FBR Franchise Buyers Guide 2023 Q3

FBR INSIDER INSIGHTS
FEATURED FRANCHISEE
FBR asked 10,502 food franchise owners
33 benchmark questions about their franchisor.
91% said they enjoy being part of
their franchise organization.
challenging economic times. By providing
reasonably priced meals and quick-service
options, food franchises can weather economic
storms better than other industries, making
them an attractive investment opportunity.
Additionally, many franchises have adapted to
changing consumer habits, offering innovative
drive-through solutions, curbside takeout,
delivery, online ordering services, and more.
4. CONSUMER DEMAND
The demand for convenient and quality food
options is a constant in today’s fast-paced
society. Whether it’s a mobile food truck, fastcasual
dining, healthier options, or specialized
cuisines, franchises have become adept at
catering to various consumer preferences.
Franchises often conduct extensive market
research, identifying target demographics
and consumer preferences. This knowledge
allows franchisees to tap into existing demand
and serve their customers with products and
services that have already been proven to
appeal to the market.
5. EMERGING TRENDS
Food franchises are well-positioned to capitalize
on emerging trends. Franchisors invest
in research and development to identify
and capitalize on market opportunities. As
consumer preferences evolve, franchises can
adapt their menus, introduce new ingredients,
or experiment with innovative concepts such
as plant-based options, sustainability, and
technology-driven ordering systems. This
enables franchisees to adopt changing preferences
and appeal to a broader customer base
in the ever-changing food landscape.
OUR 2023 TOP FOOD FRANCHISES LIST
Eric Stites, founder and CEO of Franchise Business
Review, said, “Franchise owners are often
better positioned to weather a setback—even
during a recession—over small, independent,
mom-and-pop businesses because owners can
draw on the support, leadership, and brand
recognition of a large franchise organization
and a network of fellow franchisees.”
“The award-winning food brands that made
our 2023 Top Food Franchises List outrank
their competitors in owner satisfaction and
provide their franchise owners a higher return
on investment. These brands stand stronger
today because of their devotion to franchisee
satisfaction. That’s really the big advantage of
being part of a strong franchise—having that
reliable support system behind you through
challenges and triumphs.”
For this year’s research, Franchise Business
Review asked 10,502 food franchise owners 33
benchmark questions about their franchisor.
The survey questions focused on leadership,
training, support, financial opportunity, core
values, lifestyle, and overall enjoyment of running
their franchise. 91% of the food franchise
owners we surveyed say they enjoy being part
of their franchise organization. And four out
of five owners would recommend their franchise
to others. Half of the franchise owners
surveyed are multi-unit owners, and 60% plan
to purchase and open additional locations.
Of the award-winning food franchises on
our list, the average investment levels range
from $170K to $4.7M, with a median total
investment of $550K and a startup capital
requirement of $200K.
Purchasing a food franchise requires an
investment in time and money, but it can
deliver a wide range of delicious, long-term
rewards. If you want to pursue franchise ownership,
this year’s Top Food Franchises List is
a great place to start.
For more information on specific food
and beverage franchises, be sure to visit our
website at FranchiseBusinessReview.com. ■
BEN IDHE
Wild Birds Unlimited
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Franchise owner since 2021
5 Employees
Long before he became a Wild Birds Unlimited
franchisee, Ben Idhe was a regular customer of
the retail franchise. As a successful businessman
who loved communing with nature and birding—
making the leap into franchise ownership proved
to be a natural fit.
“I thought I could stay in the corporate
world until I realized I really needed flexibility
and to be my own boss. I didn’t want to start
from the ground up, and that’s why franchising
was attractive. Wild Birds Unlimited had the
territories, infrastructure, proven business model,
training, and support I needed. I felt I could really
hit the ground running even though I was not
completely familiar with the industry.”
“Wild Birds Unlimited has a great training
program for new owners around product and
their general way to go to market. They also have
dedicated marketing staff and technical staff.
We also really leaned on our business coach the
franchise provided as well as technical folks to
get the POS infrastructure up to date.”
Ben takes pride in the way he and his wife
transitioned from their previous careers to follow
their passion. “It is very challenging and honestly,
terrifying to walk away from something you did
for 25 years and just start fresh. We saw a link
that said, ‘Learn more about owning a Wild Birds
Unlimited franchise’ and we thought, ‘Let’s check
it out!’ Now we’re already looking to grow past
our current location. With goals, dedication, and
hard work, I really do believe you can accomplish
almost anything!”
For more information on the Wild Birds Unlimited
franchise opportunity:
• Call: 888-730-7108
• Email: franchisedevelopment@wbu.com
• Visit: WBUfranchise.com
https://franchisebusinessreview.com/post/five-key-benefits-of-owning-a-food-franchise-2023-top-food-franchises/
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 7