The Best Hamburger Franchises

There is not much doubt that Americans love their hamburgers – and they love them in many different ways. This makes a burger franchise a much in demand store that is sure to see success – anywhere in the nation.

If you are looking for a burger franchise, you have many options. Here are the nine of the best burger franchises you might investigate as business opportunities.

McDonald’s

Ever since McDonald’s started franchising, it has become a favorite among fast food chains. Kids love the clown and the arches and it provides a good opportunity for a solid business. Most franchisees will buy an existing restaurant rather than build, but that may make the deal even better – it already is an established franchise business. A franchisee may own more than one store, and the franchise fee is $300,000. In order to complete the McDonald’s franchise business deal, though, it will cost between $950,000 and $1,800,000. Owners may own more than one store and the owner will need to be present.

Sonic Drive-In Restaurants

The Sonic Drive-In Restaurant chain is the largest of its kind. With more than 2,850 franchises in the US, and mostly in the southern states, there is plenty of room for growth. They are also looking to expand into Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Sonic offers franchise opportunities for both a traditional approach and a non-traditional one. Sonic franchisees are required to open two Sonic stores in order to qualify. To start a Sonic Drive-In franchise requires a net worth of $1,000,000 for the first store, and $3,000,000 for the second. Other stores may also be added. Training is for a twelve week period.

Hardee’s Franchises

Hardee’s has been franchising almost since its doors were opened in 1960. Its combination of hamburgers, chicken, and more, are now a popular sight with over 1,200 stores located primarily in the southern and Midwestern states. There are an additional 202 stores in foreign countries. Hardee’s is now owned by CKE Restaurants Inc., which also owns the Carl’s Jr. Restaurants. It will cost between $1,100,000 and $1,500,000 to get a store open. Potential owners will need to have a personal net worth of $1 million. Franchisee must be willing to open at least three stores, and personal involvement is required. There is also a requirement of previous restaurant or franchise experience.

Carl’s Jr. Restaurants

Carl’s Jr. Restaurants and Hardee’s are owned by CKE Restaurants Inc. Carl’s restaurants were the first to offer the Six Dollar Burger series and the Angus Beef burgers. The chain began offering franchises in 1984 and the number of franchised restaurants has grown to over 1,100 in the US and in foreign countries. Some of its stores are also co-branded with the Green Burrito restaurants. Franchisees must be able to open three stores and will need to have a net worth of $1 million. It will cost between $1,300,000 and $1,900,000 to get a store open. Potential owners must have either previous restaurant or franchise experience.

Checkers Drive-In Restaurants Inc.

Checkers has been franchising since 1986 and is well known as being a double drive-thru restaurant.

Originally without any eat-in dining, Checkers now has expanded its restaurant design to three different styles. Checkers owns both Checkers and Rally’s restaurants. There are now almost 600 Checker’s restaurants in the US and in foreign countries. Franchise fees are at $30,000, and it will cost between $476,700 and $617,200 to open a store. You will need to have a net worth of at least $400,000 for this to work.

Nathan’s Famous Franchises

Nathan’s started out in 1916 and has been well known ever since for it famous hotdogs. Nathan’s’ sells its products to stores and has different styles of fast food stores. Some of them sell hotdogs, hamburgers, Philly cheesesteaks, and desserts. Outlets range from a small kiosk in a mall to a 4,000 sq.ft. store. Nathan’s Famous Inc. also now owns Arthur Treacher’s, too. Franchising since 1975, there are now 230 Nathan’s franchises in the US and 15 in foreign countries. Franchise fees are $30,000, and it will cost between $277,400 and $1,000,000 to open a store. A personal net worth of $500,000 is required. Owners are not required to be present in the operation of the store.

A & W Restaurants Inc.

A& W Restaurants is certainly one of the fast food franchises that have been around the longest. With its first franchise in 1925, it is proven to have the long lasting taste that people want. Serving root beer, hamburgers, hotdogs and french fries, it continues to be popular. A&W is now owned by Yum! Brands, which also owns KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Long John Silver’s. There are now 367 franchises in the US, and 254 in foreign countries. The franchise fee is $20,000 and it will cost between $1 to $1.6 million to open a store. Franchisees will need to have a personal net worth of $1 million.

Farmer Boys Franchises

The Farmer Boys opened their first franchise in 1998 and were already well-known for their delicious hamburgers and giant onion rings. It is a full sit-down restaurant specializing in many hamburger choices, but also serves a full menu of 75 items, including breakfast. Farmer Boys is a privately held company that now has 48 franchises in the southwest. Exclusive territories are offered with a one-mile radius in size. The franchise fee is $45,000, and it will cost between $515,500 and $795,500 to get a store open. The franchisees net worth needs to be at least $750,000. More than one store may be owned but absentee ownership is not permitted.