7 Best Burger Franchises to Open in Mississippi
Are you searching for a list of the best burger franchises to open in Mississippi?
5 min read
By Dustin Thompson, Franchise Marketing & Development, Jack in the Box
Last updated: June 19, 2026
The burger category is the most crowded corner of the restaurant world, which is exactly why people get stuck choosing. I work inside it, so my goal here is to cut the noise: current location data, an honest read on which brands actually take new operators, and where each one fits. Jack in the Box is on the list as one option among many, not the only answer.
Key Takeaways
- The burger space splits into three models: traditional drive-thru QSR, fast-casual better-burger, and regional or limited-franchise brands.
- The largest burger footprints belong to McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's, but scale and opportunity are not the same thing.
- Actively growing burger franchises in 2026 include Culver's, Freddy's, Five Guys, and Checkers & Rally's.
- In-N-Out does not franchise. Whataburger's franchise terms are not publicly disclosed, so treat any third-party numbers with caution.
- Jack in the Box runs a 24/7, five-daypart menu and a compact 1,350 square foot prototype with dual drive-thrus, with open development markets in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
- Franchising is forecast to grow in 2026, with the IFA projecting $921.4 billion in output and the Southeast and Southwest leading.
How do you pick the right burger business to start?
Match the model to your goals before you pick a logo. A drive-thru QSR is a throughput and speed game. A fast-casual better-burger concept trades some speed for premium positioning and check size. And some brands you might admire, like In-N-Out, simply do not franchise, so they are not options at all. If budget comes first, start with how much a franchise costs.
The market backdrop helps. The International Franchise Association projects franchise output reaching $921.4 billion in 2026, with the Southeast and Southwest growing fastest. Several burger brands, including ours, are concentrating development in exactly those regions.
Here is the current U.S. footprint for the major burger brands people compare.
And here is how those brands group by business model, which is often more useful than raw size when you are deciding what to build.
Jack in the Box
I will lead with my brand, then step aside. Jack in the Box runs a large 24/7 menu across five dayparts, so a guest can order breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a late-night craving at any hour. Our 1,350 square foot prototype is built around dual drive-thrus for volume plus a walk-up window for mobile pickup.
What sets it apart for an operator is open territory. Many legacy burger brands have little whitespace left, which makes building a multi-unit portfolio hard. We are actively developing in markets including Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee, and we have supported franchisees for more than 70 years. See the steps to becoming a franchisee and the minimum liquidity required.
McDonald's
The category giant, with about 13,851 U.S. restaurants per ScrapeHero's 2026 data. Most are independently owned. For a newcomer, the hard part is access, since openings depend on completing training and sometimes relocating to where an opportunity exists.
Burger King
Around 6,588 U.S. restaurants, known for flame-grilled burgers and the Whopper. It is a large, established franchised system with domestic and international paths, so available territory is usually the gating factor.
Wendy's
About 5,703 U.S. restaurants built on square, fresh-beef patties and the Frosty. Wendy's recruits in select markets, so where you want to build matters a lot.
Sonic
Sonic runs roughly 3,375 U.S. drive-ins, heaviest in Texas, with a carhop format that is genuinely distinct. If a differentiated guest experience appeals to you, it is worth a look.
Five Guys
Five Guys has about 1,521 U.S. locations and a fast-casual, made-to-order model with fresh, never-frozen beef and hand-cut fries. It is an active franchise system with a loyal following.
Whataburger
The Texas icon runs about 1,199 U.S. restaurants, with roughly 64 percent in Texas per ScrapeHero. It was family-owned until an investment firm acquired a majority stake. Worth being precise here: Whataburger's franchise terms are not publicly disclosed, so I would not trust third-party estimates of its fees or requirements. Confirm directly with the brand.
Culver's
One of the cleaner growth stories in burgers. Culver's crossed 1,000 restaurants and sits near 1,095 U.S. locations across 27 states, and it plans dozens more openings in 2026, nearly all franchisee-owned. ButterBurgers and frozen custard anchor the menu.
Checkers & Rally's
The dual drive-thru value brand operates more than 800 locations across 28 states, with dense Southeast and Northeast coverage. It is in an active growth and remodeling phase, which can mean open territory for new operators.
Freddy's
Freddy's has grown to 500-plus locations on the strength of cooked-to-order steakburgers and frozen custard, and it has been one of the faster-growing burger franchises in the country. It offers territories across the U.S. plus international options.
Smashburger
The smashed-patty pioneer has locations across more than 35 states, with a strong eastern concentration. SmashFries and a rotating specialty-burger lineup keep the menu interesting. It is a recognizable fast-casual franchise option.
Steak 'n Shake
Steak 'n Shake runs about 392 U.S. restaurants and is now built around a Franchise Partner model, where operators take over company locations. The thin steakburgers and hand-dipped shakes are the draw, and the entry path is different from a traditional build-your-own franchise.
Shake Shack
Shake Shack has about 426 U.S. locations and pioneered the premium fast-casual burger. Important for would-be owners: Shake Shack is largely company-operated and licenses select non-traditional and international sites rather than offering broad domestic franchising, so it is not an open franchise path for most operators.
BurgerFi
BurgerFi is a fast-casual concept known for all-natural burgers and contemporary design. Be aware it went through financial distress and a bankruptcy process recently, so if you are evaluating it, do extra diligence on the brand's current footing before committing.
In-N-Out
The West Coast favorite is beloved and tightly run, but it does not franchise. You cannot own one, so it belongs on a "best burgers" list, not a "best burger businesses to start" shortlist.
Carl's Jr. & Hardee's
These sister brands under CKE Restaurants operate domestically and abroad, with Carl's Jr. concentrated in the West and Hardee's in the East. Both offer franchising, and the combined system gives operators two recognizable charbroiled-burger concepts under one parent. For broader options beyond burgers, see the best QSR franchises to own.
Best burger businesses to start in 2026, at a glance
| Brand | U.S. Locations (2026) | Model | Franchising? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack in the Box | Open development markets | Drive-thru QSR | Yes, actively |
| McDonald's | ~13,851 | Drive-thru QSR | Selective |
| Burger King | ~6,588 | Drive-thru QSR | Yes |
| Wendy's | ~5,703 | Drive-thru QSR | Select markets |
| Sonic | ~3,375 | Drive-in QSR | Yes |
| Five Guys | ~1,521 | Fast-casual | Yes |
| Whataburger | ~1,199 | Regional QSR | Terms undisclosed |
| Culver's | ~1,095 | Fast-casual | Yes, actively |
| Checkers & Rally's | 800+ | Drive-thru value | Yes, actively |
| Freddy's | 500+ | Fast-casual | Yes, actively |
| Shake Shack | ~426 | Fast-casual | Limited / company-operated |
| Steak 'n Shake | ~392 | Fast-casual | Franchise Partner model |
| In-N-Out | Regional | Regional QSR | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best burger franchise to start in 2026?
It depends on your capital, market, and goals. Actively growing options include Culver's, Freddy's, Five Guys, Checkers & Rally's, and Jack in the Box. Match the business model to what you want to operate.
Can you franchise In-N-Out or Whataburger?
In-N-Out does not franchise. Whataburger's franchise terms are not publicly disclosed, so confirm directly with the brand rather than relying on third-party figures.
Which burger brands are growing fastest?
Culver's, Freddy's, Five Guys, and Checkers & Rally's have all been expanding steadily heading into 2026.
What is the difference between QSR and fast-casual burgers?
Traditional QSR burger brands prioritize speed and drive-thru throughput, while fast-casual better-burger brands emphasize premium ingredients and a higher average check, usually with counter ordering.
Why consider Jack in the Box for a burger business?
A 24/7, five-daypart menu and a dual-drive-thru prototype, plus open development markets that many legacy brands no longer have.
Want to know where we have open burger markets?
If you want to see Jack in the Box territory near you, reach out to our franchise team.
About the author: Dustin Thompson works in Franchise Marketing & Development at Jack in the Box, where he evaluates the burger franchise landscape and helps operators decide where to build. Learn more on his author page.