Biggest Franchises Worldwide: Initial Investment & Other Associated Costs

Franchising transcends mere retail outlets; it is a powerful, strategic business model with a proven track record of success. 

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Experts predict that the total franchise output will reach USD 936.4 billion in 2025. The biggest franchises in the world largely contribute to this output. 

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Let us explore the biggest franchises worldwide and learn more about their investment and profit. 

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What are the Top 10 Biggest Franchises Worldwide? 

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‍Looking for a lucrative investment opportunity? We have prepared a list of the top 10 biggest franchises with highest revenue in the world.

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1. McDonald’s

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What began as a humble food stand has now turned into a multi-billion-dollar corporation! 

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McDonald’s golden arches grace over 38,000 locations in more than 100 countries, making it one of the most universally recognised brands. 

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This extensive global footprint underscores its successful adaptation to diverse markets and consumer preferences.

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For the fiscal year 2024, McDonald’s reported worldwide sales figures exceeding $130 billion. 

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Its sheer size, revenue, and scale of operations make it one of the highest-investment franchises worldwide. A significant portion of the sales figure has been attributed to its franchises. 

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Here are the estimated franchise fees for McDonald’s:

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• Initial Investment: $464,500 to $2,306,500 (₹39,943,683 - ₹198,355,359)*
• Franchise Fee: Up to $45,000 (₹3,869,729)*
• Royalty Fee: 4%

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2. 7-Eleven

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Headquartered in Texas, 7-Eleven is one of the fastest-growing franchises globally. It operates over 85,000 stores across 19 countries, holding the distinction of having more retail locations than any other brand worldwide. 

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This expansive presence is a testament to its highly adaptable and "convenient" business model.

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Here are the investment details for investing in 7-Eleven:

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• Initial Investment: $142,150 to $1,627,710 (₹12,221,207 to ₹139,940,781)*
• Franchise Fee: $50,000 to $750,000 (₹4,298,828 to ₹64,482,423)*
• Royalty Fee: 50% gross profit

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3. Starbucks

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Premium coffee became even more premium when Starbucks entered the market. Currently, it has established itself as the premier roaster and retailer of speciality coffee globally, boasting more than 32,000 stores in 80 countries. 

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The brand’s commitment, control, and integrity have been a defining characteristic. This has attracted many budding entrepreneurs to open up more franchises.

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Here are the related costs associated with investing in a Starbucks franchise. 

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• Initial Investment: $228,620 to $2,888,700 (₹19,655,522 to ₹248,354,950)*
• Royalty Fee: 5-6% on average 
• Royalty Fee: 5%-6% in royalty fees

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Why just sip a latte when you can build your own business with Starbucks? If you are a budding entrepreneur, franchising with one of the world’s biggest franchises worldwide is the best option. 

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Check out the best franchise businesses in India.

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4. KFC

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Colonel Sanders, when he founded KFC in his 60s, proved to the world that entrepreneurship is not limited by age. 

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It has grown into one of the world’s largest fast-food chains, specialising in fried chicken. It has turned into one of the franchises with the highest revenue. 

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This finger-licking brand boasts an impressive network of over 24,000 outlets and spans almost 145 countries.

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Estimated costs for a KFC franchise include:

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• Initial Investment: $302,825-$3,771,550 (₹26,035,461-₹324,317,609)*
• Franchise Fee: $22,500 (₹1,935,061)*
• Royalty Fee: 4% to 5% of gross revenue or a minimum of $1,440, whichever is greater, per month

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5. Burger King

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As the ‘home of the Whopper,’ Burger King has become one of the world’s largest quick-service restaurant (QSR) companies. 

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Burger King, just like its name, has almost become a king in the fast food industry. Restaurant Brands International (RBI), Burger King’s parent company, reported nearly a 5.6% sales growth in FY 2024. 

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The franchising costs associated with Burger King are as follows:

• Initial Investment: $2,010,600-$4,670,900 (₹172,917,124-₹401,710,235)*
• Franchise Fee: $50,000 (₹4,299,956)*
• Royalty Fee: 4.5% of the restaurant’s monthly gross sales

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So, if you want a piece of those big Whopper-sized profits, you must consider franchising with Burger King.

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6. Domino’s

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Much like its promised 30-minute fast delivery, Domino’s growth has been astoundingly fast. It has swiftly solidified its position as the largest pizza company in the world by unit count. 

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As of 2025, Domino’s operates over 21,300 stores in more than 90 markets. Financially, Domino’s Pizza reported an annual revenue of $4.71 billion in the 2024 financial year.

The associated costs in opening up a Domino’s franchise are as follows:

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• Initial Investment: $119,700 - $461,450 (₹10,294,095-₹39,679,255)*
• Franchise Fee: $10,000 (₹859,882)*
• Royalty Fee: 5.5% of the store’s weekly royalty sales

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7. Subway

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Just like its sandwiches, the growth of this company has also been really healthy. It is recognised as one of the biggest franchises worldwide, and for all the right reasons! 

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It has nearly 37,000 restaurants worldwide, based in around 100 countries and territories. If we look at Subway’s financials, the brand reported a 6.4% increase in same-store sales worldwide. All these make franchising with Subway a worthwhile investment.

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The investment details for Subway are as follows:

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• Initial Investment: $199,135 - $536,745 (₹17,123,260-₹46,153,736)*
• Franchise Fee: $15,000 (₹1,290,041)*
• Royalty Fee: 8% of total gross sales

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If you are ready to hop into the QSR industry, you can give franchising with Subway a thought!

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Here’s your guide to starting an ice cream franchise in India.

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8. Pizza Hut

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Pizza Hut has established itself as one of the biggest franchises worldwide. It has a long and storied history and was founded in 1958. 

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Being a high-investment franchise, it operates approximately 19,000 restaurants in over 100 countries.

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If you want to franchise with Pizza Hut, you would have to pay the following fees out of your pocket:

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• Initial Investment: $302,000 - $2,185,500 (₹25,972,835-₹187,965,326)*
• Franchise Fee: $25,000 (₹2,150,141)*
• Royalty Fee: 6% of gross sales (6.5% under certain circumstances)

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With this, here is your chance to start selling world-class pizzas if you associate yourself with Pizza Hut.

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9. Taco Bell

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Specialising in Tex-Mex cuisine, Taco Bell has become one of the most renowned brands. Currently, Taco Bell has adopted an aggressive global expansion strategy. 

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With almost 8,500 stores, it is one of the biggest franchises worldwide. Taco Bell has demonstrated a strong performance in 2024, with total revenues reaching $7.55 billion. This was a 7% increase from 2023.

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Some investment-specific details on Taco Bell are as follows:

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• Initial Investment: $262,950 - $4,310,200 (₹22,615,183-₹370,701,509)*
• Franchise Fee:  $25,000 - $45,000 (₹2,150,125-₹3,870,225)*
• Royalty Fee: 5.5% royalty fee based on gross sales

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Now, these figures may change depending on traditional or express units. Always verify with the brand for an accurate estimate.

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10. Kumon

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As an after-school enrichment program, Kumon has garnered some fame for itself. It was founded in Japan in 1962 with a unique method rooted in a father’s love for his son. 

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This unique math learning centre has spread over various countries in Europe, Africa, and America.

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Some franchise-specific details of Kumon are as follows:

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• Initial Investment: $73,123-$165,360 (₹6,288,944-₹14,221,961)*
• Franchise Fee: $2,000 (₹172,012)*
• Royalty Fee: Starting from $30 times the number of newly enrolled students

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So if you want to invest in a low-cost and high-reward franchise, Kumon could be the right choice. 

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Ready to Play in the Big Leagues?

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If you have ever dreamt of growing your business into something massive, learning from the biggest franchises worldwide is your playbook. 

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These giants started small, just like you, but scaled with smart systems, solid branding, and relentless customer focus. 

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So, are you ready to take your next bold step? The world of franchising is waiting; you just have to step in.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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1. What is the top 1 franchise in the world?

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McDonald's is one of the largest franchises worldwide, with over 600 stores in India alone. 

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2. What is the initial investment for opening a franchise in India?

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Depending on the company, location, and franchise fee, the initial investment could differ greatly. 

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3. Do the biggest franchises in the world offer individual franchises? 

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The biggest franchises worldwide, including McDonald’s and 7-Eleven, offer individual franchise opportunities.