20 Best Franchises to Start in 2026

Are you looking for a list of the best franchise opportunities to start in this year? My name is John, and I work in franchise development for Jack in the Box. And we understand it can be kind of hard to decide which franchise opportunity is the best for you, especially when there's so many great options to choose from. So in this video, we're gonna talk about twenty of the best franchises to start in no particular order. Alright. So let's get started. First off, let's talk about Jack in the Box. We simply had put ourselves on this list because of our innovative menu, the flexible restaurant designs we have, like the one you see behind me here, and the prime US markets that are available for franchise expansion. So Jack in the Box, you're probably familiar with our large and distinctive menu. It's 24/7 with five day parts. That's breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacking, and late night. And, you, you know, one other thing that really stands out about us is we're a brand that's been around for a long time. And we still have prime US markets. So across the United States, big cities that are still available for multi unit expansion. So this presents a really big opportunity for investors that are trying to grow with a brand in some of the most exciting markets around the United States. Alright. So let's talk about McDonald's. They're gonna be one of the most well known QSR franchises in the world. It's hard to find anyone who isn't familiar with their "I'm Lovin It" advertising campaign, and they currently have more than thirty eight thousand locations in over a hundred different countries. Now approximately 93% of their restaurants are owned and operated by independent local business owners. However, one thing you need to keep in mind is the availability of restaurants in specific areas will be uncertain until you've completed your training. So you may be required to relocate to wherever your nearest restaurant opportunity is. Next up, let's talk about Dunkin. So for more than seventy years, Dunkin has been one of the top coffee and baked goods franchises in the United States. It only took five years after Bill Rosenburg opened their first location in Quincy, Massachusetts. For Dunkin to begin expanding their footprint within franchising. Today, they have more than eleven thousand locations worldwide, with over eighty five hundred of those restaurants in the United States. The UPS Store, they're one of the more unique franchises you'll see on this list because they offer a variety of different products and services that are designed to support small business owners. So aside from packing and shipping, they also provide printing services, mailboxes, and direct mail services to the local community. So today, there are more than five thousand UPS Stores across the US, and California They have eight hundred and fifty plus. And that's gonna be the state with the most locations. Alright. So Taco Bell is gonna be one of the most well known QSR franchise is especially in the Taco World. In nineteen sixty two, their first location opened in Downey, California. And in the United States, Taco Bell and their franchisees operate over seven thousand two hundred restaurants, and they serve about forty million customers each week. So this makes Taco Bell the largest Mexican QSR concept in the world when it comes to their total number of restaurants. Their brand is growing domestically and internationally with more than a thousand restaurants located in thirty countries across the globe. Okay. So Chick fil A, they were founded by Truett Cathy in Hapeville, Georgia. It's one of the most successful fast food restaurants in America, and there are more than twenty eight hundred of those restaurants in the United States. The most are gonna be in Texas with four hundred fifty six. So today, they're currently seeking hands on franchisee candidates in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada, to own and operate their own quick service restaurant. So Del Taco is known for their authentic Tex Mex ingredients freshly prepared menu and franchise opportunities in existing and untapped markets. In two thousand twenty two, Del Taco was purchased by Jack in the Box, and they've grown to more than five hundred ninety locations in more than fifteen states. Their menu includes tacos, burritos, nachos, and other Tex Max favorites. Along with their 100% beef burgers and crinkle cut fries. But they do take things a step further. They have house grated cheddar cheese, slow cooked beans that are made from scratch, house made pico, freshly grilled chicken, freshly house made guacamole, and all their carne assada steak is marinated and then freshly grilled. So that's one of the reasons they've grown into what's the second largest brand in the Mexican QSR category especially by units, and they're aggressively expanding across the US, and they're currently seeking multi unit restaurant operators. So Anytime Fitness, they have locations all seven continents with more than forty seven hundred territories and four million members worldwide. So this twenty four hour fitness franchise, you've probably seen and they offer their members access to five thousand gyms with personalized plans and group training classes. They're looking for hard working people who are interested in joining their franchise network in America and across the globe. Alright. So, Zaxby's has seen a large amount of growth due to success with their chicken fingers, chicken wings, chicken sandwiches, and chicken salads. They have more than nine hundred locations, in eighteen different states, and the majority of them are going to be in the Southeast United States. Their headquarters is in Atlanta, and they're currently looking for franchisees to expand their restaurants into new territories. Alright. Next up is Whataburger. The story of Whataburger began at a twenty four hour stand in Corpus Christi, Texas, seventy years later, they've grown to eight hundred ninety locations, and their original idea was to just serve a burger so big. It took two hands to hold, and so good that caused the customer to exclaim "What a burger!" after their first bite. So Whataburger, they were family owned, until their recent acquisition by an investment company, and this has allowed more franchisees to open up into new markets. Alright. Next up is Culvers. Culvers is a popular burger franchise known for their frozen custard, butter burgers, and cheese curds. I recently had one. It was pretty good. And since nineteen eighty four, they've been growing their first location in Sauk City, Wisconsin. They have more than eight hundred restaurants in twenty five different states. And they're looking for owner operators with the skills to take a team of people and operate a Culver's according to their high standards. Alright. Wingstop. Wingstop specializes in chicken wings, chicken tenders, along with eleven different sauces like lemon pepper, hickory smoked barbecue, hot, mango habanero, and, of course, atomic. And their menu includes a variety of classic wings, boneless wings, and fries, along with your choice of dipping sauces. They currently have sixteen hundred locations around the world and the majority of them are in Texas, California, and Florida. Alright. Next up, let's talk about Wendy's. So in nineteen sixty nine, Dave Thomas opened the first Wendy's in Columbus, Ohio and it didn't take long before they became famous for their square beef patties, and of course the frosty desserts. Today, they operate seven thousand restaurants worldwide and they're looking for new and diverse franchisees to join their team. They have a variety of limited and available markets throughout the US. So Hampton Inn & Suites, they're one of the most well known hotel franchises in the US. Guests at Hampton Inn can have a free breakfast, enjoy fresh coffee, discounted rates, meeting rooms, internet access, gym facilities, and their franchise has more than twenty two locations across the US. There's fifty in Canada and two fifty international. Alright. So Ace Hardware, In nineteen twenty four, the history of Ace Hardware began when four hardware shop owners joined together to start Ace Stores Incorporated. This hardware franchise has grown to be a favorite with local shoppers even when compared to the Big Box National chains. Ace Hardware has more than sixty two million ace rewards members, and they're looking for new franchisees to expand their footprint across the US. So McCallister's Deli offers hearty sandwiches and sides with Southern hospitality and friendly conversation. In nineteen eighty nine, a dentist in Oxford, Mississippi with a dream turned a nineteen fifty Diner movie set into what would become the first McCallister's deli. Today, they're looking for franchisees who want to help create connections between their brand and the communities they serve. So here's one you may have not known as a franchise, The Goddard School, So with more than thirty years of expertise in childhood development, The Goddard School is one of the top child care child care franchises in the US. Their preschool franchise offers innovative and academically endorsed methods for children to have fun while still learning the skills they need for long term success. Today, there are over six hundred Goddard Schools, and they're located in thirty eight states with potential sites available to prospective franchisees in a variety of areas. So Freddie's similar to Culver's is a nostalgic fast casual restaurant with cooked to order steak burgers, hot dogs, frozen custard, and fries. They are one of the fastest growing franchises in the United States with around four hundred locations. And currently they offer exclusive territories that are available across the US along with international opportunities. Alright. Next up is Moe's. They're a fast casual Mexican restaurant that was founded in Atlanta, Georgia by Raving Brands. And the Moe's menu is known for burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas, nachos, and salads, and they even offer taco meal kits that can feed four to six people. So they're looking for franchise owners interested in building a loyal following in their market while embracing their own independent spirit. Alright, KFC, formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, was founded by Harlan "Colonel" Sanders in nineteen thirty. They began franchising a few years later in nineteen fifty two. Since then, they've grown their chicken franchise to more than twenty five thousand locations across the world. And a lot of their growth comes from outside the United States. So close to ninety nine percent of their chicken restaurants are franchised, and they bring in roughly four point six billion in US sales each year. We hope this video with the best franchises to start from this year gave you a better understanding and helped you narrow down your search. At Jack in the Box, we're looking for multi-unit investors who are excited to bring our craveable twenty four seven menu to new markets across the country. If you have any questions or would like to reach out about getting started, just fill out any form on this website, and a member of our team will be in touch. Thanks, and have a great day.