The Best Fast Food Franchises to Buy in 2021

Interest in franchising has grown since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and while the restaurant industry as a whole may be suffering, the fast food industry continues to thrive as takeout and to-go ordering becomes the new standard. 

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. 

Here are 10 of our favorite fast food franchises for 2021: 

Atomic Wings*

• Startup costs: $170,400–$377,355
• Units: 10+
• 1851 Brand Newsroom

Checkers* & Rally’s

• Startup costs: $254,000–$1.4 million 
• Units: 859
• 1851 Brand Newsroom

Dunkin’ Donuts

• Startup costs: $200,000–$1.7 million
• Units: 13,125 

KFC

• Startup costs: $1.4–$2.8 million 
• Units: 24,394

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

• Startup costs: $384,000–$2.6 million 
• Units: 3,377 

Slim Chickens

• Startup costs: $842,000–$1.7 million
• Units: 93 

Sonic

• Startup costs: $1.2–$3.5 million
• Units: 3,525 

Taco Bell

• Startup costs: $571,000–$3 million 
• Units: 7,400

Toppers Pizza*

• Startup costs: $262,663–$490,649
• Units: 70 
• 1851 Brand Newsroom

Wing Zone

• Startup costs: $314,985
• Units: Nearly 100
• 1851 Brand Newsroom