Cheapest Food and Beverage Franchises to Open

Ranked on the low end of the Item 7 estimated initial investment, which the FTC requires to cover everything needed to open: the franchise fee, build-out, equipment, opening inventory and initial working capital. It is the honest floor, not a deposit — and the high end of the same range is often double it.

1. 1BIMBO FOODS BAKERIES DISTRIBUTION$14KItem 7 low
2. 2Arby's$16KItem 7 low
3. 3Ace Sushi$18KItem 7 low
4. 4Bento Sushi$20KItem 7 low
5. 5Snowfox$21KItem 7 low
6. 6Hana$26KItem 7 low
7. 7Hissho Sushi$27KItem 7 low
8. 8AFC Sushi$27KItem 7 low
9. 9CHESTERS$28KItem 7 low
10. 10Rock N Roll Sushi$30KItem 7 low
11. 11Jason's Deli$35KItem 7 low
12. 12Aunt Millies$37KItem 7 low
13. 13SMASHBURGER$40KItem 7 low
14. 14Toppers$40KItem 7 low
15. 15CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice$49KItem 7 low
16. 16Pizza Hut Franchise$56KItem 7 low
17. 17Hardee's$57KItem 7 low
18. 18Elmer's$60KItem 7 low
19. 19Woops!$65KItem 7 low
20. 20Frios Pops$77KItem 7 low

Computed from Item 20 of each brand's Franchise Disclosure Document and recomputed as coverage grows. Brands are excluded where the filing's own outlet arithmetic doesn't balance — a mis-parsed table should not outrank a correct one. This list has never been, and cannot be, paid for. How this is calculated.