Top 5 Fast Food Franchise Business Opportunities

Fast food franchises are the icons of franchises around the country, not only has the fast food industry seen growth since the beginning, it has also seen prosperity in recessions too.  Fast food franchise businesses have actually been one of the very few industries that have actually see growth during our recent recession. Don't make the mistake and believe that a fast food business today is the end all be all of franchise businesses, they are not invincible and do have their own level of success.  If you compare all industries and start up business failures and business growth, the fast food industry is probably one of the safer bets.  The fast food business that are successful during a recession have built up a brand and customer loyalty over the years, which is the back bone of their continues success.  The success during a recession has to do with people spending less money on higher priced restaurants and opting for a more economical meal.  There are many choices when it comes to buying a fast food franchise, from the long established cornerstones of the fast food industry, to the new up-and-comers.  With the right choice, investment and dedication any one of the fast food business opportunities available to you today, you can be very successful as a business owner and entrepreneur.  Without going into detail on every fast food restaurant chain available, lets look at the top 5 fast food franchises for sale today... or at least for 2009.  This list changes yearly, but you tend to see familiar faces and names in the list each and every year.  There are the 2009 top 5 fast food chains.

1. Subway

Subway restaurant franchises and subway express franchises have been one of the top franchise opportunities to buy for the last 10 years or more.  Subway has again reached top status in many franchise and business categories for businesses to get into.  Subway promotes both a healthy alternative to the hamburger, yet also offering the speed of a traditional fast food restaurant.  Many of the subway submarines have less then 6 grams of fat in them, making them one of the lowest fat content fast food choices around.  Subway restaurants are the undisputed leader in serving fast, great tasting, fresh subs , sandwiches, salads and wraps.  This franchise will continue to dominate the industry because it not only caters to the fast food consumer, it also focuses on the health conscious crowd.

2. McDonald's

McDonald's is probably considered one of the first and older franchises around.  Although they are not the first, they have probably done it the best so far.  A&W restaurants were actually the first and older franchise business in North America.  McDonald's did not start franchising until 1955.  A&W started in 1925, that is a significant time difference.  McDonald's is an international franchise and has locations is over 110 countries.   With more then 50,000 restaurants and kiosks world wide, this company is a sure winner.  McDonald's has one of the most recognized symbols in the world and continues to change the fast food industry with new ideas and unique marketing and advertising campaigns.

3. Sonic Drive In Restaurant

A true American company, all of the 3000 plus franchises are within the United States and continue to grow each year.  Sonic markets itself as being the American drive-in.  Sonic's menu inline burgers, chicken, coneys, wraps, sandwiches, breakfast burritos, french fries, onion rings and over 150,000 drink combination's.  Sonic has been franchising since 1955 and has been growing since, not with the same speed and international flare that McDonald's does, but a more American style, local franchise business.

4. KFC Corp

KFC is a chicken place, if you don't already know that.  They are actually the world's most popular chicken restaurant chain.  There are over 15,000 KFC locations around the world and have a long standing reputation and brand recognition that is hard to beat.  You can't go wrong with a big bucket of original recipe or extra crispy chicken.  KFC has been around a long time too, they began franchising in 1952 and have a long standing claim in the fast food franchising business tree.

5. Carl's Jr.

Carl's Jr. has re-invented the burger many times over, producing some of the best fast food burgers today. Their "six-dollar burger" combines premium beef with bacon, guacamole, Swiss cheese, and just about any other great burger topping you can think of. With over 600 locations already all over the country, they're ready to take on more franchisees and spread further throughout the country, bringing burger bliss that's a cut above the competition to their customers.

If you are like any other person, you've probably heard of and at least eaten at a couple franchises on this list, these are the top 5 for a reason, they are the most popular.  Do not discount the lesser known fast food businesses available for sale either, there are many more to pick from, all with a great potential for success. Normally the big brand names list here are nearly guaranteed to find quick success, they can come with a higher price tag. Then again, a newer fast food chain might be the next subway, but you take a higher risk because you don't really know. It should not matter Whether you choose the long-standing names or one of the new franchises, you are sure to find success if you follow the franchisors guidelines and rules. Running a franchise is like running any other business, and sound business knowledge and management will bring results you are looking for.