A data-backed analysis of 32 restaurant franchises with available territories, active development pipelines, and strong 2024-2026 unit economics. This guide covers emerging coffee concepts, chicken-forward brands, pizza and subs, frozen treats, and healthy formats, with investment ranges, growth rates, and regional expansion playgrounds. Built on FranchiseTimes Top 400 data, franchisee FDD Item 19 disclosures, and on-the-ground franchise development intel.
The restaurant franchise landscape in 2026 is crowded, but the signal is clear: emerging concepts in coffee, chicken, and health-forward formats are expanding faster than established brands, and territories are available for operators who know where to look. The fastest-growing chains from 2024-2026, 7 Brew Coffee (87% growth), Dave’s Hot Chicken (400+ locations), Scooter’s Coffee (900 locations, 10% growth), and Huey Magoo’s (100 stores by mid-2026), are all actively seeking franchisees. But so are mature, profitable concepts like Marco’s Pizza (1,200+ locations, 80+ unit goal for 2026), Bojangles (nationwide expansion into Vegas, Houston, NYC), and Jersey Mike’s Subs (ranked #1 on Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500). For the autopilot approach that runs review replies, Google posts, photo cadence, ranking audits, and the Maps grid scan in one subscription, see the Restaurant Velocity app.
This guide covers 32 brands worth investigating, breaks them into seven category-driven buckets, identifies which regions have the most runway for multi-unit developers, and walks you through the red flags that separate genuine opportunities from crowded markets that will drain your capital.
1. How We Selected These Franchises
These 32 brands meet five criteria: (1) available territories actively selling in 2026 (not Crumbl, not Raising Cane’s), (2) unit growth of 5%+ over 2024-2025, (3) Item 19 FDD profitability data showing sustainable unit economics, (4) corporate development support scored by franchisee feedback on Reddit and FranchiseGrade, and (5) total investment between $200K-$1.5M (accessible to emerging multi-unit developers). We excluded hyper-mature concepts with minimal territory availability and concepts with franchise unit counts below 50 (unproven systems). Sources: FranchiseTimes Top 400 (2025), Entrepreneur Franchise 500 (2026), franchisee FDD Item 19 filings, and interviews with active franchise developers in Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest regions.
2. Fastest-Growing Emerging Restaurant Franchises
7 Brew Coffee: 500+ Locations, 87% Growth Since 2017
7 Brew Coffee is the fastest-growing new concept in the drive-thru coffee segment. Founded in 2017 and backed by Blackstone, the Kansas-based brand expanded from 38 locations to 309 in two years, with total system exceeding 500 locations by late 2025. Growth continues at 87.3% year-over-year from a smaller base, making it the most aggressive expansion play among emerging coffee franchises. Average annual gross sales per franchised unit: $2M. Total investment: $489K-$779K. Available territories: Colorado Front Range, Midwest corridor (Chicago-St. Louis), and Southeast secondary markets.
Scooter’s Coffee: 900 Locations, 10% Annual Growth, Largest Coffee Franchise Footprint
Scooter’s Coffee, founded in 1998, celebrated 900 locations across 32 states in February 2026, the largest coffee-focused franchise by unit count. Growth is steady (10% in 2025, 16% in 2024) with focus on traditional drive-thru kiosks, endcaps, and non-traditional formats. The brand targets 1,000 locations and is expanding through multi-unit developers. Average unit volume: $1.2M-$1.5M. Total investment: $794K-$1.3M. Available territories: Pacific Northwest expansion, northern tier states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan underserved), and Mid-Atlantic secondary markets. Scooter’s attracts experienced multi-unit operators; single-unit franchisees are not preferred.
Crumbl Cookies: 1,000+ Locations, Market Saturation Concerns
Crumbl Cookies exploded from 200 to 1,000+ locations in 36 months, driven by viral TikTok momentum and celebrity investment. However, all U.S. territories are sold out as of April 2026. Opportunities exist only through resale (secondary market). Unit economics are under pressure: average unit volume dropped from $1.8M (2022) to $1.2M (2023), though 2024 net profit data showed recovery to $251,706 average per location. Profitability is highly skewed, only 43% of franchisees earned above-average profit, with bottom performers showing net losses exceeding $240K. For first-time franchisees, Crumbl represents elevated risk. We do not recommend entry without established multi-unit success and capital for extended payback periods.
Dave’s Hot Chicken: 400+ Locations, Rapid Expansion, Record Daily Openings
Dave’s Hot Chicken opened eight restaurants on a single day in April 2026, celebrating 400+ locations globally. The Nashville-hot-chicken concept has sold 1,020+ franchise locations in the U.S., Europe, Middle East, and Canada. While most domestic territories are committed, the brand continues seeking qualified operators for Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico. Dave’s hired a VP of Franchise Development in April 2026 to accelerate 2026 expansion (70+ locations planned). Average unit volume: $1.5M-$1.8M. Total investment: $445K-$809K. Territory strategy: Focus on in-demand locations and high-performing markets rather than defined geographic development agreements.
3. Coffee and Beverage Franchise Opportunities
Biggby Coffee: 200+ Locations, Profitable Drive-Thru Model, Midwest/Northeast Saturation, But Southeast Growth Wide Open
Biggby Coffee operates 200+ franchised locations with proven drive-thru unit economics ($1.1M-$1.3M AUV). The Michigan-based brand is mature in Midwest and Northeast but aggressively expanding South. Total investment: $360K-$530K. Available territories: Southeast corridor (Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee), Southwest (Texas, Arizona), and Western expansion. Strong franchisee retention and profitable Item 19 data.
Ellianos Coffee: 90+ Locations, Florida-Headquartered, Southeast and National Growth
Ellianos is Florida’s fastest-growing coffee franchise with 90+ locations (many company-owned). The brand is selectively franchising nationwide with a focus on Southeast expansion and secondary markets. Total investment: $380K-$580K. Territories available: Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, and emerging markets outside historical Florida stronghold.
PJ’s Coffee: 100+ Locations, Louisiana Heritage, Strong Unit Economics, Limited but Growing Territory Availability
PJ’s Coffee is a New Orleans institution with 100+ franchises focusing on quality specialty coffee. Average unit volume: $950K-$1.2M. Total investment: $315K-$515K. Expansion: Targeting national growth beyond Louisiana, with development agreements signed for Southeast and Texas markets.
Kona Ice: 300+ Locations, Non-Traditional Kiosk Model, Lowest Barrier to Entry
Kona Ice operates 300+ shaved-ice kiosks with total investment starting at $179K (lowest in this guide). Average unit volume: $250K-$400K. While profit margins are lower than beverage franchises, the model works for secondary markets, events, seasonal locations, and emerging entrepreneurs. Territory availability is nationwide with strong growth in Sun Belt and Midwest.
4. Chicken-Forward Franchise Opportunities
Dave’s Hot Chicken: See Section 2
Wingstop: 2,154+ US Locations, Chicken Wing Fast Casual, Substantial Territory Availability
Wingstop is a rapidly scaling chicken-wing specialist with strong unit economics. Average unit volume: $1.5M-$2.1M depending on market. Total investment: $298K-$1.0M. Available territories: Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, Virginia, Washington, and selected high-population markets underserved by the brand. Important caveat: Wingstop requires 3-unit minimum commitment, prior multi-unit restaurant management, and strong preference for franchise ownership experience.
Huey Magoo’s: 85+ Locations, 100 Location Target by Mid-2026, Chicken Tenders Specialist, Texas and National Growth
Huey Magoo’s is one of the fastest-growing chicken-tenders franchises, closing in on 100 locations by 2026. The brand just signed a 15-unit deal for Greater Houston and has 200+ development agreements in pipeline nationwide. Average unit volume: $2.1M. Total investment: $580K-$890K. New condensed 1,500-sq-ft prototype reduces buildout costs and timelines. Available territories: Texas (aggressive expansion into Houston, San Antonio, Dallas metro), Florida, Utah, and secondary markets in 12 states where brand already operates.
Bojangles: 1,000+ Locations, Major Northeast Expansion (NYC 20-Unit Deal), Vegas and Southwest Growth
Bojangles achieved one opening per week in 2025 and is accelerating nationally. The brand just signed a major 20-unit development agreement for New York City and is targeting Las Vegas, Houston, and San Antonio. Available territories: Northeast (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania), Southwest (Texas, Arizona), West Coast secondary markets. Requirement: 3-5 unit minimum commitment, $1M net worth, $500K liquid capital.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen: 3,400+ Locations (System-Wide), Chicken Sandwich Franchise, Limited but Strategic Territory Openings
Popeyes offers high-volume chicken concept with brand recognition. Available territories are selective, focused on emerging markets and existing franchisee expansion. Average unit volume: $1.1M-$1.6M (varies significantly by market). Total investment: $375K-$1.2M. Development requires operator experience and capital.
5. Dessert, Frozen, and Specialty Franchises
Crumbl Cookies: See Section 2 (Note: Territories Sold Out)
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: 550+ Locations, Hybrid Burger-Ice Cream Model, Multiple Territory Opportunities
Freddy’s combines burger and frozen custard, creating multiple revenue streams. The brand opened 33 locations in 2024 and operates in 36 states. Average unit volume: $950K-$1.4M. Total investment: $785K-$1.2M. Available territories: Southeast (underrepresented), Upper Midwest (limited remaining), Western markets. Freddy’s has substantial pipeline with existing franchisees driving expansion. Recent acquisition activity suggests consolidation toward experienced multi-unit operators.
Cold Stone Creamery: 300+ Franchise Locations, Ice Cream Customization, Southern Expansion Initiative
Cold Stone Creamery is rolling out a development initiative targeting hundreds of new locations. The brand recently expanded into Southern Louisiana (New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette) with 2-3 units targeted over five years, indicating selective growth. Average unit volume: $780K-$1.1M. Total investment: $255K-$680K. Available territories: South (Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi), Midwest secondary markets, Western markets. Lower liquid capital requirements ($100K) than most concepts make Cold Stone accessible to emerging entrepreneurs.
Jamba Juice: 900+ Locations (System-Wide), Healthy Smoothie Bowl Format, Selective Territory Openings
Jamba is expanding through non-traditional venues (airport, travel centers, corporate campuses) with lower-investment kiosk formats. Average unit volume: $700K-$950K. Total investment: $220K-$555K (kiosk) to $480K-$850K (full unit). Available territories: West Coast secondary markets, Midwest, and selective non-traditional partnerships.
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice: 150+ Locations, Italian Ice Novelty, Seasonal and Year-Round Models
Jeremiah’s operates year-round and seasonal frozen-treat locations. Average unit volume: $400K-$680K (varies by season). Total investment: $289K-$540K. Available territories: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and expanding into Southeast and Midwest through franchisee development agreements.
Smoothie King: 1,200+ Locations, Health-Forward Positioning, Established System, Limited Territory Availability
Smoothie King has strong brand recognition and system maturity. Most territories are claimed by established franchisees, but select markets remain available. Average unit volume: $850K-$1.15M. Total investment: $350K-$600K. Territory availability is selective and requires direct franchisee recruitment and development.
6. Pizza and Italian Franchise Opportunities
Marco’s Pizza: 1,200+ Locations, Targets 80+ New Stores in 2026, Highest FUND Score in QSR Pizza
Marco’s Pizza is aggressively expanding with 80+ new store openings planned for 2026. The brand earned the highest FUND Score among all QSR concepts and ranks #50 on Entrepreneur Franchise 500. Recent territory wins include New Jersey entry and New Mexico development agreement. Average unit volume: $1.3M (top 25%), $1.1M (median). Total investment: $289K-$762K. Available territories: New Jersey (new market), New Mexico (development agreement signed), additional markets in Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest. Marco’s offers innovative Franchise Development Royalty Incentive Program with early-stage royalties starting at 0%, a substantial advantage for qualified multi-unit operators.
Jet’s Pizza: 600+ Locations, Detroit-Style Pizza Specialist, Rapid Midwest Expansion, National Growth Runway
Jet’s Pizza is expanding from Detroit heritage into national markets with distinctive rectangular, crispy-crust pizza format. Average unit volume: $1.15M-$1.4M. Total investment: $412K-$735K. Available territories: Southeast (minimal presence), Southwest (Texas, Arizona, Colorado), West Coast secondary markets. Jet’s signed multiple development agreements in 2025-2026.
Jersey Mike’s Subs: 3,210+ Locations (Surpassed 3,000 in December 2024), Ranked #1 Entrepreneur Franchise 500 (2026), Aggressive 2026 Growth
Jersey Mike’s is the only franchise in this guide to rank #1 on Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500. The brand added 254 net new units in 2025 and has 650+ franchisees. International expansion into UK and Ireland with 400-store development agreement signals aggressive corporate strategy. Average unit volume: $1.55M. Total investment: $182K-$1.4M. Available territories: Selective U.S. markets and exclusive territory in UK/Ireland for qualified international partners. Note: Jersey Mike’s is technically a submarine sandwich franchise, but unit economics rival pizza and fit the “sandwich-forward fast casual” growth segment.
Papa Murphy’s: 1,300+ Locations, Take-and-Bake Pizza Model, Selective Territory Development
Papa Murphy’s pioneered the take-and-bake format with strong unit economics. Average unit volume: $900K-$1.2M. Total investment: $290K-$600K. Available territories: Western markets (brand heritage), select Southeast and Midwest growth areas.
7. Healthy-Format and Better-For-You Franchises
Clean Juice: 70+ Locations, Certified Organic Juices and Smoothies, 19 States, New Markets Opening 2026
Clean Juice is expanding rapidly with certified organic positioning. The brand operates 70+ locations across 19 states with 100+ outlets through various models. Total investment: $286K-$543K. Special offer: First 10 Franchise Agreements signed in 2025 receive waived royalties for first six accounting periods and reduced 3% royalties for next six periods (if store opens within one year). Available territories: Nationwide growth with specific market maps available on franchising website. Strong brand positioning in health-conscious demographics and suburban/secondary markets.
Tropical Smoothie Café: 850+ Locations, Multi-Daypart Model (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Dessert), Strong System-Wide AUV
Tropical Smoothie Café operates 850+ locations with balanced smoothie and food menu. System-wide average net revenue: $1.005M (all franchisees), $1.282M (top 50%). Total investment: $198K-$543K. Available territories: Nationwide with pockets of saturation in existing strongholds (Florida, Texas) offset by wide-open secondary markets. The multi-daypart model and catering offerings provide revenue diversification unusual among beverage franchises.
CoreLife Eatery: 100+ Locations, Farm-to-Table Fast Casual, Health-Focused, Regional Growth
CoreLife emphasizes health-forward customizable bowls with organic and local sourcing. Average unit volume: $850K-$1.1M. Total investment: $450K-$850K. Available territories: Southeast (Georgia, North Carolina), Midwest (Ohio, Illinois), and secondary markets in existing regions.
Playa Bowls: 150+ Locations, Acai Bowl Specialist, Gen Z-Forward Brand, Emerging Territory Availability
Playa Bowls capitalizes on acai bowl and healthy-breakfast trend with strong Gen Z appeal. Average unit volume: $750K-$980K. Total investment: $389K-$612K. Available territories: Emerging growth in Sun Belt (Texas, Florida, Arizona), secondary Midwest markets, and West Coast suburban locations.
8. Franchise Territories With the Best Growth Runway for 2026
Southeast Corridor: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida (But Selective in Tampa/Miami)
The Southeast is experiencing aggressive franchise expansion across all seven categories in this guide. Georgia has active territory availability for Bojangles, Marco’s Pizza, Huey Magoo’s, Clean Juice, and Tropical Smoothie. North Carolina and Tennessee are underpenetrated in coffee (7 Brew, Scooter’s, Biggby), chicken (Dave’s Hot Chicken, Wingstop), and frozen treats (Cold Stone, Freddy’s). Florida is saturated in major metro areas (Miami, Tampa, Orlando) but growing in secondary markets (Jacksonville, Panhandle). Best opportunities: multi-unit developers with $1M+ capital targeting 3-5 unit development agreements across complementary concepts.
Texas Triangle: Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin Periphery
Texas is the single largest territory opportunity in 2026. Houston has a 15-unit Huey Magoo’s development agreement signed, creating co-tenancy opportunities for complementary concepts. Dallas and San Antonio are priority markets for Bojangles (announced explicitly). Austin periphery (San Marcos, New Braunfels, Dripping Springs) is underserved in fast-casual and emerging coffee franchises. Total investment capacity needed: $2M-$4M for serious multi-unit developer. Best plays: 7 Brew or Scooter’s Coffee paired with Wingstop or Marco’s Pizza across 3-4 units, or Huey Magoo’s paired with a beverage concept.
Mountain West: Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City Corridors
Denver metro is undersaturated in 7 Brew, Marco’s, and chicken concepts. Phoenix is a growth market for multiple brands (Dave’s Hot Chicken, Bojangles entering). Las Vegas is Dave’s Hot Chicken’s secondary expansion hub (already has multiple units) with runway for complementary concepts. Salt Lake City and Utah secondary markets are priority for Huey Magoo’s (Saratoga, Utah location opened April 2026) and coffee franchises. Available capital needed: $1.5M-$2.5M for 2-3 unit plays.
Upper Midwest: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois Secondary Markets
Upper Midwest coffee franchises (Biggby, 7 Brew, Scooter’s) are actively seeking development. Chicago secondary markets (suburbs, exurbs) have runway for Marco’s Pizza and fast-casual chicken. Wisconsin and Minnesota are wide open for most concepts mentioned in this guide. Michigan is Biggby heritage territory but has room for new competitive entrants and adjacent categories. Capital needed: $1.2M-$2M for 2-3 unit development.
9. How to Actually Evaluate a “Franchise Opportunity” Ad (5 Red Flags to Skip, 3 Green Flags to Dig Deeper)
Red Flags, Skip These Operators or Concepts
1. “No Experience Necessary” or “We Train Everyone.” Legitimate franchisors screen for restaurant management experience, multi-unit capability (for most concepts requiring $400K+ investment), and personal capital. If a franchisor claims to accept anyone with capital, they’re prioritizing recruitment fees over franchisee success. Check FranchiseGrade reviews, brands with low experience requirements show high failure rates and poor franchisee satisfaction.
2. FDD Item 20 Shows Most Franchisees Are Company-Owned or Recently Opened. Item 20 lists existing franchisees. If more than 40% of units are company-owned, the franchisor is capturing the best territories for themselves and assigning harder markets to franchisees. If more than 50% of franchisees opened in the last 18 months, there’s insufficient track record of profitability. Look for brands where franchise-operated units outnumber company units 2:1 or better, and franchisees have 3+ years operating history.
3. Flat or Declining Unit Count, Growth Dependent on Acquisition. Check FranchiseTimes and Entrepreneur franchise rankings year-over-year. If a brand grew 50 units in 2023, 30 in 2024, and 15 projected for 2025, momentum is declining, that’s a stalling system. Acquisitions are fine (Freddy’s acquired another franchisee’s territory in 2025) but shouldn’t be the primary growth driver.
4. Item 19 (Profitability) Is Missing, Qualified, or Shows Median Below Total Investment / 3. Item 19 must show profitability within 36 months. If median net profit is $350K but total investment is $800K, you’re looking at 2.3-year payback, manageable. If profitability is $200K for $900K investment, you’re in 4.5-year territory with high capital risk. Skip Item 19s showing high variance between top and bottom quartiles (>100% spread), that’s a sign of unequal market access or operational inconsistency.
5. Negative Recent Press or Litigation from Franchisee Groups. Reddit’s r/franchiseowners and FranchiseGrade reviews are primary sources. If 2024-2025 shows multiple litigation announcements or franchisee association formation, the franchisor-franchisee relationship is breaking down. Check PR Newswire, FranchiseNews.com, and FranchiseTimes litigation archives.
Green Flags, Dig Deeper Into These Opportunities
1. “We Target X% Unit Growth and Have Y-Year-Old Franchisees Reporting [Specific Profit].” Legitimate franchisors speak about past franchisee success with specifics: “Our 2021 cohort is averaging $450K net profit” (verifiable in Item 19). They have multi-year franchisee retention and know the profitability profile. Marco’s Pizza explicitly states, “Our Franchise Development Royalty Incentive Program starts at 0% royalties for qualified multi-unit operators”, specific, achievable, tied to clear milestones.
2. Active Multi-Unit Developer Recruitment and Selective Territory Criteria. Brands that talk about “seeking experienced multi-unit operators” are filtering for quality. Wingstop’s 3-unit minimum and experience requirement are red tape, but they reduce failure. Dave’s Hot Chicken’s explicit targeting of “experienced franchisees for Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico” signals they know which territories are harder and they’re matching operator quality to market. This is a green flag.
3. FranchiseGrade Score 80+, Item 19 Shows Consistent Profitability Across Market Tiers, and Franchisee Retention Is 95%+. Franchises with 95%+ annual franchisee retention have trust. Item 19 showing consistent profitability across urban, suburban, and secondary markets (not just top 25%) signals a scalable system. High FranchiseGrade scores (80+) reflect low litigation, reasonable franchisee satisfaction, and transparent communication. Jersey Mike’s (0.0% SBA default rate, 254 net new units 2025) checks all three boxes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best new restaurant franchise opportunities in 2026?
The fastest-growing new restaurant franchises in 2026 are 7 Brew Coffee (500+ locations, 87% growth rate since 2017), Scooter’s Coffee (900+ locations across 32 states), Dave’s Hot Chicken (400+ locations, aggressive 2026 expansion), and Crumbl Cookies (1,000+ locations, though all U.S. territories are sold out). Emerging opportunities with available territories include Huey Magoo’s (targeting 100 stores by 2026), Clean Juice (70+ locations with new market openings), and Tropical Smoothie Cafe (850+ locations expanding through 2026).
Which restaurant franchise has the most available territories?
Marco’s Pizza and Bojangles have the most substantial territory availability in 2026. Marco’s targets 80+ new store openings in 2026 with entry into new markets like New Jersey and New Mexico. Bojangles signed a major 20-unit agreement for New York City and continues expanding across Las Vegas, Houston, and San Antonio. Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Wingstop also have significant availability, particularly in underserved regional markets.
What’s the cheapest restaurant franchise to start?
Scooter’s Coffee and 7 Brew Coffee offer lower total investment ranges around $500K-$800K compared to fast-casual concepts averaging $800K-$1.2M. Kona Ice (frozen treat kiosk) and some juice concepts like Clean Juice ($286K-$543K) offer lower entry points. However, “cheapest” doesn’t mean best unit economics. Scooter’s Coffee averages $2M annual gross sales per location with strong profitability margins, making it one of the best ROI franchises despite moderate upfront cost.
Are coffee franchises better than fast food franchises?
Coffee franchises like 7 Brew and Scooter’s Coffee have faster unit economics and lower operational complexity than full-service fast-casual or burger concepts. 7 Brew reports $2M average annual gross sales per location with simpler supply chains and smaller footprints (drive-thru kiosks). Fast food franchises like Wingstop ($1.5M-$2.1M AUV) and Bojangles require larger teams and kitchens but offer more revenue streams. Choice depends on capital, management capacity, and local market demand. Coffee thrives in high-traffic corridors; chicken and burgers scale through suburban and multi-unit developer markets.
How do I find available franchise territories in my state?
Contact franchisors directly through their development pages (Marco’s Pizza, Bojangles, Wingstop, Dave’s Hot Chicken all have territory maps on their websites) or use third-party platforms like FranchiseGator, FranchiseDirect, and Entrepreneur’s franchise directory to filter by state and investment range. Check FDD (Franchise Disclosure Documents) for Item 20, which lists existing franchisees by location,high-concentration areas often mean saturation while gaps indicate available territories. Reddit’s r/franchiseowners and r/restaurantowners frequently discuss active territory openings and developer activity in specific states.
Is Crumbl still profitable with market saturation?
Crumbl’s profitability is mixed. Average unit volume dropped from $1.8M (2022) to $1.2M (2023) due to market saturation, though 2024 data showed net profit recovery to an average of $251,706 per location. However, only 43% of Crumbl franchisees earned above-average profits, with the bottom performers showing net losses. All U.S. territories are sold out; opportunities only exist through resale. For first-time franchisees, Crumbl carries elevated risk due to saturation, high startup costs ($816K-$1.44M), and 10% royalty rates.
What’s a good franchise opportunity for a first-time owner?
For first-time franchisees, Scooter’s Coffee, 7 Brew Coffee, and Marco’s Pizza offer proven systems with strong support and available territories. Scooter’s targets experienced operators but has clear training; Marco’s offers a Franchise Development Royalty Incentive Program starting at 0% royalties for multi-unit owners. Jersey Mike’s Subs (ranked #1 on 2026 Entrepreneur Franchise 500) offers strong support with 254+ net new units in 2025 and a 0.0% SBA default rate. Avoid high-saturation concepts (Crumbl) and limited-franchise brands (Raising Cane’s). Look for brands with 50+ existing franchisees, strong Item 19 economics, and active development pipelines.
How many units do growing franchises typically open per year?
Top-tier growth franchises open 70-150+ units annually. Marco’s Pizza opened 70 new stores in 2024, Bojangles averaged one opening per week in 2025 (52+ units), Dave’s Hot Chicken opened 8 units on a single day in April 2026, and Freddy’s Frozen Custard opened 62 locations in 2023. Jersey Mike’s added 254 net new units in 2025. Scooter’s Coffee added 83 stores in 2025 (10% growth), targeting 1,000 locations total. Growth franchises with 50+ annual openings typically have substantial capital backing, experienced development teams, and available territories in 2+ regions.
Do emerging franchises have better unit economics than established brands?
Emerging franchises offer mixed returns. 7 Brew Coffee (founded 2017, 500+ locations) reports $2M average annual gross sales with strong unit economics and growth momentum. Huey Magoo’s ($2.1M AUV, 85+ locations) and Dave’s Hot Chicken (400+ locations) show strong economics in early growth stages. However, established brands like Marco’s Pizza ($1.3M AUV top 25%, 1,200+ locations) and Wingstop ($1.5M-$2.1M AUV) offer lower market risk. Emerging franchises grow faster (87% for 7 Brew vs. 10% for Scooter’s) but carry higher failure risk if expansion slows. Look at Item 19 (FDD) profitability data and franchisee tenure, not brand age, to assess true unit economics.
Can I buy multiple franchise territories at once?
Yes. Most franchisors offer multi-unit development agreements (typically 3-10 units minimum over 3-5 years) with discounts on franchise fees and royalties. Wingstop requires 3-unit minimum commitments; Bojangles seeks 3-5 unit developers with $1M net worth. Marco’s Franchise Development Royalty Incentive Program offers reduced royalties (0% early-stage) for qualified multi-unit operators. Dave’s Hot Chicken seeks experienced multi-unit developers for untapped regions like Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico. Multi-unit deals require 18-36 month development timelines, $500K-$2M liquid capital, and prior restaurant or franchise management experience.
