In the grand scheme of things, there aren’t many franchise businesses that can say they’re part of a $148bil industry, and even fewer can say that they are at the helm of such a massive market. But such business opportunities do exist, and they exist right under our noses. Drive far enough on virtually any American street and you’re likely to find one, and whether it’s KFC or Carl’s Jr., fast food is one of the most widespread and profitable businesses in the United States, if not the whole world. The seemingly perfect combination of convenience and taste send people to the drive-through at all times of the day, and no industry known to man is marketed better than these taste bud titans.
If you’re ready and eager to start your own fast food franchise, which one do you choose? Some smaller chains provide franchising options and would be excellent opportunities, but in the fast food world, name recognition and marketing are very important, so choosing a mainstream brand is a good idea if you can afford it. If indeed a big-name fast food franchise is the choice for you, here are some excellent, well known opportunities for making your fortune from a drive-through window.
Burger, Shake, and Fries
Nothing short of baseball or apple pie is more American than hitting the drive-thru to pick up this famous trio, and there are more than enough fast food businesses that serve it, so choosing the right burger joint can be tricky, but there’s never anything wrong with going with a well known brand, and two great options are Hardee’s and Checkers.
With 1900 national and international locations currently in operation, Hardee’s is the 8th largest fast food business in the United States. Coupled with the 1100 Carl’s Jr. stores (their sister brand also owned by CKE Restaurants, Inc.), Hardee’s is really a 3000-strong super-brand that is known from one corner of the country to the other, which makes marketing a breeze for the franchisee. Even if central advertising stopped today, the client base already established is gigantic. As for initial investment, the price tag tied to this food industry monster may seem rather high, costing the franchisee roughly $1mil to open a location, but there is good reason for that. The site selection and construction are second to none, and franchisees are not investing in a fly-by-night operation, but are rather committing to 20 years of operation, which will more than adequately make up for any startup cost. There is also a multi-store option for franchisees who choose to do so.
Another great burger franchise opportunity is Checkers, the leader in double drive-through fast food. Over 800 locations strong right now, this business cuts back on the money and space it takes to build a full, sit-down restaurant interior by catering to a more mobile market with 2 drive-through windows and a walk-up window; and that’s it. Customers like it, and so do franchisees, who spend literally only half the purchase price of many other major franchises, without losing any of the site selection help, training, or ongoing support.
Mexican-style Quick Service
Burgers are great, but by no means are they the only option; an alternative that much of America enjoys is a good taco or burrito, and the fast food industry provides a wide variety of Mexican-style choices. Two of the biggest options are Taco Bell and Taco Del Mar.
If you live in the United States, you’re undoubtedly familiar with the name Taco Bell; it’s unavoidable. Whether the slogan you remember is "think outside the bun" or "yo quiero Taco Bell," odds are more than good that you’ve visited one of their 6000 locations at some time in your life and you’re well aware that they are the king of the quick service taco. But did you know that roughly 80% of those locations are franchises, bringing in over $4bil every year? That’s right, the majority of the success of this business has been built on the shoulders of franchisees, so you know that they are not only a restaurant to be reckoned with, but one in which franchisees succeed.
Despite their size, though, Taco Bell is not the only large-scale show in town. Not yet to the size of Taco Bell, Taco Del Mar is the mission-style burrito fast food up-and-comer, exploding onto the market with a fun attitude and a tasty fish burrito. So far, the company has franchised throughout most of the US and all of Canada, now standing at almost 300 total stores since their 1992 debut in Seattle, WA. Franchisees are given a protected territory, full assistance at startup, layout and construction aid, and ongoing support complete with periodic physical visits, just to make sure that everything at each location is going as well as it should for a Taco Del Mar franchise business.
Chicken
What list of big-time fast food opportunities would be complete without KFC? It’s seen many different styles and facelifts over the years, but KFC is an American staple, holding over 5000 locations in the United States (not to mention the other 6000 locations in 79 other nations). A part of Yum! Brands (which also owns Taco Bell), KFC franchisees profit from years of exceptional marketing that has made the restaurant a household name, as well as a business model that has proven to be successful in every region. If you’re a driven entrepreneur, Yum! representatives can work with you to create your own KFC success story. Perhaps you’re even ready to reap even bigger gains from a combination KFC/Taco Bell, the newest developmental wave that is sweeping the nation.
As food franchises go, fast food businesses are powerful money-making tools not to be overlooked for any reason, and for the interested entrepreneur, there are plenty of fast food opportunities. If you’re ready to jump into a well established business and profit at a surprising rate, running your own fast food giant is not a half bad idea.
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