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When most people think of franchises, food is the first thing that comes to mind. And <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/313513?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=entrepreneur-the-top-200-food-and-restaurant-franchises-of-2018-2706834" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">according to Entrepreneur</a>, it&rsquo;s still a major segment in the industry &mdash; about a quarter of the 1,000-plus companies that applied for the publication&rsquo;s annual Franchise 500 were food-based. That&rsquo;s why Entrepreneur is now naming its top food and restaurant franchises of 2018.

The rankings are based on the score that each company received when it was evaluated for inclusion on the coveted Franchise 500 list. That means that they&rsquo;ve been ranked based on costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength and financial strength and stability. 

Here are the brands that received first in category placements:

Asian Food: L&amp;L Hawaiian Barbecue

Baked Goods: Cinnabon

Chicken: Wingstop Restaurants

Coffee: Dunkin&rsquo; Donuts

Frozen Deserts: Culver Franchising System

Full-Service Restaurants: Golden Corral Restaurants

Hamburgers: McDonald&rsquo;s

Mexican Food: Taco Bell

Miscellaneous Quick Service: Wienerschnitzel

Pizza: Papa John&rsquo;s International

Retail Food: Edible Arrangements

Sandwiches: Jimmy John&rsquo;s Gourmet Sandwiches

Smoothies/Juices: Smoothie King

<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/313513?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=entrepreneur-the-top-200-food-and-restaurant-franchises-of-2018-2706834" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Click here to read the original article and check out the full list</a>.

Entrepreneur: The Top 200 Food and Restaurant Franchises of 2018

1851 Franchise

The publication has listed the top business ownership opportunities in the food and restaurant segments of the industry by ranking them by costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength and financial strength and stability. 

entrepreneur-the-top-200-food-and-restaurant-franchises-of-2018

United Water Restoration Group

The Importance of Quick Response in the Water Restoration Business: How United Water Restoration Group Leads the Way

the-importance-of-quick-response-in-the-water-restoration-business-how-united-water-restoration-group-leads-the-way

Senior Care Authority

Senior Care Authority Celebrates Major Wins and Welcomes Four New Franchisees in Q1 2025

senior-care-authority-celebrates-major-wins-and-welcomes-four-new-franchisees-in-q1-2025

Children's Lighthouse

Why This Hotel Franchise Owners is Investing in Children’s Lighthouse 

why-this-hotel-franchise-owners-is-investing-in-childrens-lighthouse

Integrity Franchise Group

Which Franchise Ownership Model Is Right for You? Semi-absentee Ownership?

which-franchise-ownership-model-is-right-for-you

Melting Pot

Photo of 50th Anniversary Melting Pot fondue with golden chives

50 Years of Fondue and Family: Melting Pot Celebrates Its Legacy and Looks to the Future

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Entrepreneur: The Top 200 Food and Restaurant Franchises of 2018

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