Best Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) Franchises
Compare QSR franchise costs, royalty rates, and SBA loan performance. Data from 1,400+ fast food franchise FDD filings.
QSR is the largest and most analyzed franchise sector - and also the most competitive. Our corpus covers 200+ quick-service brands, from legacy giants to emerging concepts.
Average QSR franchise fee sits around $30,000–$45,000, with total investments typically ranging from $200K to over $1M depending on the concept's real estate requirements.
The best QSR franchises in our data combine strong brand recognition with relatively low SBA default rates - a signal that operators are actually making money.
How to use this list
1. Start with total cash required
The franchise fee is only one line item. Compare the full investment range, build-out, equipment, opening inventory, and working capital before you shortlist a brand.
2. Check earnings disclosure
Prioritize brands with Item 19 data, stable unit growth, and transparent franchisee economics. A cheap franchise without revenue disclosure is not automatically a good deal.
3. Pressure-test risk
Use SBA default rates, royalty burden, and payback period to separate affordable franchises from fragile ones.
| # | Brand | Royalty Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1000 Degrees Pizzeria QSR Limited DataMedium Confidence | 6.0% |
| 2 | 3 Natives QSR Limited DataHigh Confidence | 6.0% |
| 3 | 5 Tacos and Beers QSR Limited DataMedium Confidence | 5.0% |
| 4 | 85°C Bakery Cafe QSR Limited DataHigh Confidence | 6.5% |
| 5 | A SUB ABOVE, LLC QSR Medium Confidence | 6.5% |
| 6 | A.B.’S SMOKEHOUSE QSR Limited DataMedium Confidence | 5.0% |
| 7 | A1 Kitchen Bath QSR Medium Confidence | N/A |
| 8 | Abbott's Frozen Custard QSR Limited DataHigh Confidence | 5.5% |
| 9 | ABOUTEA QSR No Item 19Low Confidence | N/A |
| 10 | Abu Omar Halal QSR Full DisclosureHigh Confidence | 6.0% |
| 11 | Acai QSR Medium Confidence | 6.0% |
| 12 | Acai Industries QSR High Confidence | 5.0% |
| 13 | Acapela Modern Mex QSR Limited DataMedium Confidence | 5.0% |
| 14 | ACE SUSHI QSR Limited DataHigh Confidence | 8.0% |
| 15 | Ace Sushi Franchise Corporation Non-Traditional QSR Low Confidence | N/A |
| 16 | Ace Sushi Non-Traditional QSR Medium Confidence | N/A |
| 17 | Afuri QSR Limited DataHigh Confidence | 5.0% |
| 18 | Al Manakeesh QSR Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence | 5.0% |
| 19 | Al's Hot Chicken Franchising, LLC QSR Limited DataHigh Confidence | 6.0% |
| 20 | All Team Franchise Corporation QSR High Confidence | N/A |
| 21 | ALOHA POKE Co MultiState QSR High Confidence | 5.0% |
| 22 | Aloha Poke Co. QSR High Confidence | 5.0% |
| 23 | American Dairy Queen Corporation QSR No Item 19High Confidence | 4.0% |
| 24 | American Deli QSR Limited DataMedium Confidence | 3.0% |
| 25 | American Kolache QSR Limited DataHigh Confidence | 6.0% |
| 26 | Amsterdam Falafelshop QSR Limited DataMedium Confidence | 5.0% |
| 27 | ANDA BOBA TEA QSR No Item 19Medium Confidence | 2.0% |
| 28 | Andy's Frozen Custard QSR Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence | 6.0% |
| 29 | Angry Chickz QSR Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence | 6.0% |
| 30 | Angry Crab Shack QSR Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence | 5.0% |
| 31 | Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza & Wings QSR No Item 19Low Confidence | 5.5% |
| 32 | Antioch Pizza Shop QSR Limited DataHigh Confidence | 5.0% |
| 33 | Apple Spice® QSR Limited DataHigh Confidence | 6.0% |
| 34 | Applebees Neighborhood Grill Bar QSR High Confidence | 4.0% |
| 35 | Aqua Chill Drinking Water Systems® QSR Limited DataMedium Confidence | 7.0% |
| 36 | Arby’s QSR Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence | 4.0% |
| 37 | ARCHIVE J.S Subs QSR High Confidence | 6.0% |
| 38 | Arlenco Distribution QSR No Item 19Medium Confidence | 3.0% |
| 39 | AROMA JOE’S QSR Limited DataHigh Confidence | 8.0% |
| 40 | Artichoke Pizza QSR Limited DataLow Confidence | N/A |
| 41 | Arwa Coffee QSR Limited DataHigh Confidence | 4.0% |
| 42 | Asian Box QSR Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence | 5.0% |
| 43 | Ateaz QSR Limited DataHigh Confidence | 6.0% |
| 44 | ATL Wing Spot QSR Limited DataMedium Confidence | 5.0% |
| 45 | Atomic Wings QSR Limited DataHigh Confidence | 5.0% |
| 46 | Atomic Wings - Area Representative Offering QSR Low Confidence | N/A |
| 47 | Atomic Wings - Unit Offering QSR High Confidence | 5.0% |
| 48 | Au Za’atar QSR Limited DataHigh Confidence | 5.0% |
| 49 | Aunt Millie's Bakeries QSR No Item 19Medium Confidence | N/A |
| 50 | Auntie Anne's QSR Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence | 7.0% |
| 51 | Auntie Anne's Franchisor SPV QSR High Confidence | 7.0% |
| 52 | Azal Coffee QSR Limited DataMedium Confidence | 5.0% |
| 53 | Azuquita QSR Limited DataMedium Confidence | 5.5% |
| 54 | B NUTRITIOUS QSR Limited DataMedium Confidence | 5.0% |
| 55 | B.GOOD QSR Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence | 5.0% |
| 56 | Baba Saj QSR Limited DataHigh Confidence | 5.0% |
| 57 | Baba's Halal QSR No Item 19High Confidence | 6.0% |
| 58 | Back A Yard Caribbean Grill LLC QSR Medium Confidence | 5.0% |
| 59 | BACON BITCH QSR Limited DataMedium Confidence | 6.0% |
| 60 | BAD ASS COFFEE COMPANY OF HAWAII, INC QSR Medium Confidence | 6.0% |
| 61 | BAD ASS COFFEE OF HAWAII QSR Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence | 5.0% |
| 62 | Bagel Boss QSR Limited DataHigh Confidence | 5.0% |
| 63 | Bahama Buck’s QSR Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence | 6.0% |
| 64 | Baja Fresh QSR Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence | 5.0% |
| 65 | Bake QSR Medium Confidence | 5.0% |
| 66 | Bake Code QSR Limited DataHigh Confidence | 5.0% |
| 67 | Bakery QSR High Confidence | 6.0% |
| 68 | Bang Cookies QSR Limited DataHigh Confidence | 6.0% |
| 69 | Barrio Burrito Bar QSR Limited DataHigh Confidence | 6.0% |
| 70 | Baskin-Robbins QSR Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence | 5.9% |
| 71 | Bay Poke QSR No Item 19Medium Confidence | 4.0% |
| 72 | bb.q Chicken QSR Limited DataHigh Confidence | 5.0% |
| 73 | Bb.Q Chicken - Unit Offering QSR High Confidence | 5.0% |
| 74 | Bb.Q Chicken Ar Offering QSR Medium Confidence | 5.0% |
| 75 | Bean Bastard Coffee QSR No Item 19Medium Confidence | 5.0% |
Showing 75 of 1,352 brands. View all →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most profitable fast food franchise?
Profitability varies by market and operator. Our FDD data shows several QSR concepts with strong Item 19 disclosures and cash-on-cash returns above 20%. Chick-fil-A has famously high volume but a unique operator model. McDonald's and Chick-fil-A consistently rank highly for franchisee satisfaction.
How much does a fast food franchise cost?
QSR franchise costs span a wide range. A small sandwich or sub concept might cost $150K–$350K. A traditional fast food franchise from a major brand can cost $500K to over $2M including real estate, equipment, and working capital.
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Last updated: April 2026