The United States has maintained its status as the leader in franchising since the 1930s, when restaurants and other establishments used franchising as a means of expansion during the Great Depression. In the years since, restaurant franchises and food franchises have consistently ranked amongst the top-performing franchises in the industry.

In the past five years, food and restaurant franchises have appeared consistently in Entrepreneur magazine’s list of top new franchises, especially the most recent list released.

In 2013, Entrepreneur listed four restaurant franchises in its top ten: Kona Ice, Menchie’s, Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt and Smashburger Franchising LLC.

Kona Ice

Kona Ice, a shaved ice truck franchise, serves up shaved ice anywhere customers require refreshment. Kona Ice partners with various community groups, like schools, teams, and youth groups for fundraising events. In addition to trucks, Kona Ice franchisees may operate ice carts, kiosks or trailers. There are currently 279 Kona Ice units in operation in the U.S.

Franchises similar to Kona Ice: Hokulia Shave Ice

Menchie’s

When it comes to restaurant franchises, the frozen yogurt craze has yet to cool down. Menchie’s, a self-serve frozen yogurt franchise, serves over 100 flavors, including low-carb, low-sugar, gluten-free, dairy-free and kosher options offered on a rotating basis. Franchising since 2009, Menchie’s has 220 units in operation in the U.S., 26 in Canada and 10 outside of the U.S. and Canada.

Franchises similar to Menchie’s:  Farr’s Fresh, 32 Degrees a Yogurt Bar, All American Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt , Fro.Zen.Yo, Fuzzy Peach, Marble Slab, TCBY, Sub Zero, Yogli Mogli, Yogen Fruz, Yogurtland, YoGo Factory, Yumz, You Say When, Zoyo Neighborhood Yogurt

Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt

The success of Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt has been undeniable since it began franchising in 2009. Just two years after its first store opened, the self-serve frozen yogurt franchise grew its number of units in operation from 1 to 116, a 99 percent increase. Today, the franchise operates 170 units in the U.S. and two outside of the U.S. and Canada.

Franchises similar to Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt: Menchie’s, Farr’s Fresh, 32 Degrees a Yogurt Bar, All American Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt , Fro.Zen.Yo, Fuzzy Peach, Marble Slab, TCBY, Sub Zero, Yogli Mogli, Yogen Fruz, Yogurtland, YoGo Factory, Yumz, You Say When, Zoyo Neighborhood Yogurt

Smashburger

After two decades in the restaurant industry working for big name franchises like Pizza Hut, Quiznos, Long John Silver’s and McDonalds, Smashburger creator Tom Ryan struck out on his own. Named for the way its burgers are prepared (by smashing the burger meat onto the grill), restaurant franchise Smashburger offers its customers a variety of bun and topping choices, allowing each individual the chance to customize his or her burger experience. Hot dogs, shakes, sides, chicken and veggie burgers are also available at Smashburger franchises. Today, the burger franchise operates 91 units within the U.S. and is seeking franchisees in the U.S., Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Central America, Europe, Middle East, Mexico and South America.

Franchises similar to Smashburger: Johnny Rockets, BGR The Burger Joint, Cheeseburger Bobby’s, Jake’s Wayback Burgers, Mooyah Burgers, Steak and Shake, Thumbs Up Diner