Top 10–15 Restaurant Franchises in India: The Ultimate Investment Guide for 2026 – How to Choose the Right Franchise & Earn High ROI
Discover the top 10–15 restaurant franchise opportunities in India, investment cost, ROI, benefits and how to choose the right franchise.
The Indian restaurant industry is booming, driven by increasing disposable income, evolving lifestyles, a growing young population, and the ever-expanding food delivery economy.
Today, more than 40% of new entrepreneurs entering business prefer the franchise route, especially in F&B (Food & Beverages), as it offers brand recognition, operational support, proven business model, and better success rates compared to starting from scratch.
With quick-service restaurants (QSR), cloud kitchens, café chains, casual dining brands, and specialty food formats growing rapidly, restaurant franchises have become one of India’s most promising investment sectors for 2026 and beyond.
However, choosing the right franchise matters the most.
This detailed guide will help you explore Top 10–15 Best Restaurant Franchise Opportunities in India, along with investment range, business model insights, key benefits, and ROI potential. By the end of this article, you will also understand how to evaluate a franchise, risks to consider, and how Intellex Strategic Consulting can help you with Franchise Setup, Expansion, and Acquisition Advisory.
Also Read:
Why Restaurant Franchising is Popular in India?
Here are some reasons behind massive growth in food franchising:
✔ Ready Brand Presence & Customer Trust
A known brand reduces marketing effort and attracts customers from day one.
✔ Proven Business Model
The operating strategy is already tested, reducing the risk of failure.
✔ Training & Operational Support
Franchisors provide staff training, vendor tie-ups, raw material sourcing, store setup support, SOPs, technology, marketing and management guidance.
✔ Food Delivery Growth
Partnerships with Swiggy, Zomato bring additional sales with minimal capex.
✔ Scalable & Repeat Purchase Business
Food consumption is recurring — ensuring continuous revenue flow.
✔ High ROI Potential
Well-run restaurants recover investment within 18–36 months.
Top 10–15 Restaurant Franchise Opportunities in India (Updated 2026).
Below are India’s most successful and trending food franchise brands, suitable for small to large investors.
1. McDonald’s India
A global QSR giant known for burgers, fries and standardized systems. Elite but premium investment.
Investment Required: ₹6 Cr – ₹12 Cr+
Space Required: 1500–3000 sq. ft
ROI Timeline: 4–5 years
Best For: Serious investors, large business groups
2. Domino’s Pizza
One of the fastest-growing pizza chains with dominant delivery operations.
Investment: ₹1.5 Cr – ₹4 Cr
Space: 800–1500 sq. ft
ROI: 2–3 years
USP: Fast delivery model, strong brand recall
Also Read:
Family Office Investments in India: Fueling Startups, Scaleups & Growth-Stage Enterprises
3. KFC
A leading fried-chicken brand with global presence & robust franchise structure.
Investment: ₹4 Cr – ₹8 Cr
Space: 1200–2500 sq. ft
ROI: 3–4 years
Ideal For: High footfall malls & highways
4. Subway
Healthy fast-food concept serving sandwiches, salads & wraps.
Investment: ₹70 Lakh – ₹1.5 Cr
Space: 300–800 sq. ft
ROI: 18–30 months
USP: Low staff requirement, repeat customers
5. Barbeque Nation
India’s favourite casual dining buffet restaurant chain.
Investment: ₹4 Cr – ₹8 Cr
Space: 3500–5000 sq. ft
ROI: 3–4 years
Great For: Tier 1 & Tier 2 cities
6. Haldiram’s
Iconic Indian brand for sweets, snacks & family dining.
Investment: ₹1.5 Cr – ₹10 Cr (varies by format)
Format Options: Kiosk / Café / Restaurant
Strength: Massive brand recognition
7. Wow! Momo & Wow! China
A modern Indian fast-casual chain gaining rapid traction across cities.
Investment: ₹25 Lakh – ₹60 Lakh
Space: 150–400 sq. ft
ROI: 1.5–2.5 years
Perfect For: High-frequency mall & college zones
8. Biryani By Kilo
India’s premium biryani brand with high delivery sales.
Investment: ₹35 Lakh – ₹1 Cr
Space: 400–800 sq. ft
ROI: 2 years approx
USP: Delivery-first, high margin product
9. Burger Singh
India’s desi burger chain with fast expansion.
Investment: ₹30 Lakh – ₹80 Lakh
Space: 200–600 sq. ft
ROI: 18–24 months
Advantage: Lower entry investment vs global brands
10. Chai Sutta Bar
Fast-growing tea-café franchise with youth-oriented appeal.
Investment: ₹10 – 30 Lakh
Space: 200–500 sq. ft
ROI: 12–16 months
Why Choose: High volume, low cost business
11. Chaayos
Premium tea café chain offering modern ambience.
Investment: ₹35 Lakh – ₹80 Lakh
Space: 600–1200 sq. ft
ROI: 2–3 years
Target Audience: Working professionals, café lovers
12. Bikanervala
Traditional Indian restaurant & sweets franchise.
Investment: ₹1 Cr – ₹5 Cr
Space: 1500–3000 sq. ft
ROI: 3 years
USP: Vegetarian family dining appeal
13. The Belgian Waffle Co.
Popular dessert franchise with affordable setup.
Investment: ₹18 Lakh – ₹35 Lakh
Space: 120–250 sq. ft (kiosk format available)
ROI: 12–20 months
Best For: Malls, kiosks, food courts
14. Giani’s Ice Cream
Established ice-cream brand with strong distribution network.
Investment: ₹10 – 25 Lakh
Space: 150–300 sq. ft
ROI: 12–18 months
Great For: High-margin seasonal business
15. Local & Regional High-Growth Brands
For niche entrepreneurs, city-local franchises often deliver great returns:
Regional biryani brands
South Indian food joints
Cloud kitchen models
Rolls, momos, shakes, café chains
Investment starts from as low as ₹5–15 Lakhs.
Many of these deliver faster ROI due to lower operational cost & high delivery reliance.
Also Read:
The Chocolate Room – A Global Café Brand Expanding Fast in India”
Why Choose Professional Franchise Advisory Support?
Investing without evaluation can lead to:
❗ Wrong location selection
❗ Poor operational planning
❗ Misunderstanding agreement terms
❗ Inaccurate return expectations
A franchise consultant helps in:
💼 Brand selection & comparison
📍 Location analysis & profitability forecast
📝 Negotiating agreements & franchise terms
📊 Business plan creation & ROI mapping
📢 Marketing strategy & launch support
GrowMoreFranchisees.com, a division of Intellex Strategic Consulting Private Limited – Your Trusted Franchise Advisory Partner.
Whether you are a Franchisor looking to expand nationwide or a Franchisee planning to invest, Intellex Strategic Consulting Pvt. Ltd. brings deep experience in:
➡ Franchise Expansion & Channel Development
➡ Investor-Franchise Matchmaking
➡ Business Valuation & Financial Modeling
➡ Turnkey Setup Assistance
➡ Brand Growth & Equity Structuring
➡ Legal Documentation Support
We assist businesses across India from idea to execution.
📞 Contact for Franchise Advisory & Investment Support
Intellex Strategic Consulting Pvt. Ltd.
🌐 Website: IntellexCFO.com , GrowMoreFranchisees.com?, IntellexConsulting.com
WhatsApp: +91 98200 88394
Email: intellex@intellexconsulting.com
Conclusion:
The restaurant franchise sector in India offers tremendous business potential, provided the investor chooses the right brand and follows a well-researched strategy. From global QSR giants like McDonald’s & KFC to fast-growing homegrown brands like Wow! Momo, Chai Sutta Bar and The Belgian Waffle Co., the opportunities span across multiple budget ranges.
If you are planning to open a franchise or expand your brand across India, expert guidance can save time, cost, and prevent costly mistakes.
At Intellex Strategic Consulting, we help you evaluate options, secure franchise partnerships, negotiate terms, and build profitable food businesses.
Team: GrowMoreFranchisees.com
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