Starting a franchise gives you the chance to run a business under a name people already know. You could open a fast-food restaurant, run a convenience store, sell hardware, offer tutoring or invest in a hotel. Each option comes with different costs and day-to-day responsibilities.

The top franchise businesses in USA include well-known names such as McDonald’s, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Dunkin’ and 7-Eleven. However, brand recognition alone does not tell you whether a franchise suits your budget. You also need to look at the initial investment, the industry, the business model and the work involved in running the outlet.

This list covers 10 franchise brands across food, retail, education, business services and hospitality. The table below compares their estimated starting costs and the ranking or sales figures provided for each brand.

Quick Look at the Top Franchise Businesses in USA

Rank	Franchise Name	Industry	Estimated Initial Investment
1	Jersey Mike’s Subs	Food / QSR	$436,000
2	McDonald’s	Food / QSR	464,500–1,000,000+
3	7-Eleven	Convenience Store	Varies widely
4	Dunkin’	Food / Retail	121,400–443,000
5	Taco Bell	Food / QSR	525,100–935,000+
6	Ace Hardware	Retail	$612,000
7	The UPS Store	Business Services	$114,000
8	Kumon	Children’s Education	$102,000
9	Wingstop	Food / QSR	$310,000
10	Hampton by Hilton	Lodging / Hospitality	$17,000,000+

Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 ranks several of the brands on this list. Sales figures also give an idea of the scale of businesses such as McDonald’s, 7-Eleven, Taco Bell and Ace Hardware.

1. Jersey Mike’s Subs

Category	Details
Industry	Food / Quick-Service Restaurants
Estimated Initial Investment	$436,000
Ranking Highlight	#1 on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500

Jersey Mike’s Subs is a sandwich franchise known for its made-to-order subs. It ranked first in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, making it a notable option for anyone looking into food franchises.

Opening a Jersey Mike’s outlet comes with an estimated initial investment of $436,000. The amount is a starting point, not necessarily the full cost of getting the business up and running. Rent, equipment, ingredients and employee wages can add to the bill. Anyone interested in owning a location should check the latest franchise details to understand the costs involved.

Key Points

• Sandwich franchise specialising in made-to-order subs
• Estimated initial investment: $436,000
• Ranked #1 on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500

2. McDonald’s

Category	Details
Industry	Food / Quick-Service Restaurants
Estimated Initial Investment	464,500–1,000,000+
Global Systemwide Sales	$139.4 billion

McDonald’s needs little introduction. Its burgers, fries and other menu items are sold through restaurants across the world, making it one of the biggest names in fast food.

The brand’s reported global systemwide sales stand at $139.4 billion. This is the total sales figure for its restaurant network, not the amount an individual franchise owner earns.

The estimated initial investment ranges from $464,500 to more than $1 million. The cost of opening a restaurant is only part of the calculation, as franchisees also need to account for expenses such as staff, supplies and day-to-day operations. The exact requirements should be checked before taking the next step.

Key Points

• One of the best-known names in fast food
• Reported global systemwide sales: $139.4 billion
• Estimated initial investment: $464,500 to more than $1 million

3. 7-Eleven

Industry	Convenience Stores
Estimated Initial Investment	Varies widely
Global Systemwide Sales	$104.9 billion

7-Eleven operates in the convenience store business. Its stores give customers a place to pick up everyday items without making a separate trip to a supermarket or larger retailer.

The supplied figures list global systemwide sales of $104.9 billion. Its franchise costs, however, do not fit into one fixed investment range. The amount a prospective owner needs can depend on the specific franchise arrangement and store.

Anyone interested in 7-Eleven should first find out which opportunities the company offers in their preferred location. They should then review the financial terms, store requirements and expenses before deciding whether the business fits their budget.

Key Points

• Convenience store franchise
• Global systemwide sales of $104.9 billion in the supplied figures
• Initial investment varies by opportunity

4. Dunkin’

Industry	Food / Retail
Estimated Initial Investment	121,400–443,000
Ranking Highlight	#3 on the supplied Franchise 500 listing

Dunkin’ operates in the coffee, beverage and quick-service food market. Its retail presence gives franchise owners a business built around products customers may buy as part of their daily routine.

The estimated initial investment ranges from $121,400 to $443,000. That is a broad range, so prospective owners should not assume that every outlet will cost the same to open.

Before choosing a location, an owner needs to consider local demand, nearby competition, rent and the costs of staffing the outlet. These details can affect how much money the business needs after opening, not just how much it costs to get started.

Key Points

• Coffee and quick-service food business
• Estimated initial investment of 121,400–443,000
• Ranked #3 in the supplied Franchise 500 listing

5. Taco Bell

Industry	Food / Quick-Service Restaurants
Estimated Initial Investment	525,100–935,000+
Sales Highlight	$18.4 billion
Ranking Highlight	#2 on the supplied Franchise 500 food list

Taco Bell focuses on Mexican-inspired fast food, with a menu built around items such as tacos, burritos and other quick-service meals. It operates in a competitive market where location, customer demand and operating costs all matter.

The estimated initial investment starts at $525,100 and can exceed $935,000. Anyone considering the brand should work out how much capital they can commit and whether they can cover the costs of running the restaurant after opening.

The supplied figures also list $18.4 billion in sales and a #2 position on the Franchise 500 food list. Prospective franchisees should check the source and reporting period for these figures before using them to compare Taco Bell with other brands.

Key Points

• Mexican-inspired quick-service restaurant
• Estimated initial investment of 525,100–935,000+
• Supplied sales figure of $18.4 billion

6. Ace Hardware

Industry	Retail
Estimated Initial Investment	$612,000
Sales Highlight	$24.1 billion
Ranking Highlight	#4 on the supplied Franchise 500 listing

Ace Hardware serves customers who need tools, hardware and other home improvement products. Unlike a restaurant, a hardware store depends heavily on its product range, inventory management and ability to serve local customers.

The supplied figures list an initial investment of $612,000 and sales of $24.1 billion. Before investing, a prospective owner should examine the store requirements, inventory costs and the demand for hardware products in the intended area.

Location also matters. A store needs access to customers who regularly buy repair supplies, tools and other essential products. Understanding the local market can help an owner decide whether the investment makes sense.

Key Points

• Hardware and home improvement retail
• Estimated initial investment of $612,000
• Supplied sales figure of $24.1 billion

7. The UPS Store

Industry	Business Services
Estimated Initial Investment	$114,000
Ranking Highlight	#7 on the supplied Franchise 500 listing

The UPS Store operates in the business services sector. Its franchise model centres on services such as shipping, packing and related business support, rather than food or traditional retail alone.

The supplied initial investment of $114,000 makes it one of the lower-cost options in this list. However, the actual amount a franchisee needs will depend on the specific location and the expenses associated with opening and operating the store.

People considering this franchise should look at the demand for shipping and business services in their area. Nearby businesses, residents and online sellers may all form part of the customer base, depending on the location.

Key Points

• Business services franchise
• Estimated initial investment of $114,000
• Ranked #7 in the supplied Franchise 500 listing

8. Kumon

Industry	Children’s Education
Estimated Initial Investment	$102,000
Ranking Highlight	#5 on the supplied Franchise 500 listing

Kumon operates in children’s education, with a focus on helping students develop skills through structured learning programmes. Its business model differs from food and retail franchises because it centres on education rather than selling physical products.

The estimated initial investment stands at $102,000. People interested in opening a Kumon centre should consider the local demand for supplementary education, the availability of suitable premises and the time required to manage the centre.

Parents’ needs and the number of competing tutoring services can also influence a centre’s prospects. Researching the area before committing to the investment can help prospective owners make a more informed decision.

Key Points

• Children’s education and tutoring
• Estimated initial investment of $102,000
• Ranked #5 in the supplied Franchise 500 listing

9. Wingstop

Industry	Food / Quick-Service Restaurants
Estimated Initial Investment	$310,000
Ranking Highlight	#6 on the supplied Franchise 500 listing

Wingstop specialises in chicken wings and related menu items. It competes in the quick-service restaurant market, where customers often look for convenient meals, takeaway options and food they can share.

The supplied investment estimate is $310,000. Before moving forward, a prospective franchisee should check the current financial requirements and understand the costs of opening and operating a restaurant.

Food businesses also require close attention to stock, staff schedules, food quality and customer service. An owner needs to manage these everyday details while keeping operating costs under control.

Key Points

• Chicken-focused quick-service restaurant
• Estimated initial investment of $310,000
• Ranked #6 in the supplied Franchise 500 listing

10. Hampton by Hilton

Industry	Lodging / Hospitality
Estimated Initial Investment	$17,000,000+
Ranking Highlight	#8 on the supplied Franchise 500 listing

Hampton by Hilton operates in the hotel industry. Unlike a small retail outlet or tutoring centre, a hotel requires a much larger investment and involves managing several parts of the guest experience, from room operations to housekeeping and customer service.

The supplied starting investment exceeds $17 million. That figure puts Hampton by Hilton in a very different financial category from most of the other franchises on this list.

Anyone considering a hotel franchise needs to study the local tourism and business travel markets, property costs, staffing requirements and ongoing operating expenses. They should also review the brand’s requirements before deciding whether to pursue a hotel project.

Key Points

• Hotel and hospitality franchise
• Estimated initial investment of $17 million or more
• Ranked #8 in the supplied Franchise 500 listing

Frequently Asked Questions

Which are the top franchise businesses in the USA?

This list includes Jersey Mike’s Subs, McDonald’s, 7-Eleven, Dunkin’, Taco Bell, Ace Hardware, The UPS Store, Kumon, Wingstop and Hampton by Hilton. They operate across food, retail, education, business services and hospitality.

Which franchise has the lowest initial investment on this list?

Kumon has the lowest stated estimate at $102,000, followed by The UPS Store at $114,000. Check the latest franchise documents to confirm the current costs and any additional financial requirements.

Which franchise requires the largest investment?

Hampton by Hilton has the largest estimate in this list, at more than $17 million. Hotel projects require a much larger financial commitment than most small retail or service outlets.

How much money do I need to open a franchise in the USA?

The amount depends on the brand and the type of business. The estimates in this list range from $102,000 for Kumon to more than $17 million for Hampton by Hilton. Some brands, such as 7-Eleven, have costs that vary widely.

Is buying a franchise better than starting an independent business?

A franchise gives you the opportunity to work under an established brand and follow its business model. In return, you must follow the franchisor’s terms and account for franchise fees and other costs. An independent business gives you more control, but you must build your own brand and operating processes.

What should I check before investing in a franchise?

Review the franchise disclosure document, initial investment, ongoing fees, contract terms, location requirements and working capital needs. You should also research local demand and understand the daily responsibilities of running the business.

Can I compare franchises by their sales figures alone?

No. Systemwide sales do not tell you how much an individual franchise owner earns. Compare the total investment, operating costs, fees and financial information for the specific franchise opportunity before making a decision.