1851

Today’s market is filled with franchise business; almost every other business we pass is a franchise. In fact, research firm <a href="https://franchiseeconomy.com/assets/26604.pdfhere-most-franchisors-break/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-once-famous-food-franchises-you-didnt-know-are-still-operating-2718278#:~:text=FRANdata%20reported%20at%20the%20start,new%20franchisees%20enter%20the%20market." target="_blank" rel="nofollow">FRANdata reported</a> in 2019 that there were approximately 773,603 franchise establishments in the U.S. Additionally, in any given year, 250-350 new brands elect to franchise.&nbsp;But with all the growth of new brands, there are some once-famous yet still consistent brands that have remained beacons of the franchising world, though they might have temporarily slipped your mind: A&amp;W Restaurants, Kona Ice, Carvel, Sonic and Dairy Queen.&nbsp;<h4>A&amp;W Restaurants</h4>As the oldest restaurant franchise in the U.S., started in 1919 by founder Roy W. Allen (and then joined by partner Frank Wright in 1922), <a href="https://franchising.awrestaurants.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-once-famous-food-franchises-you-didnt-know-are-still-operating-2718278" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">A&amp;W Restaurants</a> has stamina. As of 2019, the brand had more than 625 restaurants in the continental U.S. and Alaska, and 340 units internationally.&nbsp;<h4>Kona Ice</h4><a href="https://www.ownakona.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-once-famous-food-franchises-you-didnt-know-are-still-operating-2718278" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kona Ice</a>, one of the newer franchises on this list, started in 2007 – but the momentum continues with the brand’s low overhead and ability for franchise partners to move the shaved-ice truck around. Currently, there are more than 1,000 trucks in 48 states, and the brand continues to grow.&nbsp;<h4>Carvel&nbsp;</h4><a href="https://carvelfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-once-famous-food-franchises-you-didnt-know-are-still-operating-2718278" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Carvel</a> was founded in 1934 by Tom Carvel and has remained an American ice cream staple, best known for its soft-serve ice cream and ice-cream cakes. With 323 locations scattered among 19 states, it may be tricky finding a location to try Carvel’s tasty treats, but the good news is that this iconic brand is still franchising.&nbsp;<h4>Sonic</h4><a href="https://sonicfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-once-famous-food-franchises-you-didnt-know-are-still-operating-2718278" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sonic</a> began in the late 1950s as a drive-in classic, and the trend hasn’t faded, with diners still flocking to the brand’s more than 3,500 locations in 45 states for their favorite bites, sodas and milkshakes.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h4>Dairy Queen&nbsp;</h4><a href="https://www.dairyqueenfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-once-famous-food-franchises-you-didnt-know-are-still-operating-2718278" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dairy Queen</a> began franchising the same year as its founding (1940), and now the brand has 4,360 locations in 49 states. Although it’s not a top-of-mind brand for many consumers in a world where we are overloaded with options, Dairy Queen has consistently been among the most persistent entries on the Franchise 500 list, appearing in more than 95% of those lists since 1979.

5 Once-Famous Food Franchises You Didn't Know Are Still Operating

1851 Franchise

These thriving franchise brands – Kona Ice, Carvel, Sonic, Dairy Queen and A&W Restaurants – have stood the test of time, garnering loyal customers and franchise partners decade after decade. 

5-once-famous-food-franchises-you-didnt-know-are-still-operating

CapitalSpring

Graphic with orange chart and hand pointing at graph

CapitalSpring Closes on Initial $505 Million of $1 Billion Target just Two Months After the Launch of its Seventh Flagship Investment Fund 

capitalspring-closes-505m-fund-vii

Children's Lighthouse

How Families Are Building Brighter Futures Together With Children’s Lighthouse

how-families-are-building-brighter-futures-together-with-childrens-lighthouse

One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning

One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning Franchise - Paul and Will Harris - 1851 Franchise

Keeping the Crystal Coast Comfortable: How a Father-Son Duo Brought One Hour HVAC to Their Community

one-hour-heating-ac-franchise-paul-will-harris-crystal-coast

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions: A Recession-Resistant Franchise Opportunity for Entrepreneurs

caring-transitions-a-recession-resistant-franchise-opportunity-for-entrepreneurs

Minuteman Press International

L-R: Bob Titus (CEO), Eric Shank (Catonsville, MD), Bob Heimbuch (RVP), and Nick Titus (President).

Minuteman Press Franchise Owner Eric Shank Recognized at World Expo

minuteman-press-franchise-owner-eric-shank-earns-standing-ovation-at-world-expo-for-growth-in-catonsville-md

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

AI-related job cuts, October U.S. job cuts, American job cut record

AI-Fueled Layoffs Reshape the U.S. Job Market — And Highlight Franchising’s Resilience

ai-job-cuts-franchising-path-forward

Crunch Fitness Franchise - Sixth Street Minority Stake - CR Fitness - 1851 Franchise

Sixth Street Takes Minority Stake in CR Fitness, the Largest Crunch Fitness Franchisee

cr-fitness-crunch-fitness-sixth-street-investment

houses, Why Top Franchises of 2025 Outperform Independent Businesses

Why the Top Franchises of 2025 Outperform Independent Businesses

how-franchises-outperform-independent-business-2025-tech-data

Photo of Happinest Brands teams standing together in front of branded vehicles

Happinest Brands Continues Strong 2025 Trajectory With Major Q3 Growth and Strategic Wins

happinest-brands-q3-franchise-growth

Franchise Owners Step Up To Support Communities During Government Shutdown - 1851 Franchise

Franchise Owners Step Up To Support Communities During Government Shutdown

franchise-community-support-shutdown

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

Why Franchise Due Diligence Is Like Marriage: An Interview with Joe Manuszak of UNITS Moving and Portable Storage

joe-manuszak-franchise-due-diligence-units-portable-storage

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

woof-gang-bakery-grooming-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

image of bubbly paws franchise financial deep dive from 1851 franchise

Bubbly Paws Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

bubbly-paws-franchise-costs-fees-profit

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

5 Once-Famous Food Franchises You Didn't Know Are Still Operating

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS