A new category in restaurant franchising is fast casual. Defined as a blend of fast-food efficiency and restaurant–quality ingredients, fast casual franchises offer healthier food (focusing heavily on organics), the ability to customize meals to a greater degree, higher price points, larger quantities, and occasionally some level of dine-in service. This fresh and healthy approach to casual dining prepared at the same speed of traditional fast-food is quickly rising in popularity, making the fast casual category a solid franchise investment.
Allied Market Research valued the fast casual restaurant segment at US$125.6 billion in 2019, and expects the category to reach $209.1 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 10.6 percent over 2021 to 2027. Although a much smaller segment than fast food, fast casual’s project growth more than doubles that of the global fast-food restaurant market.
According to Allied Market Research, the global fast-food market size was valued at US$647.7 billion in 2019 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.6 percent to reach $931.7 billion by 2027. The key market drivers for this growth are an increase in new product-types launches over the last decade, the rise in demand for quickly prepared food to meet on-the-go lifestyles, and the continuing popularity of dual-income working couples leaving neither spouse available to prepare family meals.
Technological advancements in scheduling software, digital inventory tracking, automated purchasing tools, and the start of food delivery services such as Door Dash and Uber Eats have increased operation efficiency, revenue generation, and customer satisfaction in the fast casual category as well. Check out these fast-casual restaurant franchises ready for a summer surge:
Canyons Burger
Established in 2008, Canyons Burger prides itself on the quality of its ingredients paired with the best dining experience and has been recognized for its efforts on Atlanta Eats. Startup costs to open a franchise with Canyons Burger begin at $50,000. To learn more about a franchise opportunity with Canyons Burger, click here.
Captain D’s, LLC
Founded in 1969 and renamed to Captain D’s in 1974, this fast casual franchise now owns 529 locations across the US. In 2021 Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 ranked Captains D’s #329 for the second year in a row. Startup costs to open a franchise with Captain D’s begin at $781,000. To learn more about a franchise opportunity with Captain D’s, LLC, click here.
Dog Haus
Founded in 2010, Dog Haus differentiates its menu with gourmet hot dogs that have helped it grow to more than 130 locations across the US. The franchise has been recognized by BuzzFeed, Yelp, CNN and other media outlets. Startup costs to open a franchise with Dog Haus begin at $350,000. To learn more about a franchise opportunity with Dog Haus, click here.
Fresh&Co
Founded in 2010 and franchising since 2018, Fresh&Co has grown to 12 operating locations based on its mission to create fresh, creative, healthy meals for its customers. Startup costs to open a franchise with Fresh&Co begin at $633,000. To learn more about a franchise opportunity with Fresh&Co, click here.
Jon Smith Subs
Founded in 1988 and franchising since 2016, Jon Smith Subs has grown to nine locations in a short time by focusing on a farm fresh sub concept. Startup costs to open a franchise with Jon Smith Subs begin at $150,000. To learn more about a franchise opportunity with Jon Smith Subs, click here.
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
Founded in 1952 and franchising since 1990, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue has grown to over 200 locations. The franchise was recognized for its success by Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 with a #1 ranking in Asian Fast-Food Franchises from 2017-2020. Startup costs to open a franchise with L&L Hawaiian Barbecue begin at $75,000. To learn more about a franchise opportunity with L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, click here.
MyFrii Franchise, LLC
Founded in 2015, MyFrii has grown to six franchise locations internationally in countries such as the US, Egypt, and Oman with plans to open two new locations in North Carolina in 2021. Startup costs to open a franchise with MyFrii Franchise, LLC begin at $75,000. To learn more about a franchise opportunity with MyFrii Franchise, LLC, click here.
This Is It! BBQ & Seafood
Founded in 1982 and franchising since 1992, This is It! BBQ & Seafood has grown to eleven locations serving southern soul food like hickory smoked barbecue and seafood. Featured on Fox 5 Atlanta, CNN, Good Day Atlanta, Better Mornings, Atlanta and Company, The New York Times, and other news outlets, This Is It! BBQ & Seafood’s startup costs begin at $150,000. To learn more about a franchise opportunity with This Is It! BBQ & Seafood, click here.
Urban Bricks
Founded and franchising since 2015, Urban Bricks sets itself apart from the pizza franchise industry by letting customers choose custom toppings for personal pizzas that are cooked in its brick ovens. With 50 locations in operation and another 50 in development or under contract, Urban Bricks has plans to expand from its Texas core throughout the US. Startup costs to open a franchise with Urban Bricks begin at $75,000. To learn more about a franchise opportunity with Urban Bricks, click here.
V3 Flatbread Pizza
Founded in 2009 in Pittsburgh, PA, and eager to start developing locations throughout the US, V3 Flatbread Pizza offers a wide variety of pizza options including gluten free crusts, vegan and vegetarian options. The franchise also prides itself on a 180 second cooking time for a consistently fast and efficient customer service xperience. Startup costs to open a franchise with V3 Flatbread Pizza begin at $100,000. To learn more about a franchise opportunity with V3 Flatbread Pizza, click here.
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