RANKED · STRONG & STEADY ONLY · 19 BRANDS
Best food & dining franchises that can start 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.
Only the cheapest disclosed format is below this budget — the upper end of the range may be far above it. 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
- 4. DOC POPCORNStrong
$135K–$393K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +3% · 2026 FDD
- 5. SBARROStrong
$212K–$906K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +25% · 2026 FDD
- 6. FiiZ DrinksStrong
$250K–$775K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +68% · 2024 FDD · 1+ year old
- 7. EverbowlSteady
$209K–$391K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +23% · 2026 FDD
- 8. D.P. DOUGHSteady
$121K–$360K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +4% · 2026 FDD
- 9. CHARLEYSSteady
$203K–$1.0M to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +9% · 2026 FDD
- 10. Ben's Soft PretzelsSteady
$101K–$345K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +9% · 2026 FDD
- 11. FriosSteady
$65K–$220K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +27% · 2026 FDD
$203K–$613K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +60% · 2026 FDD
- 13. Yummi SushiSteady
$31K–$322K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +69% · 2026 FDD
$18K–$120K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +26% · 2026 FDD
- 15. DIPPIN' DOTSSteady
$79K–$399K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +4% · 2026 FDD
$18K–$228K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +18% · 2026 FDD
$28K–$104K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +12% · 2026 FDD
- 18. RUSH BOWLSSteady
$97K–$685K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +6% · 2026 FDD
- 19. 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 | 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 | DOC POPCORN $135K–$393K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDPretzels & mall snacks2026 FDD | Strong | +3% | |
| 05 | SBARRO $212K–$906K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDPizza2026 FDD | Strong | +25% | |
| 06 | FiiZ Drinks $250K–$775K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDDrive-thru soda & specialty drinks2024 FDD · 1+ year old | Strong | +68% | |
| 07 | Everbowl $209K–$391K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDAcai & superfruit bowls2026 FDD | Steady | +23% | |
| 08 | D.P. DOUGH $121K–$360K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDPizza2026 FDD | Steady | +4% | |
| 09 | CHARLEYS $203K–$1.0M to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDSandwiches, subs & delis2026 FDD | Steady | +9% | |
| 10 | Ben's Soft Pretzels $101K–$345K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDPretzels & mall snacks2026 FDD | Steady | +9% | |
| 11 | Frios $65K–$220K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDIce cream & frozen custard2026 FDD | Steady | +27% | |
| 12 | The Peach Cobbler Factory $203K–$613K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDCrepes, cobbler & specialty desserts2026 FDD | Steady | +60% | |
| 13 | Yummi Sushi $31K–$322K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDGrocery & kiosk sushi counters2026 FDD | Steady | +69% | |
| 14 | Ace Sushi (Traditional) $18K–$120K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDGrocery & kiosk sushi counters2026 FDD | Steady | +26% | |
| 15 | DIPPIN' DOTS $79K–$399K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDIce cream & frozen custard2026 FDD | Steady | +4% | |
| 16 | Ace Sushi (Non-Traditional) $18K–$228K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDGrocery & kiosk sushi counters2026 FDD | Steady | +18% | |
| 17 | FUJISAN ASIAN BAR KIOSKS $28K–$104K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDAsian restaurants2026 FDD | Steady | +12% | |
| 18 | RUSH BOWLS $97K–$685K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDAcai & superfruit bowls2026 FDD | Steady | +6% | |
| 19 | 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.