1851

Ask any traveler, foodie or not, what their favorite&nbsp;<a href="https://room1903.com/monthlydetails/08/2023/01/3?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-allure-of-international-cuisine-top-10-ethnic-restaurant-franchises-2724175" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">activities are while on vacation</a>. Restaurants are destined to be in their top 10 list. And prospective franchisees investing in restaurants like these help consumers get the ethnic food they crave without paying for a flight.&nbsp;Here are 10 brands that are seeing this kind of momentum.&nbsp;<h3><a href="https://1851franchise.com/pollocampero/info?utm_source=1851franchise.com&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=pollo-campero-breaks-sales-records-in-2023-continues-to-grow-2723339">Pollo Campero*</a></h3><ul><li>Units: 350+&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Startup costs: $1,287,250-$2,491,500</li></ul><a href="https://camperofranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-allure-of-international-cuisine-top-10-ethnic-restaurant-franchises-2724175" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pollo Campero</a>, the Central American chicken franchise with 89 U.S. locations and another 270 around the world, began in Guatemala in 1971. In 2002, Pollo Campero followed its millions of fans to the United States by opening its first restaurant in Los Angeles. With its exceptional brand recognition and high-quality products, the franchise’s established customer base is rapidly expanding in the U.S.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We have a fan base that has known us for many years in Central America and has continued to support our growth efforts wherever we go,” said director of franchise development&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/blas-escarcega-4826281a2?utm_source=1851franchise.com&amp%3B%3Butm_medium=article&amp%3B%3Butm_campaign=why-pollo-campero-is-growing-in-new-york-city-2722302&amp%3Butm_medium=article&amp%3Butm_campaign=pollo-campero-breaks-sales-records-in-2023-continues-to-grow-2723339&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-allure-of-international-cuisine-top-10-ethnic-restaurant-franchises-2724175" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Blas Escarcega</a>. “We’re very happy with the legacy customer base, and we also have new consumers that don’t know us but have been very open to coming and trying our food, and they continue to come. They like our food, menu and offerings.”<h3><a href="https://franchise.teriyakimadness.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&amp%3Butm_medium=article&amp%3Butm_campaign=teriyaki-madness-makes-fast-casuals-top-100-movers-shakers-in-2023-2722769&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-allure-of-international-cuisine-top-10-ethnic-restaurant-franchises-2724175" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Teriyaki Madness</a></h3><ul><li>Units: 130+</li><li>Startup costs: $312,500-$731,260&nbsp;</li></ul>Teriyaki Madness, the 130-plus unit franchised purveyor of Seattle-style teriyaki bowls, serves up fresh, healthy and flavorful Asian food. Through years of mastering marinating, grilling and using wok, the brand has created bowls that are hearty, delicious and healthy. At Teriyaki Madness, food is made to order, always fresh and never frozen. The franchise has been ranked on&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/teriyaki-madness-ranked-among-the-top-franchises-in-entrepreneurs-highly-competitive-franchise-500-2721414#most-recent-stories">Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/teriyaki-madness-makes-fast-casuals-top-100-movers-shakers-in-2023-2722769#most-recent-stories">FastCasual’s Movers and Shakers</a> and was named the fastest-growing restaurant chain in the United States by&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.teriyakimadness.com/tmad-named-1-fastest-growing-chain-in-the-nation/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&amp%3Butm_medium=article&amp%3Butm_campaign=top-international-food-franchise-opportunities-of-2022-2718244&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-allure-of-international-cuisine-top-10-ethnic-restaurant-franchises-2724175" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Restaurant Business in 2021</a>.&nbsp;<h3><a href="https://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette">Paris Baguette*</a></h3><ul><li>Units: 4,000+&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Startup costs: $652,565-$1,750,900</li></ul><a href="https://ownaparisbaguette.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-allure-of-international-cuisine-top-10-ethnic-restaurant-franchises-2724175" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Paris Baguette</a> is a bakery café franchise with more than 4,000 units around the world. The franchise first arrived in the United States in 2005 and now has nearly 150 units operating in the country, with the goal of reaching the 1,000-unit mark by 2030. It is loved by customers across the globe for its world-class cakes, pastries, coffees, breads and other French-inspired bakery café fare.“People understand and realize once they look into Paris Baguette that it's a global brand with over 4,000 units, and it’s just now starting to gain traction in the United States,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-lavinder-b8217627/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-allure-of-international-cuisine-top-10-ethnic-restaurant-franchises-2724175" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Eric Lavinder</a>, Paris Baguette’s chief development officer. “So they realize how successful we've been across the globe and that now the U.S. is one of the last major markets to expand into — that in itself makes it a great opportunity.”&nbsp;<h3><a href="https://1851franchise.com/gregoire">Grégoire</a></h3><ul><li>Units: 1</li><li>Startup costs: $240,794-$357,370</li></ul>In 2002,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregoire-jacquet-7a46ba/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-allure-of-international-cuisine-top-10-ethnic-restaurant-franchises-2724175" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Grégoire Jacquet</a> opened&nbsp;<a href="https://gfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-allure-of-international-cuisine-top-10-ethnic-restaurant-franchises-2724175" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Grégoire</a> after 15 years as a French-trained chef at several five-star restaurants around the world. Jacquet set out to transform the tradition of carryout food by opening the first high-end takeout restaurant — one that would be rooted in the community and that would serve high-quality food using farm-fresh and house-made ingredients. When he and his wife moved back to his wife’s home state of California, he built just that. The fine-fast-casual franchise serves gourmet sandwich and salad dishes, along with its famous potato puffs and scratch-made french fries.&nbsp;<h3><a href="https://fransmart.com/brand/the-halal-guys/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-allure-of-international-cuisine-top-10-ethnic-restaurant-franchises-2724175" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Halal Guys</a></h3><ul><li>Units: 100</li><li>Startup costs: $542,025-$1,459,425&nbsp;</li></ul>The Halal Guys is a fast-growing American Halal franchise with locations across North America, Europe and Asia. Devoted fans line up around the world for its mouthwatering chicken, gyros and falafel platters. In 1990, the franchise’s three Egyptian founders started a hot dog cart in New York City. The trio then switched to selling halal food because there was practically no authentic halal food to be had in the five boroughs. Word spread and the brand quickly grew, now having 100 open locations and over 400-plus new restaurants in development worldwide.<h3><a href="https://www.jinyaramenbar.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-allure-of-international-cuisine-top-10-ethnic-restaurant-franchises-2724175" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jinya Ramen Bar</a></h3><ul><li>Units: 56</li><li>Startup costs: $1,395,500-$3,040,000</li></ul>Tomo Takahashi, the founder of JINYA Ramen Bar, moved to the United States in 2010. Missing the authentic taste of Japanese ramen, he decided to create it himself. Hailing from a family of successful restaurateurs in Japan, Tomo embraced three core values: delicious food at reasonable prices for everyone.&nbsp;<h3><a href="https://fuzzystacoshop.com/taco-franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-allure-of-international-cuisine-top-10-ethnic-restaurant-franchises-2724175" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fuzzy's Taco Shop</a></h3><ul><li>Units: 150</li><li>Startup costs: $370,500-$1,224,600</li></ul>Fort Worth, Texas-based Fuzzy’s Taco Shop specializes in Baja-style Mexican food, including tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, salads and all-day breakfast. The first restaurant opened in 2003. The concept began franchising in 2009, and has since grown into a nationally recognized brand for its tasty menu items, beer and margaritas. The brand now has nearly 150 locations across the country and even more in the works.&nbsp;<h3><a href="https://fransmart.com/brand/curry-up-now/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-allure-of-international-cuisine-top-10-ethnic-restaurant-franchises-2724175" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Curry Up Now</a></h3><ul><li>Units: 22</li><li>Startup costs: $416,450-$1,779,750</li></ul>Curry Up Now is the largest Indian fast-casual restaurant chain in North America, renowned for their innovative spin on traditional Indian cuisine: “Indian Street Food” with a modern twist. Founder and CEO Akash Kapoor spent years perfecting Curry Up Now’s sauces, chutneys and other foods, which are now produced in a professional commissary. Curry Up Now offers franchisees the ability to purchase the food directly from the commissary at the same price as the founders, giving them more opportunities to be profitable.<h3><a href="https://phohoa.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-allure-of-international-cuisine-top-10-ethnic-restaurant-franchises-2724175" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pho Hoa</a></h3><ul><li>Units: 60+&nbsp;</li><li>Startup costs: $332,600-$680,180</li></ul>Established in 1983 in California, Pho Hoa is a Vietnamese food franchise that offers franchisees the opportunity to balance a rich culinary tradition with what is becoming mainstream cuisine. On top of three decades of experience and international brand recognition, Pho Hoa serves quality, consistent and healthy products. The brand has modernized how it prepares its soups while sticking to important traditional Vietnamese flavors.&nbsp;<h3><a href="https://ownafazolis.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-allure-of-international-cuisine-top-10-ethnic-restaurant-franchises-2724175" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fazoli’s</a></h3><ul><li>Units: 200+</li><li>Startup costs: $809,000-$2,300,000</li></ul>Fazoli’s aims to provide a quick and affordable dining experience with an Italian twist. While it may not offer a full-service, upscale Italian dining experience, it has become a popular choice for people looking for a convenient and reasonably priced option for Italian-inspired meals. The Fazoli's menu typically includes a variety of pasta dishes, salads, pizzas and sandwiches. They are particularly famous for their unlimited breadsticks, which are served with most entrees.These 10 are just a handful of the diverse international restaurants picking up speed in the United States. And as the global ethnic food industry continues to climb toward its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/ethnic-foods-market-102264?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-allure-of-international-cuisine-top-10-ethnic-restaurant-franchises-2724175" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">$131.6 billion mark</a> by 2030, now is a better time than ever to get into this industry.&nbsp;

The Allure of International Cuisine: Top 10 Ethnic Restaurant Franchises

1851 Franchise

With brands such as Pollo Campero and Teriyaki Madness leading the way, consumers are more eager than ever to give new food a try. 

the-allure-of-international-cuisine-top-10-ethnic-restaurant-franchises

Layne's Chicken Fingers

image of laynes chicken finger restaurant with 4 hands holding cups in the air to celebrate 

 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Crosses Mid-Year Mark With 11 New Restaurants Opened, Including the First Time the Brand has Seen Two Openings on the Same Day on July 14

laynes-chicken-franchise-growth-2025

HomeTeam Inspection Service

image of an employee from home team checking an outlet with an ipad

HomeTeam Inspection Service Franchise Owners Diversify Income With Multi-Service Model

hometeam-inspection-service-revenue-streams

Right at Home

image of jennifer selden right at home franchisee for a webinar with nick powills

Right at Home Franchise Owner Jennifer Selden To Share Franchise Journey, Sparked by Personal Care Experiences

jennifer-selden-right-at-home-franchise-journey-webinar

Paris Baguette Canada

image of a paris baguette bakery cafe latte with delicious food, croissants, and pastries

What Paris Baguette Franchisees Have To Say About Their Experiences

paris-baguette-franchise-canada-eric-chang

image of right at home franchisee gregory brewer for a webinar with nick powills

Gregory Brewer To Share 20-Year Franchise Journey With Right at Home in Upcoming Webinar

gregory-brewer-right-at-home-franchise-winston-salem-webinar

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

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

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

Mega Franchisee Sizzling Platter Acquired by Bain Capital

mega-franchisee-sizzling-platter-acquired-by-bain-capital

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Unlocking Superpowers: How KidStrong Is Building the Next Generation of Confident Kids — and Thriving Franchise Owners

kidstrong-franchise-confident-kids

Jollibee -Launch-Story-Brand-Page-Deep-Dive-2025

Jollibee Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

jollibee-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

Picture of kids for franchise business Kidstrong which focuses on child development and fitness

KidStrong Is Pediatrician-Recommended for Raising Confident, Capable Kids and Families Can't Get Enough

kidstrong-child-development-program

Image of a kid growing up, developing with kidstrong, high fiving and smiling. 

How KidStrong has Become the Franchise Disrupting Child Development by Partnering with Purpose-Driven Franchise Owners 

kidstrong-franchise-opportunity-child-development

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

Blending Tech, Hospitality and Health Care: How Three Women From Different Worlds Came Together to Build a Paris Baguette Franchise

paris-baguette-franchise-flower-mound-texas

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

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

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

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

The Allure of International Cuisine: Top 10 Ethnic Restaurant Franchises

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS