1851

In the U.S., we idolize big brands. For many prospective business owners, their aspirations to be great start with multi-unit, fast-growing legacy brands like McDonald&#8217;s, Dairy Queen and Subway to show us the right pathway to success. They&#8217;ve all exhibited rapid growth for decades, and they&#8217;re all franchises. A lot of the world&#8217;s biggest chains look the same, act the same and serve the same stuff, and for that reason, it&#8217;s pretty easy to assume that they&#8217;re also franchises. But did you know that not all big chains are synonymous with franchising? Before diving into your next venture, check out our list of the top chains that aren&#8217;t franchise brands. Starbucks With a mission &#8220;to inspire and nurture the human spirit&#8212;one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time,&#8221; Starbucks has been able to become a global powerhouse brand. Unfortunately, for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to get a taste of business ownership with Starbucks, it might be a little harder than you initially thought to bring that vision to your neighborhood. Touting more than 22,000 locations worldwide, Starbucks chose to go public in 1992&#8212;a move that had them building the brand by holding onto their own locations rather than franchising. But the brand does have special licensing agreements with various entities around the world (airport locations, national grocery chains, major food services corporations, college and university campuses, and hospitals) that they also use to grow. Other franchise brands in the coffee space: <a href="http://www.dunkinfranchising.com/franchisee/en.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=brands-we-thought-were-franchises-3545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dunkin&#8217; Donuts</a>, <a href="https://ownascooters.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=brands-we-thought-were-franchises-3545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Scooter&#8217;s Coffee</a>, <a href="http://www.mauiwowifranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=brands-we-thought-were-franchises-3545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees &amp; Smoothies</a> and <a href="http://biggbyfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=brands-we-thought-were-franchises-3545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Biggby Coffee</a> Cracker Barrel According to the breakfast brand&#8217;s website, in 2015, Cracker Barrel sold 69,474,344 pancakes. With such a loyal following, and more than 600 stores in 42 states, it&#8217;s hard to believe they don&#8217;t utilize franchising as a means for continued growth&#8212;all locations are company-owned and operated. The brand explains that their decision to not franchise was made to ensure the authentic country comforts that their guests rely on. And while Cracker Barrel has seen tremendous success on their own, there&#8217;s no denying that franchise brands can deliver a very high-quality experience. Other franchise brands in the breakfast space: <a href="http://ownatoastery.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=brands-we-thought-were-franchises-3545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Famous Toastery</a>, <a href="http://dennysfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=brands-we-thought-were-franchises-3545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Denny&#8217;s</a> and <a href="http://www.perkinsrestaurants.com/franchise-opportunity?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=brands-we-thought-were-franchises-3545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Perkins Restaurant &amp; Bakery</a> Chipotle For years, people have been addicted to Chipotle, always wanting more. Unfortunately, Chipotle opportunities for prospective franchisees might be off the table for a long time, if not forever. "We believe that companies franchise for two reasons," said Chris Arnold, Chipotle's communications director, in an interview with <a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/237252?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=brands-we-thought-were-franchises-3545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Entrepreneur Magazine</a>. "Either they need money to grow or they need operators to run restaurants." Chipotle currently doesn&#8217;t need franchisees or additional capital as they continue to bring in a huge revenue in their market. Other franchise brands in the space: <a href="http://www.moesfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=brands-we-thought-were-franchises-3545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Moe&#8217;s Southwest Grill</a>, <a href="http://www.deltacofranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=brands-we-thought-were-franchises-3545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Del Taco</a>, <a href="http://tacojohnsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=brands-we-thought-were-franchises-3545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Taco John&#8217;s</a>, <a href="http://eatchronictacos.com/index.php/franchise_opportunities?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=brands-we-thought-were-franchises-3545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chronic Tacos</a> and <a href="https://www.elpolloloco.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=brands-we-thought-were-franchises-3545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">El Pollo Loco</a>. In-N-Out The iconic California, burger brand In-N-Out opened their first store in 1948. By 2015, they were celebrating the opening of their 300th restaurant&#8212;all of which are company owned. In September 2015, In-N-Out president, Lynsi Snyder told CBS This Morning in an exclusive interview that the brand will never franchise&#8212;that a very definitive answer for this better burger brand. Other franchise brands in the space: <a href="http://www.mooyahfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=brands-we-thought-were-franchises-3545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="">MOOYAH Burgers Fries &amp; Shakes</a>, <a href="http://www.fiveguys.com/contact-us/franchise-opportunities?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=brands-we-thought-were-franchises-3545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="">Five Guys Burgers &amp; Fries</a> and <a href="http://smashburger.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=brands-we-thought-were-franchises-3545" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="">Smashburger</a>

1851 Franchise

A lot of big chains serve up the same food, but did you know that not all of them are franchises? 

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Brands We Thought Were Franchises  

brands-we-thought-were-franchises

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

image of a benjamin franklin plumber employee franchise

Top 5 Reasons To Invest in Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Right Now

benjamin-franklin-plumbing-franchise-5-reasons-to-buy

Mister Sparky Electric

image of mister sparky cars franchise authority brands

Wired for Success: 5 Powerful Reasons To Invest in a Mister Sparky Franchise Now

mister-sparky-franchise-5-reasons-to-invest

image of Mister sparky electric employee working with customer

On-Time, Every Time: How Mister Sparky Delivers the Electrical Service Homeowners Can Count On

mister-sparky-electric-service-franchise

image of mister sparky electric on time elctricians from franchise mister sparky

The Electrician You Can Count On: How Mister Sparky Delivers Power, Punctuality and Profitability

mister-sparky-franchise-power-punctuality-profitiability

image of a benjamin franklin plumber employee helping a customer

The Punctual Plumber That Wins: How Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Redefines Home-Service Reliability

benjamin-franklin-plumbing-home-service-reliability

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

Planet Fitness Franchisees Donate $100K to Support Texas Flood Relief - 1851 Franchise

Planet Fitness Franchisees Donate $100K To Support Texas Flood Relief

planet-fitness-texas-flood-relief

McDonald’s Is the Latest Franchise To Bet Big on Beverages with 500-Store Premium Drink Test

mcdonalds-is-the-latest-franchise-to-bet-big-on-beverages-with-500-store-premium-drink-test

Friendly’s Parent Company Acquired by Multi-Unit Franchisee as More Owners Take the Lead in Brand Acquisitions 

friendlys-parent-company-acquired-by-multi-unit-franchisee-as-more-owners-take-the-lead-in-brand-acquisitions

Subway - John Fitzpatrick Named CEO - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Subway Names Jonathan Fitzpatrick as New CEO, Effective July 28

jonathan-fitzpatrick-subway-ceo-leadership-change

AI Is Reshaping Franchising: $100 Billion Valuations and Hyper-Localized Advertising

ai-is-reshaping-franchising-100-billion-valuations-and-hyper-localized-advertising

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

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Navy Veteran and Professional Artist Couple Open Caring Transitions in Texas

Navy Veteran and Professional Artist Couple Set Out to Build a Purpose-Driven Business With Caring Transitions in Texas

navy-veteran-and-professional-artist-couple-set-out-to-build-a-purpose-driven-business-with-caring-transitions-in-texas

Why This Real Estate Broker Decided To Bring Caring Transitions to Central Texas

caring-transitions-san-marcos-kyle-chad-hardin

Sola Salons Franchisee Grows Salon Freedom Into a Multi-State Powerhouse 

sola-salons-franchisee-grows-salon-freedom-into-a-multi-state-powerhouse

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

DevHub - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

DevHub: Scalable Digital Marketing for Franchises and Multi-Location Brands

devhub-meet-the-supplier

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

Brands We Thought Were Franchises

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS