Interested in owning a quick-service restaurant franchise? Learn the best QSR franchise deals and what makes them such great opportunities.
The QSR market is a vast and varied field, so any franchise with a unique concept or a focus that caters to a specific demographic stands a higher chance of carving out its position amongst the competition. Some franchisors provide market research on their given industry, but it is equally important that you study the growth potential in the community where you plan to open your business.
The best QSR franchise deal for you will offer a combination of winning product and emphasis on customer service, comprehensive franchisee support, and a business model primed for potential. But first and foremost, you should love what you’re selling. Everyone has had experiences that were made all the better by the palpable energy of a restaurant or café, just as we’ve had experiences where it was evident the proprietors were operating without passion.
By starting with a product you really love, you’re giving yourself the best opportunity to make your franchise a true success.
Ideally, the franchise you invest in will provide you with an affordable buy-in as well as the benefit of a well-regarded name. Franchises rely heavily on the reputations of their brands to attract and retain business. The best franchises let customers know exactly what to expect and gives franchisees the opportunity to build on that positive recognition.
QSR franchises succeed by striking a careful balance between the popular standbys and the novelty of new offerings. New items appear on the menu from time to time, but they don’t deviate too far from the original concept, and the aesthetic and core products remain consistent. Whether you’re serving burgers, grab-and-go lunches, or coffee, the appeal is grounded in customers knowing what they’re going to get.
In addition to the classics, the best franchises offer seasonal options, limited time offers, and other items to attract new customers, pique the interest of existing customers and keep them all coming back for more.
To figure out whether you’ll be able to make a living from a franchise, you can explore past earnings. Some franchisors provide average earnings information in their Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), and with any franchise you should conduct your due diligence by gathering information from current franchisees.
One of the best ways to determine a franchise’s past profitability is by analyzing Item 19 of the FDD, which outlines the business’s financial performance. Also known as “The Earnings Claim,” Item 19 is an optional disclosure under the Federal Trade Commission. Three years’ worth of financial statements are contained in the FDD, providing you a healthy glimpse into a franchisor’s past ability to thrive. A lawyer or accountant can help you decipher these documents and determine which franchise will be the right financial fit.
An over-saturated market has meant that some QSR franchises were already facing closures before the pandemic hit. Toward the end of 2020, Starbucks announced it would be closing 100 stores to adjust to changing consumer habits. Meanwhile, Scooter’s Coffee® has been ahead of the curve since its inception, offering both customers and franchisees a hybrid drive-thru/coffeehouse model that suits all seasons. It has remained a QSR best franchise deal because of its resilience, with the signature drive-thru allowing customers and employees to interact in relative safety during the height of the pandemic.
As the QSR landscape continues to adjust to a changing world, franchises that are prepared for the shifting needs of their customers are well-equipped to maintain and grow their business. Scooter’s Coffee is proud to be an industry leader by continually focusing on customer service, innovating menu offerings, and finding new and original ways to satisfy customers while giving franchisees a cutting-edge advantage over the competition.
At the end of the day, you want to know that you’re investing in a franchise that will be equally invested in you and be both professionally and personally fulfilling. Scooter’s Coffee believes in four core values: integrity, love, humility, and courage. As an award-winning brand backed by 20 years of franchising experience, Scooter’s Coffee offers both new and seasoned entrepreneurs an exciting and affordable coffee franchise opportunity in the fast-paced world of QSR.
