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

Uni K Wax

Entrepreneur: Why This Executive Bought Uni K Wax to Lead Its Growth

entrepreneur-why-this-executive-bought-uni-k-wax-to-lead-its-growth

Minuteman Press International

Minuteman Press franchise owner Jesse Gaither (left) and team, Centerville, Ohio.

Minuteman Press Franchise Grows in the Heart of Centerville, Ohio

minuteman-press-franchise-grows-in-the-heart-of-centerville-ohio

World Gym

World Gym’s Healdsburg Location Named as North America’s “World Gym of the Year”

world-gyms-healdsburg-location-named-as-north-americas-world-gym-of-the-year

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions Targets South Bend, Indiana, for Franchise Growth

caring-transitions-targets-south-bend-indiana-for-franchise-growth

Footprints Floors

Why Franchising with Footprints Floors Is Recession-Resistant

why-franchising-with-footprints-floors-is-recession-resistant

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

Login

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

1851 Agg - Empower Brands 6 Franchises Named to FBR's 2025 Top Franchises List - 1851 Franchise

Empower Brands Celebrates Six Franchises Named to Franchise Business Review’s 2025 Top Franchises List

empower-brands-celebrates-six-franchises-named-to-franchise-business-reviews-2025-top-franchises-list

DOJ FTC Antitrust Guidelines - Franchise News - 1851 Franchise

DOJ and FTC Issue New Antitrust Guidelines with Implications for Franchising

doj-and-ftc-issue-new-antitrust-guidelines-with-implications-for-franchising

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

Yum Brands - KFC - Pizza Hut - Terminates Franchise Agreements in Turkey - 1851 Franchise

Yum! Brands Terminates Franchise Agreements in Turkey Due to Non-Compliance

yum-brands-terminates-franchise-agreements-in-turkey-due-to-non-compliance

Recent Franchise News - Why Franchisors Churn Through Marketing Suppliers - 1851 Franchise

Forbes: Four Reasons Why Franchisors Churn Through Marketing Suppliers

forbes-four-reasons-why-franchisors-churn-through-marketing-suppliers

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

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

Trua Senior Living Locators CEO Discusses Franchising Success and a Clinical Approach to Senior Placement

trua-senior-living-locators-ceo-discusses-franchising-success-and-a-clinical-approach-to-senior-placement

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

Happy Joe’s President and CEO Discusses Turnaround and Vision for Legacy Growth

happy-joes-president-and-ceo-discusses-turnaround-and-vision-for-legacy-growth

Lucas Hamm Brings Compassionate Care to Eagan, Minnesota with Right at Home Franchise

lucas-hamm-brings-compassionate-care-to-eagan-minnesota-with-right-at-home-franchise

How a Hotel Valuation Expert Accidentally Found Success with the Sola Salons Franchise

how-a-hotel-valuation-expert-accidentally-found-success-with-the-sola-salons-franchise

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

Right at Home Comes to Long Beach, Driven by Franchisee’s Personal Experience in Caregiving

right-at-home-comes-to-long-beach-driven-by-franchisees-personal-experience-in-caregiving

Reverse Mortgage Brokers Find New Way to Serve Seniors with TruBlue Franchise in Upland Rancho, California

reverse-mortgage-brokers-find-new-way-to-serve-seniors-with-trublue-franchise-in-upland-rancho-california

Best Restaurant Franchises of 2021

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS