Top 25 Franchise Brands for Couple Date Night This Valentine's Day

It’s that time of year again. Love is in the air. While many people already have their Valentine’s Day plans sorted, there are always a few people who are scrambling to figure out what to do for the special occasion.

If you fall into that category and are looking for something to do with your loved one at the last minute, we here at 1851 Franchise got you covered. We gathered a list of the top 25 franchise brands that you can check out and potentially get some ideas on how to spend your February 14th.

Restaurant Franchises

When using the term “date night,” most people think of going out with their partner for a fancy meal, somewhere romantic and a little more expensive than they would usually pay. Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to go all out and have your partner swooning over you—and a delicious meal.

Here are some restaurant franchises to check out if you want to impress the special person in your life. (PS: Don’t forget to tip!)

Restaurants:

•       The Cheesecake Factory
  •   Units: 210
  •  Startup Costs: $150,000 to $700,000
•       Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar
  •  Units: 18
  •  Startup Costs: $453,000 to $1.1 million
•       Benihana
  •  Units: 118
  •  Startup Costs: $2.2 million to $2.8 million
•       Jinya Ramen Bar
  •  Units: 45
  •  Startup Costs: $1.4 million to $3.1 million
•          Fogo de Chão
  •  Units: 62
  •  Startup Costs: $3 million to $4 million
•         The Melting Pot
  •  Units: 97
  •  Startup Costs: $1.4 million to $1.6 million
• Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
  • Units: 150
  • Startup Costs: $2.5 million to $5.9 million

Dessert Franchises

So, you finished dinner, but you’re not quite ready for the night to end? Who can blame you? It’s important to create fun memories on a special night like this, and nothing says fun quite like a sweet treat for dessert! Here are a few franchises to check out to end the night off with some flavor! 

Desserts:

• Le Macaron French Pastries
  • Units: 63
  • Startup costs: $88,730 to $134,060
•     Cold Stone Creamery
  • Units: 976
  • Startup costs: $53,200 to $580,650
•    Edible Arrangements
  •   Units: 1,000+
  •  Startup Costs: $183,600 to $409,700
•     Great American Cookies*
  •   Units: 240+
  •  Startup Costs: $301,400 to $469,150
•     Cinnabon
  • Units: 1,200+
  •  Startup Costs: $233,700 to $546,800
•       Nothing Bundt Cakes
  •  Units: 501
  •   Startup Costs: $483,600 to $699,700

Everyone Loves Gifts

But maybe you’ve already got dinner and dessert covered, and now you’re just trying to figure out what to get your loved one as a gift. Nothing puts a smile on someone’s face quite like a gift on Valentine’s Day—whether it’s a cute stuffed animal or flowers, or everyone’s favorite chocolate. Here are a number of franchises that will provide you with the best gift to make your special someone smile. 

Gifts:

•  Build A Bear Workshop
  • Units: 400+
  • Startup Costs: $5 million–$12 million
• Baskin-Robbins
  • Units: 7,800+
  • Startup Costs: $124,000 to $559,000
•  Peterbrooke Chocolatier
  • Units: 25
  •  Startup Costs: $212,750–$333,500
•   Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
  •  Units: 213
  • Startup Costs: $187,000–$477,000
• Flowerama
  • Units: 60
  • Startup Costs: $180,000
•  Kilwins         
  • Units: 150
  •  Startup Costs: $423,251–$790,207

For the Adventurous Couple

However, if you and your partner are the adventurous type who prefer to share experiences rather than gifts, we’ve got you covered there too! We know sometimes you want to stay active and are looking for new things to try, so we’ve curated a list of some unique experiences you and your significant other can try this Valentine’s Day! (Make sure you book early in advance!)  

Experiences:

• Painting with a twist
  • Units: 230+
  • Startup Costs: $120,500 to $260,000
• Alamo Drafthouse 
  • Units: 37
  • Startup Costs: $1.2 million to $2 million
•  PanIQ Room
  • Units: 22
  • Startup Costs: $200,000 to $350,000
• Wine and Design
  • Units: 82
  • Startup Costs: $66,800 to $165,000
•  Board and Brush Creative Studio 
  • Units: 152
  • Startup Costs: $62,289 to $89,406
• Stumpy’s Hatchet House
  • Units: 31
  • Startup Costs: $220,300 to $329,300

Happy Valentine’s Day!

No matter what you end up doing this holiday, remember, it’s about spending time with the one you love. From all of us at 1851 Franchise, Happy Valentine’s Day!