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<p>Interest in franchising has <a href="https://1851franchise.com/covid-19-and-high-unemployment-set-up-2021-for-franchise-sales-feeding-frenzy-2714528"><u>grown since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic</u></a>, and while the restaurant industry as a whole may be suffering, the fast food industry <a href="https://1851franchise.com/covid-19-vaccine-what-it-means-for-the-pizza-and-fast-food-boom-2714504"><u>continues to thrive as takeout</u></a> and to-go ordering becomes the new standard.&nbsp;</p><p>Known for fast-service and limited customer contact, fast food franchises have proven to be recession-resistant as the pandemic and high unemployment wear on. The perks of immediate brand recognition and quick startup timelines can make owning a fast food franchise an extremely lucrative venture.&nbsp;</p><p>Here are 10 of our favorite fast food franchises for 2021:&nbsp;</p><h4><a href="https://www.atomicwings.com/franchising?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-best-fast-food-franchises-to-buy-in-2021-2715143" 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: 10+</li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/atomicwings"><u>1851 Brand Newsroom</u></a></li></ul><h4><a href="http://owncheckersfranchise.com/best-franchise-deal?gclid=CjwKCAiA65iBBhB-EiwAW253WwkhPRQCfhWi3MxZkJ8Rm8lZt1X3Ns6bsrGqnuRPTYm1aRM9l2gfQhoC4HQQAvD_BwE&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-best-fast-food-franchises-to-buy-in-2021-2715143" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Checkers &amp; Rally’s</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $254,000–$1.4 million&nbsp;</li><li>Units: 859</li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/checkers"><u>1851 Brand Newsroom</u></a></li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.dunkinfranchising.com/franchisee/en/submitasite.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-best-fast-food-franchises-to-buy-in-2021-2715143" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Dunkin’ Donuts</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $200,000–$1.7 million</li><li>Units: 13,125&nbsp;</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.franchising.com/kfc/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-best-fast-food-franchises-to-buy-in-2021-2715143" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>KFC</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $1.4–$2.8 million&nbsp;</li><li>Units: 24,394</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.popeyes.com/development?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-best-fast-food-franchises-to-buy-in-2021-2715143" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $384,000–$2.6 million&nbsp;</li><li>Units: 3,377&nbsp;</li></ul><h4><a href="https://slimchickensfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-best-fast-food-franchises-to-buy-in-2021-2715143" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Slim Chickens</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $842,000–$1.7 million</li><li>Units: 93&nbsp;</li></ul><h4><a href="https://sonicfranchises.com/featured/sonic-drive-continues-growing-franchise-development-team/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-best-fast-food-franchises-to-buy-in-2021-2715143" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Sonic</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $1.2–$3.5 million</li><li>Units: 3,525&nbsp;</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.yum.com/wps/portal/yumbrands/Yumbrands/company/our-brands/franchising-and-real-estate?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-best-fast-food-franchises-to-buy-in-2021-2715143" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Taco Bell</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $571,000–$3 million&nbsp;</li><li>Units: 7,400</li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.toppers.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-best-fast-food-franchises-to-buy-in-2021-2715143" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Toppers Pizza</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $262,663–$490,649</li><li>Units: 70&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/topperspizza"><u>1851 Brand Newsroom</u></a></li></ul><h4><a href="https://www.wingzone.com/franchising/?SPPC=Google&amp%3BSPPCADID=150596354&amp%3BSPPCADEXID=&amp%3BSPPCKeywordID=807072292&amp%3Bkeyword=%2Bwing+%2Bzone+%2Bfranchise&amp%3Bmatchtype=b&amp%3Badposition=&amp%3Brandom=15259715500212046251&amp%3Btargetid=kwd-369449029652&amp%3Bnetwork=search&amp%3Bdevice=c&amp%3BdeviceModel=&amp%3BnetworkType=g&amp%3Bphysicalloc=9002004&amp%3Binterestloc=&amp%3Butm_source=Scorpion+Advertising&amp%3Butm_medium=cpc&amp%3Butm_term=%2Bwing+%2Bzone+%2Bfranchise&amp%3Butm_campaign=Google+PPC&amp%3Bgclid=CjwKCAiA65iBBhB-EiwAW253W4t03gd3173xk9YwH6hwUDqeB08_UhTSy6MTJmFAnWpFJBzi4iU7AhoClPwQAvD_BwE&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-best-fast-food-franchises-to-buy-in-2021-2715143" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Wing Zone</u></a></h4><ul><li>Startup costs: $314,985</li><li>Units: Nearly 100</li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/wingzone"><u>1851 Brand Newsroom</u></a></li></ul>

The Best Fast Food Franchises to Buy in 2021

1851 Franchise

Drive-thru lanes ruled the pandemic as fast food sales boomed. Here are a few opportunities to get in on the recession-resistant segment. 

the-best-fast-food-franchises-to-buy-in-2021

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

Keke’s Breakfast Cafe Celebrates 10 Openings in the First Half of 2025, Eyes Continued Growth in Key U.S. Markets

kekes-breakfast-cafe-celebrates-10-openings-in-the-first-half-of-2025-eyes-continued-growth-in-key-us-markets

USA Ninja Challenge

USA Ninja Challenge - Midyear Momentum 2025 - 1851 Franchise

USA Ninja Challenge Hits New Strides in 2025 With Record Growth, Olympic Momentum

usa-ninja-challenge-midyear-momentum-2025

Voodoo Brewing Co.

Oh Mama Beer Brings Rock ‘n’ Roll Energy to Voodoo Brewery Pubs Nationwide

oh-mama-beer-brings-rock-n-roll-energy-to-voodoo-brewery-pubs-nationwide

United Water Restoration Group

United Water Restoration Group UWRG - Franchise Technology - 1851 Franchise

How United Water Restoration Group Equips Franchisees With Data Through Innovative Technology To Impact the Business

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Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions Surpasses 400 Locations, Celebrates Record-Breaking First Half of 2025

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