RANKED · STRONG & STEADY ONLY · 30 BRANDS
Best food & dining franchises under $1M
Only brands we rate Strong or Steady appear — from a current FDD (no more than two years old), with enough history to judge, and a loan record that doesn't cap the rating. Strong first. Verdicts are our opinion from the filed record, not investment advice.
The full disclosed Item 7 investment range is below this budget. These are filing estimates, not a quote for your location.
- 1. KONA ICEStrong
$115K–$229K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +16% · 2026 FDD
- 2. KUNG FU TEAStrong
$169K–$378K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +32% · 2024 FDD · 1+ year old
$185K–$265K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +135% · 2026 FDD
$276K–$771K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +20% · 2026 FDD
- 5. Shipley Do-NutsStrong
$517K–$855K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +13% · 2026 FDD
- 6. DOC POPCORNStrong
$135K–$393K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +3% · 2026 FDD
- 7. SBARROStrong
$212K–$906K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +25% · 2026 FDD
- 8. FiiZ DrinksStrong
$250K–$775K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +68% · 2024 FDD · 1+ year old
- 9. KILWINSStrong
$405K–$880K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +26% · 2026 FDD
- 10. Marco's PizzaStrong
$286K–$805K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +12% · 2024 FDD · 1+ year old
- 11. EverbowlSteady
$209K–$391K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +23% · 2026 FDD
- 12. Cold Stone CreamerySteady
$391K–$681K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +18% · 2026 FDD
- 13. DUCK DONUTSSteady
$497K–$706K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +28% · 2024 FDD · 1+ year old
- 14. D.P. DOUGHSteady
$121K–$360K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +4% · 2026 FDD
- 15. CLEAN EATZSteady
$354K–$798K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +42% · 2024 FDD · 1+ year old
- 16. Rock N Roll SushiSteady
$326K–$959K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +22% · 2026 FDD
- 17. Ben's Soft PretzelsSteady
$101K–$345K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +9% · 2026 FDD
- 18. FriosSteady
$65K–$220K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +27% · 2026 FDD
$293K–$769K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +2% · 2024 FDD · 1+ year old
$203K–$613K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +60% · 2026 FDD
- 21. Yummi SushiSteady
$31K–$322K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +69% · 2026 FDD
$18K–$120K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +26% · 2026 FDD
- 23. DIPPIN' DOTSSteady
$79K–$399K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +4% · 2026 FDD
$341K–$463K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +4% · 2025 FDD
$18K–$228K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +18% · 2026 FDD
$28K–$104K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +12% · 2026 FDD
- 27. RUSH BOWLSSteady
$97K–$685K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +6% · 2026 FDD
- 28. MARBLE SLAB CREAMERYSteady
$355K–$477K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: -0% · 2025 FDD
- 29. MAI SUSHI BARSSteady
$26K–$77K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +546% · 2025 FDD
- 30. SubwaySteady
$263K–$630K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: -7% · 2026 FDD
| # | Units · latest run | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | KONA ICE $115K–$229K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDShaved ice & Italian ice2026 FDD | Strong | +16% | |
| 02 | KUNG FU TEA $169K–$378K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDBubble tea2024 FDD · 1+ year old | Strong | +32% | |
| 03 | TRAVELIN' TOM'S COFFEE $185K–$265K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDCoffee2026 FDD | Strong | +135% | |
| 04 | Tropical Smoothie Cafe $276K–$771K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDSmoothie & juice bars2026 FDD | Strong | +20% | |
| 05 | Shipley Do-Nuts $517K–$855K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDDonuts2026 FDD | Strong | +13% | |
| 06 | DOC POPCORN $135K–$393K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDPretzels & mall snacks2026 FDD | Strong | +3% | |
| 07 | SBARRO $212K–$906K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDPizza2026 FDD | Strong | +25% | |
| 08 | FiiZ Drinks $250K–$775K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDDrive-thru soda & specialty drinks2024 FDD · 1+ year old | Strong | +68% | |
| 09 | KILWINS $405K–$880K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDChocolate, candy & edible gifts2026 FDD | Strong | +26% | |
| 10 | Marco's Pizza $286K–$805K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDPizza2024 FDD · 1+ year old | Strong | +12% | |
| 11 | Everbowl $209K–$391K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDAcai & superfruit bowls2026 FDD | Steady | +23% | |
| 12 | Cold Stone Creamery $391K–$681K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDIce cream & frozen custard2026 FDD | Steady | +18% | |
| 13 | DUCK DONUTS $497K–$706K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDDonuts2024 FDD · 1+ year old | Steady | +28% | |
| 14 | D.P. DOUGH $121K–$360K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDPizza2026 FDD | Steady | +4% | |
| 15 | CLEAN EATZ $354K–$798K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDSalads, bowls & healthy fast casual2024 FDD · 1+ year old | Steady | +42% | |
| 16 | Rock N Roll Sushi $326K–$959K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDAsian restaurants2026 FDD | Steady | +22% | |
| 17 | Ben's Soft Pretzels $101K–$345K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDPretzels & mall snacks2026 FDD | Steady | +9% | |
| 18 | Frios $65K–$220K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDIce cream & frozen custard2026 FDD | Steady | +27% | |
| 19 | RITA'S ICE-CUSTARD-HAPPINESS $293K–$769K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDShaved ice & Italian ice2024 FDD · 1+ year old | Steady | +2% | |
| 20 | The Peach Cobbler Factory $203K–$613K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDCrepes, cobbler & specialty desserts2026 FDD | Steady | +60% | |
| 21 | Yummi Sushi $31K–$322K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDGrocery & kiosk sushi counters2026 FDD | Steady | +69% | |
| 22 | Ace Sushi (Traditional) $18K–$120K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDGrocery & kiosk sushi counters2026 FDD | Steady | +26% | |
| 23 | DIPPIN' DOTS $79K–$399K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDIce cream & frozen custard2026 FDD | Steady | +4% | |
| 24 | GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES $341K–$463K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDCookies, cupcakes & cakes2025 FDD | Steady | +4% | |
| 25 | Ace Sushi (Non-Traditional) $18K–$228K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDGrocery & kiosk sushi counters2026 FDD | Steady | +18% | |
| 26 | FUJISAN ASIAN BAR KIOSKS $28K–$104K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDAsian restaurants2026 FDD | Steady | +12% | |
| 27 | RUSH BOWLS $97K–$685K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDAcai & superfruit bowls2026 FDD | Steady | +6% | |
| 28 | MARBLE SLAB CREAMERY $355K–$477K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDIce cream & frozen custard2025 FDD | Steady | -0% | |
| 29 | MAI SUSHI BARS $26K–$77K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDGrocery & kiosk sushi counters2025 FDD | Steady | +546% | |
| 30 | Subway $263K–$630K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDSandwiches, subs & delis2026 FDD | Steady | -7% |
A broker is usually paid by the franchisor to place you. I'm paid only by you, never by a franchisor you're considering — and the job is pressure-testing the numbers, including talking you out of a bad deal.