RANKED · STRONG & STEADY ONLY · 6 BRANDS
Best food & dining franchises under $250K
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. FriosSteady
$65K–$220K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +27% · 2026 FDD
$18K–$120K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +26% · 2026 FDD
$18K–$228K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +18% · 2026 FDD
$28K–$104K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +12% · 2026 FDD
- 6. MAI SUSHI BARSSteady
$26K–$77K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +546% · 2025 FDD
| # | Units · latest run | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | KONA ICE $115K–$229K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDShaved ice & Italian ice2026 FDD | Strong | +16% | |
| 02 | Frios $65K–$220K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDIce cream & frozen custard2026 FDD | Steady | +27% | |
| 03 | Ace Sushi (Traditional) $18K–$120K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDGrocery & kiosk sushi counters2026 FDD | Steady | +26% | |
| 04 | Ace Sushi (Non-Traditional) $18K–$228K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDGrocery & kiosk sushi counters2026 FDD | Steady | +18% | |
| 05 | FUJISAN ASIAN BAR KIOSKS $28K–$104K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDAsian restaurants2026 FDD | Steady | +12% | |
| 06 | MAI SUSHI BARS $26K–$77K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDGrocery & kiosk sushi counters2025 FDD | Steady | +546% |
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.