According to Franchise Direct, the fast food industry comprises 25% of all franchise options. Fast food franchises are well-known across America, and they all target the same audience: people who want cheap food, fast. It seems like a great business opportunity, but which are the best fast-food franchises to own?

The Challenge of Finding the Best Fit

Fast food profit is based on getting as many orders as possible. As fast food operates on low margins, volume is critical to success. However, fast food franchises do not come without challenges, including the recruitment and retention of staff, which is leading brands to pursue increased automation solutions.

QSR magazine publishes the Top 50 Fast Food Chains in America, and it’s a good reference for reviewing options in the fast food industry. The ranking is not just based on the most profitable fast-food franchises to own, but on other factors that can be important when considering a franchise opportunity.

When perusing the list, look for the following:

• Growth.Is the restaurant’s growth within the U.S., and are they attracting franchisees? For example, it was noted in the Top 50 Fast Food Chains in America report that while Taco Bell opened 496 new restaurants in 2021, only 196 were in the U.S. Also, interesting to note is that McDonald’s hadn’t added units in eight years but did add six units to their portfolio in 2021 – all company-owned, not franchisee-owned.
• High initial investment. Purchasing a fast-food franchise can easily run over six figures because you are paying for the brand and the development of a high-traffic location. When you’re evaluating the best fast-food franchises to own, know how long it will take to earn a return on your investment to determine the true cost of your financial commitment.
• Reputation. When you have thousands of units in a franchise system, bad situations can impact the entire franchise network. Many fast-food franchises have had issues with food safety, failed product launches, and legal challenges. Of note, legal challenges are noted in the franchise disclosure document.
• Large ownership groups. For fast food, large ownership groups provide massive buying power to continue to offer low-cost food. However, conglomerates can also remove that personal customer experience. Know what fast food market conglomerate owns the franchise you are considering.

Inside the Antioch Pizza Shop Business

Antioch Pizza Shop has a wholesome history and feels much like a mom-and-pop brand, but on the inside it’s a high-tech, high-efficiency business with the opportunity for strong revenue generation.

The Gitnux Market Data Report 2023, updated October 31, 2023, notes some pertinent facts about the pizza industry:

• 93% of Americans eat pizza at least once a month
• The U.S. pizza industry is worth $45.1 billion
• Approximately 13% of Americans consume pizza on any given day

Pizza is a staple for American families, and Statista reports that the industry is split evenly between independent and chain restaurants. Antioch Pizza is a little bit of both – a young franchise based on a favorite independent restaurant that provides owners with a proven model of business as a franchise.

Four Options with Antioch Pizza Shop

There are four options available with an Antioch Pizza Shop franchise:

• Dine-In Restaurant. This is your traditional restaurant location that offers dining in for customers as well as take-out and delivery. Your total initial investment is $218,000-$696,500.
• Take-Out & Delivery Only Restaurant. While focusing on take-out and delivery exclusively, this type of restaurant may also have very limited seating. Your total initial investment is $218,000-$696,500.
• Express Restaurant. A smaller version of the take-out and delivery option, the Express Restaurant has a more limited menu. Your total initial investment is $101,500-$324,000.
• Mobile Food Truck. The franchise is also available as a mobile food truck. Your total initial investment is $103,500-$189,500.

Meet The Owners: Art and Karen

Art and Karen purchased a local pizzeria when faced with uncertainty in their long-term careers. They wanted more control over their financial future and a higher quality of life. They didn’t initially plan to offer franchising, but knowing how the business enhanced their lives, they wanted it to be an opportunity to provide others with the same.

Explore Antioch Pizza

The most successful business owners have a passion for what they do, and passion can be hard to develop when your business model is becoming more impersonal and automated. That’s where Antioch Pizza Shop could be more appealing when you want the operational ease of a food franchise system, but the personal impact of a wholesome, hometown business.

Talk with us about how the Antioch Pizza Shop franchise could be a fit for you as an entrepreneur, or as a multi-unit franchise veteran. We can guarantee you an honest, personal discussion on the franchise with the Antioch Pizza Shop Team.  Submit a franchise form today to find out more about your franchising opportunity with us.