep-dive

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

5 Emerging Food Franchises That May Be the Next Big Thing

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS