1851

<p>The restaurant industry had a rough year in 2020, but franchise brands outperformed their indie counterparts, and everyone still needs to eat. The pandemic forced restaurants to innovate away from traditional dine-in settings and come up with offerings that translate well off-premise.&nbsp;</p><p>Now is an especially interesting time to invest in restaurants, as the big brands of tomorrow are probably just getting going today. Below, 1851 Franchise has compiled a list of some of the best restaurants to invest in right now.&nbsp;</p><h4><a href="https://shuckinshackfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $252,700-$776,750</li><li>Units: 16</li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/shuckinshack/executive.html"><u>1851 Brand Newsroom</u></a></li></ul><h4><a href="https://checkersfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Checkers &amp; Rally’s</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $254,000-$1,431,000</li><li>Units: 820+</li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/checkers"><u>1851 Brand Newsroom</u></a></li></ul><h4><a href="https://slimchickensfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Slim Chickens</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $915,900-$1,714,000</li><li>Units: 121+</li></ul><h4><a href="https://franchise.teriyakimadness.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Teriyaki Madness</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $322,000-$862,000</li><li>Units: 200+</li></ul><h4><a href="https://beefobradysfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Beef ‘O’ Brady’s</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $806,825-$1,288,350</li><li>Units: 150</li></ul><h4><a href="https://famoustoastery.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Famous Toastery</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $601,500-$1,029,500</li><li>Units: 25+</li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/famoustoastery/info"><u>1851 Brand Newsroom</u></a></li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.toppers.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Toppers Pizza</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $315,550-$528,500</li><li>Units: 83</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.famousdaves.com/FranchiseOpportunities?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u><span class="brand-highlight">Famous Dave&#x2019;s*</span></u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $482,000-$4,200,000</li><li>Units: 120+&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.famousdaves.com/FranchiseOpportunities?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>1851 Brand Newsroom</u></a></li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.mightyquinnsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Mighty Quinn’s BBQ</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $738,488-$896,334</li><li>Units: 7</li></ul><h4><a href="https://thegreeneturtle.com/about/franchise-information/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>The Greene Turtle Bar &amp; Grille</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $1,455,000-$1,757,500</li><li>Units: 37</li></ul><h4><a href="https://franchise.mooyah.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>MOOYAH Burgers, Fries &amp; Shakes</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $403,750-$639,100</li><li>Units: 83</li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/mooyah/info"><u>1851 Brand Newsroom</u></a></li></ul><h4><a href="https://franchise.chebahut.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Cheba Hut</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $463,500-$746,500</li><li>Units: 42</li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/chebahut/info"><u>1851 Brand Newsroom</u></a></li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.atomicwings.com/franchising?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u><span class="brand-highlight">Atomic Wings*</span></u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $170,400-$377,355</li><li>Units: 21&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/atomicwings/info"><u>1851 Brand Newsroom</u></a></li></ul><h4><a href="https://franchise.littlecaesars.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Little Caesars Pizza</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $221,000-$654,000</li><li>Units: 5,463&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/littlecaesarsinternational/latest_stories"><u>1851 Brand Newsroom</u></a></li></ul><h4><a href="https://wingzonefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Wing Zone</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $250,000</li><li>Units: 90+&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/wingzone/info"><u>1851 Brand Newsroom</u></a></li></ul><h4><a href="https://ownabuffalo.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Buffalo Wings &amp; Rings</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $1,280,000-$2,412,000</li><li>Units: 80+</li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/buffalowingsandrings/info"><u>1851 Brand Newsroom</u></a></li></ul><h4><a href="https://fostersfreeze.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Foster’s Freeze</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $611,500-$1,009,000</li><li>Units: 65+</li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/fostersfreeze/info"><u>1851 Brand Newsroom</u></a></li></ul><h4><a href="http://www.tacobellfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Taco Bell</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $570,600-$3,049,100</li><li>Units: 7,100+</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.dunkinfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Dunkin’</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $97,500-$1,717,103</li><li>Units: 12,960</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.popeyes.com/development?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $383,500-$2,620,800</li><li>Units: 3,315</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.culvers.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Culver’s</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $2,349,000-$5,356,000</li><li>Units: 735&nbsp;</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.jerseymikes.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Jersey Mike’s Subs</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $169,001-$804,045</li><li>Units: 1,870+</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/about-us/franchising/acquiring-franchising.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>McDonald’s</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $1,008,000-$2,214,080</li><li>Units: 38,695</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.tropicalsmoothiefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Tropical Smoothie Cafe</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $198,500-$543,500</li><li>Units: 830+</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.wingstop.com/own-a-wingstop?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Wingstop Restaurants, Inc.</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $374,089-$782,442</li><li>Units: 30</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.kfc.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>KFC US LLC</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $1,300,000-$2,500,000</li><li>Units: 22,621</li></ul><h4><a href="https://sonicfranchises.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Sonic Drive-In</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $361,900-$978,700</li><li>Units: 3,496</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.freddysfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021-2715223" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Freddy’s Frozen Custard &amp; Steakburgers</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $640,552-$1,131,726</li><li>Units: 380</li></ul>

Best Restaurant Franchises of 2021

1851 Franchise

Looking for a top-notch restaurant franchise to invest in? See below for our top picks.

best-restaurant-franchises-of-2021

Children's Lighthouse

Children’s Lighthouse Wraps Up Q1 With Two New Openings and Continued Industry Recognition

childrens-lighthouse-wraps-up-q1-with-two-new-openings-and-continued-industry-recognition

Happy Joe’s Franchising

Why Texas Is the Perfect State To Open a Happy Joe’s Franchise

why-texas-is-the-perfect-state-to-open-a-happy-joes-franchise

Seniors Helping Seniors®

Photo of two people, with white hair, sitting on couch, smiling at each other

Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Services Expands in Manassas and Fredericksburg, Virginia

seniors-helping-seniors-in-home-care-services-expands-in-manassas-and-fredericksburg-virginia

BooXkeeping

Tech-Driven Bookkeeping: How BooXkeeping Franchisees Are Embracing the Future

tech-driven-bookkeeping-how-booxkeeping-franchisees-are-embracing-the-future

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier's State-of-the-Art Facilities and Multi-Discipline Approach Fuels Franchise Owner Success

fitness-premiers-state-of-the-art-facilities-and-multi-discipline-approach-fuels-franchise-owner-success

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 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

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

FAT Brands Becomes First Restaurant Franchise To Accept Bitcoin for Royalty Payments

fat-brands-becomes-first-restaurant-franchise-to-accept-bitcoin-for-royalty-payments

Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs To Retire in 2026 After 36 Years With the Company

yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company

Hooters Bankruptcy - Chapter 11 - April 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Files for Bankruptcy, Sells Restaurants to Franchisee Group

hooters-bankruptcy-chapter-11-april-2025

Fly Dance Fitness Expands With First Franchise Location in Georgia

fly-dance-fitness-franchise-expansion

Franchise Deep Dive: Studio Pilates Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

franchise-deep-dive-studio-pilates-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Franchise Deep Dive: The UPS Store Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit, and Data

franchise-deep-dive-the-ups-store-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Lindora’s New President Discusses Franchise Growth and the Future of Health and Wellness

lindoras-new-president-discusses-franchise-growth-and-the-future-of-health-and-wellness

SoBol’s President and COO Shares Growth Journey and Franchise Vision

sobols-president-and-coo-shares-growth-journey-and-franchise-vision

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

Military Veteran and Craft Beer Enthusiast to Bring Voodoo Brewing Co. to Toledo, Ohio

military-veteran-and-craft-beer-enthusiast-to-bring-voodoo-brewing-co-to-toledo-ohio

Best Restaurant Franchises of 2021

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS