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Best Restaurant Franchises: Top Full-Service Restaurants of 2024

With the full-service restaurant market booming, entrepreneurs have a wealth of franchise opportunities to explore and capitalize on in 2024.

The full-service restaurants market was estimated at a whopping $1.5 trillion in 2023 and is expected to reach an even more impressive $1.9 trillion by 2033. Luckily for entrepreneurs who want to get in on the action, there are plenty of franchise brands in the space. 

Here are 50 of the top options. 

Beef 'O' Brady's

Initial Investment: $809,325 - $1,290,850

Unit Count: 140+

Beef 'O' Brady's is a family-oriented sports bar franchise offering a casual dining experience with a focus on sports and community involvement.

Brass Tap*

Initial Investment: $791,967 - $1,327,475 

Unit Count: 50+

Brass Tap is a craft beer taproom franchise known for offering a unique selection of local and international brews in a relaxed setting.

Melting Pot

Initial Investment: $1,364,389 - $2,069,638

Unit Count: 90+

Melting Pot is a fondue restaurant franchise that provides a unique, interactive dining experience with a focus on shared meals and a variety of fondue styles.

Shuckin’ Shack

Initial Investment: $456,000 - $1,500,000

Unit Count: 18

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar offers a coastal experience with fresh seafood, cold beer and craft cocktails in a fun, relaxed environment. 

Applebee's

Initial Investment: $2,428,029 - $7,084,006

Unit Count: 1,500+

Applebee’s is a neighborhood grill-and-bar franchise offering casual dining with a wide range of American dishes.

Chili's

Initial Investment: $1,804,195 - $6,503,695

Unit Count: 1,600+

Chili’s is a casual-dining restaurant franchise known for its American and Tex-Mex cuisine and its fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Initial Investment: $2,481,500 - $4,804,800 

Unit Count: 1,200+ 

Buffalo Wild Wings is a sports bar franchise famous for its wings, beers and sports-centric dining experience.

TGI Fridays

Initial Investment: $2,721,000 - $4,326,000

Unit Count: 700+

TGI Fridays is a globally recognized casual-dining chain known for its American cuisine.

Red Lobster

Initial Investment: Contact franchisor 

Unit Count: 700+

Red Lobster is a seafood restaurant franchise offering a variety of freshly prepared seafood dishes and a nautical-themed dining experience.

Olive Garden

Initial Investment: Contact franchisor

Unit Count: 900+

Olive Garden is a family-style restaurant chain specializing in Italian-American cuisine, famous for its pasta dishes and unlimited breadsticks.

Texas Roadhouse

Initial Investment: $1,600,000 - $3,000,000

Unit Count: 360+

Texas Roadhouse is a steakhouse franchise known for its hand-cut steaks, made-from-scratch sides and Western-themed atmosphere.

IHOP

Initial Investment: $1,766,072 - $4,375,997

Unit Count: 1,800+

IHOP (International House of Pancakes) is a popular breakfast-focused restaurant chain offering a wide variety of pancakes and other breakfast, lunch and dinner items.

On the Border

Initial Investment: $2,500,00 - $4,300,000

Unit Count: 130+ 

On the Border is a Tex-Mex restaurant chain known for its lively atmosphere, freshly prepared Mexican dishes and signature margaritas,

Outback Steakhouse

Initial Investment: Starting at $1,600,000

Unit Count: 800+

Outback Steakhouse is an Australian-themed steakhouse chain known for its bold flavors and hearty portions.

Denny's

Initial Investment: $1,618,375 - $3,056,875

Unit Count: 1,600+

Denny’s is a classic American diner-style restaurant chain offering a wide range of breakfast, lunch and dinner options around the clock.

Johnny Rockets

Initial Investment: $507,000 - $1,686,000

Unit Count: 266

Johnny Rockets is a 1950s-themed diner franchise serving classic American fare, including hamburgers, fries and milkshakes.

California Pizza Kitchen

Initial Investment: $3,500,000 - $6,700,000

Unit Count: 180+

California Pizza Kitchen is a casual dining restaurant chain specializing in California-style pizzas and a variety of pasta and salad dishes.

Bonefish Grill

Initial Investment: Contact franchisor

Unit Count: 170+

Bonefish Grill is a seafood restaurant franchise offering a variety of fresh fish and wood-grilled specialties in a casual setting.

Famous Dave's

Initial Investment: $1,316,250 - $2,920,750

Unit Count: 180+

Famous Dave’s* is a barbecue restaurant chain known for its smoked meats, beloved sauces and rustic décor.

Cantina Laredo

Initial Investment: $1,860,000 - $2,565,000

Unit Count: 13

Cantina Laredo offers a menu inspired by the tastes of Mexico City, combining traditional and modern flairs with dishes like grilled fish, chicken and steaks. 

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

Initial Investment: $1,215,444 - $2,606,540 

Unit Count: 780+

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ is a Japanese barbecue franchise offering a unique, interactive dining experience where guests grill their own meats and vegetables at the table.

Uno Pizzeria & Grill 

Initial Investment: Starting at $546,500

Unit Count: 130+ 

Uno Pizzeria & Grill is a franchised pizzeria restaurant chain famous for its Chicago-style deep dish pizza. 

Smashburger

Initial Investment: $1,332,060 - $2,354,384

Unit Count: 227

Smashburger is a burger chain known for its signature "smashed" burgers and diverse menu of sides and beverages.

Elevation Burger

Initial Investment: $509,000-$1,700,000

Unit Count: 36

Elevation Burger emphasizes high-quality ingredients such as 100% grass-fed organic beef patties and heart-healthy olive oil-cooked fries, offering a sustainable and delicious burger experience.

A&W

Initial Investment: $212,285 - $1,350,487

Unit Count: 500+

A&W is a classic American fast-food chain known for its root beer, floats and all-American fare such as burgers and hot dogs.

Carrabba's

Initial Investment: Contact franchisor

Unit Count: 200+ 

Carrabba’s is an Italian-American restaurant chain offering a wide variety of pasta, seafood and grilled dishes.

Blue Margaritas

Initial Investment: $197,400 - $355,900

Unit Count:

Blue Margaritas specializes in traditional Mexican cuisine inspired by regional flavors across Mexico, offering menu items like steak fajitas, taco salads and signature Blue Margaritas

BurgerFi

Initial Investment: $629,900 - $1,011,750

Unit Count: 169

BurgerFi is a burger chain focusing on all-natural, hormone-free ingredients and environmentally sustainable practices.

Buca di Beppo

Initial Investment: Contact franchisor

Unit Count: 85+

Bucca di Beppo is an Italian restaurant chain known for its family-style servings and festive, eclectic décor.

Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza

Initial Investment: $810,000 - $1,239,500

Unit Count: 60+

Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza specializes in coal-fired pizza and wings cooked at 900 degrees, offering a unique dining experience with high-quality ingredients and strong brand loyalty.

Fuddruckers

Initial Investment: $495,000 - $1,565,000

Unit Count: 135

Fuddruckers is a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in build-your-own burgers and fresh-baked buns.

Bareburger

Initial Investment: Starting at $987,000

Unit Count: 29

Bareburger is a gourmet burger chain focusing on organic, all-natural ingredients and environmentally friendly practices.

Monterrey's

Initial Investment: Contact franchisor 

Unit Count: 80

Monterrey Mexican Restaurant is a family-owned business known for its authentic and traditional Mexican dishes, including tacos, burritos, enchiladas and sizzling fajitas.

Chino-Mex

Initial Investment: Starting at $360,500

Unit Count: 3

Chino-Mex combines flavors from California, Michoacán and El Salvador to create a diverse menu.

Hooters

Initial Investment: $2,748,300 - $4,100,000

Unit Count: 400+

Hooters is a sports bar and restaurant chain known for its casual dining atmosphere, sports bar vive and distinctively garbed waitstaff. 

Village Inn

Initial Investment: Starting at $1,009,000

Unit Count: 115+

Village Inn offers a modern twist on comfort food with a focus on breakfast, including made-from-scratch pancakes and pies, along with boozy brunch options.

Friendly's

Initial Investment: $1,000,000 - $2,600,000

Unit Count: 100+

Friendly’s is a family-friendly restaurant franchise famous for its ice cream and classic American diner fare.

Papa Gino's

Initial Investment: $606,128 - $856,201 

Unit Count: 175+ 

Papa Gino’s is a New England-based pizza chain known for its traditional Italian-style pizzas and family-oriented dining experience.

Mellow Mushroom

Initial Investment: $1,661,000 - $4,616,000

Unit Count: 170+

Mellow Mushroom is a pizzeria franchise offering a variety of stone-baked pizzas, calzones and craft beers in a quirky, art-filled environment.

Romano's Macaroni Grill

Initial Investment: Contact franchisor

Unit Count: 31 

Romano’s Macaroni Grill is an Italian restaurant chain featuring a wide range of pasta dishes, Italian specialties and an open-kitchen concept.

Bar Louie

Initial Investment: $2,500,000 - $4,500,000

Unit Count: 130+

Bar Louie is a casual bar-and-restaurant chain offering handcrafted cocktails, local beers and a diverse menu in a trendy, urban setting.

Twin Peaks

Initial Investment: $3,311,800 - $3,608,400

Unit Count: 100+ 

Twin Peaks is a sports-lodge-themed restaurant chain known for its hearty American food and large-screen TVs. 

Golden Corral

Initial Investment: $2,700,000 - $7,000,000

Unit Count: 390+

Golden Corral is a buffet restaurant chain offering an extensive variety of American cuisine. 

Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom

Initial Investment: Contact franchisor

Unit Count: 78+ 

Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom offers a unique franchise opportunity focused on craft beer and award-winning pizza. 

Logan’s Roadhouse

Initial Investment: $1,300,000 - $3,200,000

Unit Count: 130+

Logan’s Roadhouse is a steakhouse chain known for its mesquite-grilled steaks, roadhouse atmosphere and complimentary peanuts.

Krystal

Initial Investment: $450,000- $1,400,000

Unit Count: Nearly 300

Krystal is a fast-food chain famous for its small, square hamburgers, similar to those of White Castle.

Shoney’s

Initial Investment: $568,000 - $2,800,000

Unit Count: 80+

Shoney’s is a family-style restaurant franchise offering a variety of American comfort food and a popular breakfast buffet.

First Watch

Initial Investment: $899,800 - $1,522,000

Unit Count: 470+

First Watch is a daytime café chain specializing in breakfast, brunch and lunch with a focus on fresh, wholesome ingredients.

Black Bear Diner

Initial Investment: $1,504,505 - $2,059,010

Unit Count: 140+

Black Bear Diner focuses on hearty, home-style meals, including breakfast, lunch and dinner options.

Yard House

Initial Investment: Contact franchisor

Unit Count: 80+

Yard House is a sports bar chain known for its extensive menu of American cuisine and a wide selection of draft beers.

Investing in a full-service restaurant franchise not only offers the potential for profitable returns, but also provides entrepreneurs with the chance to be part of a brand that resonates with customers and brings people together over great food and memorable dining experiences.

Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey. 

*This brand is a paid partner of 1851 Franchise. For more information on paid partnerships please click here.

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