1851

Here at 1851 Franchise, we love snacks and their uncomplicated comforts that keep us full in between meals. While the food and restaurant industry at large is facing <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/employee-management/inside-restaurant-industrys-critical-labor-shortage?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-snack-franchises-we-love-2716557" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">unprecedented labor shortages</a>, having a simple business model (like the ones snack franchises offer) that doesn’t rely on a wait staff is a <a href="https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/snack-food-production-industry/">sound investment</a> during these turbulent times.So, are you ready for a snack attack? Because 1851 Franchise has rounded up our top five snack franchises guaranteed to keep your tummy — and wallet — full!<h4><a href="https://wetzelsfranchising.com/what-it-takes/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-snack-franchises-we-love-2716557" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Wetzel’s Pretzel’s</a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $153,100-$471,350</li><li>Units: 309</li></ul>Oh, salty, buttery goodness! You’ve probably seen a Wetzel’s Pretzel’s at popular tourist spots like Disney Parks, Dodger Stadium and the Staples Center because warm pretzels go hand in hand with fun. Wetzel’s Pretzel’s, a pretzel franchise with more than 300 locations in the U.S. and Canada, has a profitable yet straightforward business model that provides customers with a primary menu filled with fresh offerings in a relatively short operation, not to mention — all the pretzels and lemonade your heart desires!<h4><a href="https://www.ownakona.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-snack-franchises-we-love-2716557" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kona Ice</a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $127,750-$151,550</li><li>Units: 1,310</li></ul>Ice, ice, baby! Kona Ice, a gourmet, shaved ice brand founded in Northern Kentucky, is one of the world’s largest food truck businesses serving sweet and delicious icy treats. However, it’s not just customers who are gaga over the shaved ice experience — Kona Ice has also found success with its franchisees. It has consistently been ranked #1 in Franchisee Satisfaction by Franchise Business Review for eight years. Another reason we love the brand is its guarantee that it will have franchisees up and running in 30-60 days, plus fixed royalties so that there are no penalties for succeeding. Now that’s a sweet deal!<h4><a href="https://www.tropicalsmoothiefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-snack-franchises-we-love-2716557" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tropical Smoothie Cafe</a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $198,500-$543,500</li><li>Units: 850</li></ul>What’s not to love about smoothies? They can be a quick, delicious and refreshing way to get nutrients from various plants and vegetables. This healthy fast-casual concept serves smoothies, sandwiches, flatbreads and wraps across the country. This fresh concept seems to work for the brand, as Tropical Smoothies says that 60% of the restaurant’s sales are from smoothies and the other 40% is from its other food offerings. Because of the two, Tropical Smoothie says that they can maintain sales across multiple meal times— breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack times.<h4><a href="https://www.healthyyouvending.com/business-concept/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-snack-franchises-we-love-2716557" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Healthy YOU Vending</a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $50,000</li></ul>You might want to turn to vending machines if you’re looking for another healthy snack franchise. Healthy YOU Vending sells healthy vending machines in the U.S. and currently leads the industry with its wide selection of snacks and drinks, like Izze and Pirate’s Booty, to meals and mini-meals like Miso Ramen. Healthy YOU provides potential entrepreneurs with a simple concept that allows those with a passion for wellness to join in on the trending space.<h4><a href="https://greatamericancookiesfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-snack-franchises-we-love-2716557" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Great American Cookies®&nbsp;</a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $277,400-$403,150&nbsp;</li><li>Units: 290</li></ul>You’ve seen them everywhere in the Southeast (and maybe even Guam), but did you know that the Great American Cookies franchise opportunity offers franchisees a sweet deal with a dessert concept? More than just a delectable cookie business, Great American Cookies offers co-branding opportunities with the brand’s parent company, <a href="https://www.fatbrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-snack-franchises-we-love-2716557" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">FAT Brands</a>, which also holds <a href="https://marbleslabfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-snack-franchises-we-love-2716557" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Marble Slab Creamery</a>®, <a href="https://pretzelmakerfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-snack-franchises-we-love-2716557" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pretzel Maker</a>®, <a href="https://hotdogonastickfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-snack-franchises-we-love-2716557" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Hot Dog on a Stick</a>® and&nbsp; <a href="https://roundtablepizzafranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-snack-franchises-we-love-2716557" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Round Table Pizza</a>®.

Top 5 Snack Franchises for Profitable Ventures | 1851 Franchise

1851 Franchise

Snack franchises are here to stay, as the industry at large is expected to weather the economic downtown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

5 Snack Franchises We Love

5-snack-franchises-we-love

ServiceMaster Restore

ServiceMaster Restore Powers Into the Second Half of 2025 With Growth and Purpose-Driven Impact

ServiceMaster Restore Powers Into the Second Half of 2025 With Strong Growth and Purpose-Driven Impact

servicemaster-restore-powers-into-the-second-half-of-2025-with-strong-growth-and-purpose-driven-impact

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers - Midyear Press Release 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Comfort Keepers® Hits Mid-Year Stride With Strong Franchise Growth and Rising Demand for In-Home Care

comfort-keepers-franchise-midyear-momentum-2025

petbar

petbar - Garrett Dewan - Why I'm Investing - 1851 Franchise

Why Garrett Dewan Is Choosing To Reinvest in petbar

petbar-franchise-austin-garrett-dewan-multi-unit

Paris Baguette

NJBIZ: Paris Baguette Ramps Up Expansion With New Franchises, Facility and 2030 Growth Target

njbiz-paris-baguette-ramps-up-expansion-with-new-franchises-facility-and-2030-growth-target

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-2025

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

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

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

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

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

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

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

5 Snack Franchises We Love

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS