Food franchises enjoy immense popularity that translates into a profitable business for the ones owing these businesses. Globalisation and market liberalisation have enhanced brand awareness amongst Indian consumers. It has created several opportunities for overseas brands to set up franchises in India. Through franchising, business owners can leverage the vast market and cater to the diverse requirements of the mass.

So, if looking for the best food franchise in India here are some ideas you can turn to.

Franchising refers to a business model where a franchiser issues a licence to the franchisee to use their brand, design, trademark, and profile to sell products to customers. So, if you want to start such a business, you must enter into a contract/agreement. Below is the list of some best food franchise businesses in India you can opt for:

1. McDonald's

McDonald's started in 1955, and its franchise is the 2nd largest employment provider in India. Currently, McDonald's has about 38000+ outlets in more than 100 countries and 180+ outlets in India. Owning such a renowned food franchise in India is a dream come true for many entrepreneurs. Opening a McDonald’s franchise can help entrepreneurs become financially independent by earning an enormous profit margin. 

• Investment: ₹1.5 crores to ₹10 crores
• Resources: You require a spacious outlet, food and outlet licences with permits, kitchen utensils, oven, baker, deep freezers, fryers, and many more types of equipment.
• Market Demand: McDonald's is estimated to grow considerably in India as it plans to open more outlets in several Indian cities.
• Profit Margin: ₹12 lakh monthly

2. The Amul Ice Cream Corporation

Amul, famous for its dairy products and milk, comes among the best food franchise businesses in India. The brand offers two kinds of franchises to the public. There is Amul Kiosk or Amul Railway parlour and Amul ice cream scooping parlour. To open the Amul franchise, you must have 100-150 sq. ft. of outlet space. Currently, Amul has about 1500 scooping parlour franchises across India.

• Investment: ₹6 lakhs to ₹10 lakhs
• Resources: You require an outlet, infrastructure, equipment and décor, licences, a dedicated team to handle clients, etc.
• Market Demand: The Indian dairy market will grow to ₹30840 billion by 2027, representing a CAGR of 14.98%, during 2022-2027.
• Profit Margin: ₹5 lakhs monthly

3. Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)

Kentucky Fried Chicken is the best food franchise in India that barely has competitors. KFC began franchises in 1952 in the United States and quickly gained popularity worldwide. Today, it has more than 40000 outlets globally and is a profitable business franchise in India. However, the total investment to set up a franchise of KFC is high.

• Investment: ₹50 lakhs to ₹ 3 crore
• Resources: You require licence, food and restaurant equipment, electricity, water connections, outlet licences, etc. 
• Market Demand: In the long term, the company aims for global system sales growth of 2%-3% and global unit growth of around 4%-5%.
• Profit Margin: ₹3 lakhs to ₹4 lakhs monthly

4. Burger King

Burger King is the 2nd-largest hamburger chain in the United States. It has almost 14000 stores in 100 countries worldwide. Burger King sells chicken, burgers, salads, veggies and desserts. If you want to opt for a Burger King franchise in India, you will get proper guidance from the franchisor on opening a Burger King franchise with investment information. 

• Investment: ₹3 crores to ₹10 crores
• Resources: You require food and restaurant licences, 1200 sq. ft. space for your outlet, electricity, outlet licences, equipment, etc.
• Market Demand: Burger King in India will grow by 17.27%, with an overall worth of INR 827.63 billion by 2025.
• Profit Margin: ₹3 lakhs to ₹4 lakhs monthly

5. Haldiram’s

Haldiram’s started in Bikaner in 1941 as a small outlet. Today, it has grown to an extensive snacks and frozen food outlet. It has expanded to about 80 countries apart from India. The firm was declared the largest snack company, outperforming the local and foreign competition. The prosperity of Haldiram’s is not limited to India. 

• Investment: ₹1 crore to ₹4 crores
• Resources: You require a shop, infrastructure, décor, food and outlet licences, equipment, a dedicated team, etc.
• Market Demand: With the plan to open several shops, Haldiram’s will grow considerably in the upcoming years. 
• Profit Margin: ₹2 lakhs to 5 lakhs monthly

6. Nizam’s Biryani

Nizam’s Biryani is a popular name in the biryani food business sector. It offers a menu of more than 30 different styles of biryani, kebabs, tandoors, main courses and combo meals, thus having a great customer inflow. The best part of this company is it has a concept-based business structure that is open to modifications depending on the location and investment you offer. 

• Investment: ₹12 lakhs to ₹15 lakhs
• Resources: You require a spacious shop, infrastructure, food and outlet licences, equipment, a trained team of staff, etc.
• Market Demand: With the plan to open several outlets in other Indian cities, this company is expected to have a high CAGR over the years. 
• Profit Margin: ₹1 lakh to 5 lakhs monthly

7. T.G.I. Friday’s

T.G.I. Friday’s acronym stands for “Thank Goodness It’s Friday" and aims to promote a fun environment when it is Friday. It is an international chain restaurant famous for its quick and casual dining experience. The menu consists of delicacies- chicken dishes, burgers, pasta, steaks, seafood, sandwiches, and many more. Besides the food, this franchise has also enhanced its bar with a list of custom-made cocktails.

• Investment: ₹25 lakhs to ₹50 lakhs
• Resources: You require an outlet, furniture, equipment and décor, food and outlet licences, utensils, and other equipment.
• Market Demand: As T.G.I.F plans to open more stores, this brand could return to 30 openings per year, and double its footprint, especially in Europe and Asia. TGI Fridays is seeing unmatched growth worldwide, with same-store sales growing at an average of 23% globally.
• Profit Margin: ₹1 lakh to 3 lakhs monthly

8. Domino's Pizza

Jubilant Fireworks is the parent company of Domino's Pizza and is considered one of the best food franchise in India. It is the 2nd biggest pizza chain in the United States and has innumerable outlets in India. An impressive franchise for selling pizzas, Domino's offers traditional, non-traditional and transitional stores.

• Investment: ₹50 lakhs to ₹ 70 lakhs
• Resources: You require food and restaurant licences, electricity, outlet licences, equipment and signage, real estate, and store build-out.
• Market Demand: India's quick service restaurant (QSR) market will grow from ₹145 billion to ₹534 billion by 2025.
• Profit Margin: ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakhs monthly

9. Dunkin’s Donuts

Launched in India in April 2012, Dunkin’ Donuts is a famous brand for doughnuts, burgers, and coffee lovers, across the country. Dunkin’ Donuts is an American doughnut company based in Massachusetts. It has become one of the largest coffee and baked goods chains worldwide, with more than 12000 outlets in 36 countries. Today, the products this chain offers include doughnuts, bagels, a variety of hot and iced beverages, and other baked goods.

• Investment: ₹70 lakhs to ₹1 crore
• Resources: You require an outlet, food and outlet licences and permits, kitchen utensils, and many types of equipment.
• Market Demand: As of 2023, Dunkin Brands has a market cap of $8.77 billion. It makes Dunkin Brands the world's most valuable company by market cap.
• Profit Margin: ₹1 lakh to 3 lakhs monthly

10. Subway

Subway is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates. It is among the first food chains in India that offered fast food to customers. It broke the stereotype of people believing that fast food is an unhealthy choice. Subway changed the notion of the fast-food franchise business by introducing sandwiches made with seafood as a delicious and unique alternative. Subway has more than 44210 restaurants spread across 110 nations and more than 531 restaurants across 70 Indian cities.

• Investment: ₹25 lakhs to ₹30 lakhs
• Resources: You require food and restaurant licences, space for your outlet, electricity, outlet licences, restaurant equipment and tools, etc.
• Market Demand: Subway plans to grow its QSR Franchise in India to 2000 franchise outlets in various Indian cities shortly.
• Profit Margin: ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakhs monthly

11. Wow! Momo

Wow! Momo is an Indian fast-food chain founded in 2008. Wow! Momo specialises in dumplings, momo, Nepalese and Tibetan delicacies. This franchise aims to enhance Indian gourmet food tastes through its various culinary innovations and service standardisation. It has over 1120 outlets in over 16 Indian cities, valued at ₹860 crores.

• Investment: ₹1 lakh to ₹8 lakhs
• Resources: You require a food license, space for franchisee outlets, electricity, outlet licenses and permits, restaurant equipment and tools, etc.
• Market Demand: Momo, one of the best street foods in India, is estimated to cover a market of close to $2.7 billion.
• Profit Margin: ₹85000 to ₹1 lakh monthly

12. Kathi Junction

Kathi Junction is another famous fast-food outlet offering a variety of rolls to customers. This kind of food is a staple in a variety of Indian cities. Kathi is known for the rolls that offer delicious and heavy stuffings. This food franchise brand also offers excellent opportunities for franchise owners by providing affordable investment options and simple menu items. Kathi Junction currently has more than 50 outlets in India.

• Investment: ₹9 lakhs to ₹10 lakhs
• Resources: You require a proper outlet, equipment and infrastructure, décor, food and outlet licences, etc.
• Market Demand: With the plan to open more outlets, Kathi Junction will grow considerably in the upcoming years. 
• Profit Margin: ₹60000 monthly

13. Biryani Corner

Founded in 2015, Biryani Corner is one of the favourite spots of people that offers a street food style-based biryani known for its spicy touch. Although it has a simple business structure, it provides biryani business franchise opportunities to entrepreneurs intending to reach out to different Indian cities and establish itself as a brand. So, if you are seeking a low biryani franchise cost business with profitable returns, this idea might be a great choice.

• Investment: ₹50000 to ₹1 lakhs
• Resources: You require a small shop, kitchen equipment and infrastructure, food licenses, a trained team, etc.
• Market Demand: With the plan to open more outlets, Biryani Corner will grow considerably in the upcoming years. 
• Profit Margin: ₹30000 to 1 lakh monthly

14. Tibbs Frankie

When finding affordable food choices in India, Tibbs Frankie comes among the best food franchise in India. In India, Amarjit Singh founded Tibb's Frankie in 1969. Now, it is a business having outlets in fifteen Indian cities and has more than 300 food outlets. However, 2 franchise outlets of Tibbs Frankie cannot be within close range. Furthermore, the location must be at a mall or a crowded place.

• Investment: ₹3 lakhs to ₹5 lakhs
• Resources: You require a spacious outlet, basic infrastructure, equipment and décor, licences, a dedicated team to handle customers, etc.
• Market Demand: The Indian dairy market will grow to ₹30840 billion by 2027, representing a CAGR of 14.98% by 2027.
• Profit Margin: ₹30000 monthly

15. Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut has more than 500 outlets across India. It is the first international restaurant chain that started business in Bangalore, India, in June 1996. Yum! Group of businesses owns Pizza Hut. It is the oldest pizza brand with a dedicated clientele. In terms of global presence, Pizza Hut was among the very first pizza chains to venture into the Indian marketplace. Hence it is one of the best food franchise businesses in India.

• Investment: ₹20 lakhs to ₹30 lakhs
• Resources: You require 1000 and 1500 square feet of space, food licences, outlet licences and permits, restaurant equipment and tools, electricity, etc.
• Market Demand: The Pizza Market will grow into a market of USD 42.20 million by 2025, at a CAGR of 5.45%.
• Profit Margin: ₹20000 to ₹50000 monthly

This is all the information available on the best food franchise in India. As per recent reports, the global fast-food market will grow to USD 1467.04 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 6.05%. Moreover, the country's quick service restaurants or QSR market will reach USD 1069.3 million by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 9.15%.

As the annual spending of the middle-class household on fast food restaurants in India's Tier 2 and 3 cities have enhanced, the demand for setting up franchises has grown too. The competition continues to extend to large food service chains such as Burger King, McDonald's, and Domino's as they deepen their reach in India’s smaller cities and benefit from a younger demographic.