Becky Martin, writer
You might not think that it’s possible to launch a restaurant franchise with a minimum investment of £100,000 or less but believe us - it is. Today, we take a look at seven of the top restaurant franchises in this price range and provide a little insight into what makes them unique.
In 2018, customer expenditure on restaurants and cafes reached almost £84 billion and our average weekly spend on eating out was £18.60 (Statista). It’s also thought that over 40 percent of us eat out at least once a week and, in 2018, this number was the highest it’s been for at least four years.
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Despite the number of restaurants not increasing for the first time in eight years due to the uncertainty of Brexit, there is plenty of innovation and excitement in the sector as restaurant businesses step up their game to stay ahead. Some of the main trends include the popularity of food halls, street vendors, eating where you shop, hidden vegetables in meals and eating meat-free foods.
Restaurant franchises under £100k
Subway
Subway is the largest franchise in the quick service restaurant (QSR) industry, with an incredible 44,500 units dotted across the globe. Its reputation as a leading global franchise is backed up by its international success and continued expansion. A consistent award winner, the Subway franchise benefits from a relatively low start-up cost and the potential to turn over large amounts in a relatively short period.
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Investors will require around £100,000 to get a unit up and running, and in return will be granted the rights to trade under the Subway franchise brand and utilise its trademarks. All franchisees are enrolled on a two-week training course, which is then topped up by online e-courses and constant industry updates via emailed newsletters. Support for finding a location and fitting out the store is readily available with ongoing guidance provided by the experienced Subway franchise team.
Papa John’s
Papa John’s is one of the world’s most famous restaurant franchises, with more than 5,000 franchise units in numerous different countries. Known for its friendly customer service, excellent pizzas and instantly recognisable branding, the franchise generates annual global sales in excess of $3 billion. Its excellent advertising and marketing campaigns have contributed enormously to franchisee success and increased profits in restaurants around the world.
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An initial investment of £100,000 is required to open your own unit of the fast food franchise. This buys the franchisee the right to trade under the Papa John’s name and utilise its trademarks, access to the Papa John’s franchise system for making, marketing and selling pizzas, and all of the confidential information and trade secrets required to operate as a Papa John’s restaurant.
The start-up investment also includes funds for shop fitting, marketing and project management. All franchisees will be enrolled on a six-week training course in Milton Keynes, after which they will receive ongoing training and support.
Wok&Go
Founded in 2008, Wok&Go is a relatively new food franchise that has experienced rapid growth in the past decade. With 26 units across the UK, the franchise has proven that its model is successful, but remains small enough that it’s an attractive investment opportunity for those that want to get in on the ground floor and grow with the franchise.
Focusing on food from east Asia – predominately Thai, Indonesian, Malay, Chinese and Japanese cuisine – the franchise has a reputation for crafting healthy, nutritious and incredibly tasty dishes.
To become a Wok&Go franchisee, it's necessary to raise an initial investment of £100,000. There are many financing options available to those that need to borrow to meet the required investment level. This investment entitles you to a turnkey store set-up – in which all of the shop fitting and project management is performed in-house by Wok&Go – assistance with training your staff and access to marketing materials, as well as a dedicated Wok&Go app.
Franchisees maintain close contact with the franchisor management team and will receive regular visits from a franchisor liaison agent.
Wok To Walk
This ambitious food franchise is set to take on global domination and become the number one wok kitchen worldwide. It’s loved by customers who want a quick, healthy snack at a place and a time most convenient to them.
It’s conquered even the most competitive markets, including Barcelona, New York and London. The franchise model is flexible and works well in different locations, including everything from hole-in-the-wall spots to big flagship stores.
Franchisees and employees will take part in an intense training programme that makes sure that they are capable of providing the exceptional customer service expected from the brand.
If you want to become the 96th location of this successful restaurant franchise, you’ll need to make a minimum investment of £100,000.
Wolf
Specialising in healthy, aesthetically pleasing and delicious Italian street food, Wolf is one to watch in the future. Though the franchise is still in its early stages, Wolf demonstrates all of the qualities required to make it in the cutthroat world of fast food franchising.
With three units already operational and another 10 in development, this is the perfect opportunity to get on board with a franchise that's stock is set to rise drastically over the next few years. With a strong and identifiable brand image, Wolf is streets ahead of much of the competition and should become a force on the fast food franchising scene within a very short period.
Investment in Wolf requires funding for the sum of £100,000. This buys you the right to trade as a Wolf franchisee, assistance with finding and fitting a store location, and a bespoke business launch plan. All franchisees will partake in a four-week intensive training course that provides you with all the knowledge and skills required to operate a Wolf franchise unit successfully. A franchisor liaison with over 25 years of experience in the industry will be on hand to guide you through the set-up process, and continued support is available as and when you need it.
Quick Crepes
This crepe franchise has developed a business model that can see its franchisees earn an average high gross profit margin that exceeds 70 percent. With its unique crepe mix, you don’t need highly trained staff, and with the quality products and equipment, you’ll be making professional crepes in under one hour.
You don’t need any previous experience in the industry to be accepted a franchisee, just enthusiasm, a passion for customer service and a minimum investment of £95,000.
Broccoli Pizza & Pasta
Broccoli Pizza & Pasta prides itself on serving fresh, customisable dishes that are healthy, hearty and nutritious. Cooked in front of the customer, the food revolves around pizza and pasta plates with several additional extras. With over 100 units already in existence, this is the perfect opportunity for an individual who is considering starting a franchise business in a profitable, rewarding and sociable industry.
Franchisees will require an initial investment of around £100,000. This is expected to cover six months of rent, two months of operating costs, additional working capital and the funds necessary to fit the store. In return, franchisees will receive 10-14 days of training, then a further seven days once the unit has been launched. Ongoing assistance with purchasing, day-to-day management and marketing is also available.
To find out more and express your interest in this food franchise opportunity, you should check out its website today.
Conclusion
All seven of our food franchises are endowed with a great deal of potential. Some, including Subway and Papa John’s, are established businesses that can count themselves amongst the biggest restaurant chains in the world.
Others, like Wolf and Wok&Go, are relatively recent arrivals in the franchising world. But whether you opt for an older or newer franchise, you need to think about your own reasons and motivations for running a franchise. Whatever your choice, all seven of our selections boast great chances of success. To find out more about how much it costs to start a restaurant, click here, and to browse a full list of our restaurant franchise opportunities, see here.
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Becky Martin, writer