The

10

best

Burger

franchises of 2026

Complete ranking by Growth & Profitability

Home
Best Franchises

Burger

Burger franchises operate within one of the most established and competitive segments of the restaurant industry, spanning quick-service, fast-casual, and dine-in formats.

These brands focus on high-volume food service, standardized menus, and repeat customer traffic, but differ widely in investment requirements, unit economics, and growth profiles.

Below are the top 10 burger franchises in the market today, highlighting the brands that best combine scale, expansion trends, and investment efficiency.

Our methodology
Franchise
Franchisees

?

Investment

?

Revenue (AUV)

?

Score

12887

+
1%
1%

$525,000 - $2,728,000

$3,838,000

7.8
/
10

5552

+
-1%
-1%

$393,000 - $2,992,000

$1,984,000

6.5
/
10

990

+
12%
12%

$2,643,000 - $8,573,000

$3,694,000

6.5
/
10

213

+
1%
1%

$299,000 - $1,640,000

$1,037,000

6.0
/
10

193

+
8%
8%

$509,000 - $1,695,000

$1,080,000

6.0
/
10

71

+
-8%
-8%

$373,000 - $1,186,000

$1,009,000

5.8
/
10

89

+
3%
3%

$1,865,000 - $3,635,000

$3,182,000

5.5
/
10

362

+
-12%
-12%

$124,000 - $2,132,000

$1,061,000

5.3
/
10

3144

+
-2%
-2%

$669,000 - $3,141,000

$1,501,000

5.3
/
10

5524

+
-21%
-21%

$363,000 - $4,731,000

$1,507,000

5.0
/
10

McDonald's

7.8
/
10

Global fast-food chain known for its iconic burgers, fries, and other classic menu items, offering quick and affordable meals with convenient locations worldwide.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Franchisees

?

12887
+
1%
1%
Franchise fee

?

$45,000
Investment

?

$525,000 - $2,728,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed

$3,838,000

+
8.3%
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Operating Profit

?

n.a.

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Our score
7.8
/
10

What WE LIKE

Here's the rationale for our score

McDonald’s is a global quick-service burger franchise offering burgers, fries, and a broad fast-food menu across high-volume locations worldwide.

  • Massive system with ~12,800 franchise units, providing unmatched scale
  • Moderate average investment (~$1.63M) relative to system maturity
  • Excellent 0.42x payback ranks among the best in the category
  • Positive franchisee growth (~15%) supports long-term stability

Wendy’s

6.5
/
10

Fast-food restaurant franchise known for its hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and salads, offering a menu of classic and innovative fast-food options.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Franchisees

?

5552
+
-1%
-1%
Franchise fee

?

$55,000
Investment

?

$393,000 - $2,992,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed

$1,984,000

+
6.8%
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Operating Profit

?

12.2%

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Our score
6.5
/
10

What WE LIKE

Here's the rationale for our score

Wendy’s is a national quick-service burger franchise known for made-to-order burgers and drive-thru convenience.

  • Large system with ~5,552 franchise units supports strong brand presence
  • High average investment (~$1.69M) impacts accessibility
  • Solid 0.85x payback supports reliable unit economics
  • Slight franchisee contraction (~-1%) weighs modestly on ranking

Culver’s

6.5
/
10

Culver's is a fast-food franchise known for its butterburgers and frozen custard, offering a menu of flavorful sandwiches, sides, and desserts.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Franchisees

?

990
+
12%
12%
Franchise fee

?

$55,000
Investment

?

$2,643,000 - $8,573,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed

$3,694,000

+
14.8%
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Operating Profit

?

12.3%

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Our score
6.5
/
10

What WE LIKE

Here's the rationale for our score

Culver’s is a burger franchise offering fresh burgers and frozen custard in a fast-casual dining format.

  • Established system with ~900 franchise units provides meaningful scale
  • High average investment (~$5.61M) reflects larger footprints
  • Respectable 1.52x payback for a capital-intensive concept
  • Positive franchisee growth (~12%) supports continued expansion

A&W Restaurants

6.0
/
10

A&W Restaurants is a beloved fast-food chain known for its classic burgers, handcrafted root beer, and all-American dining experience.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Franchisees

?

213
+
1%
1%
Franchise fee

?

$30,000
Investment

?

$299,000 - $1,640,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed

$1,037,000

+
11.9%
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Operating Profit

?

13.6%

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Our score
6.0
/
10

What WE LIKE

Here's the rationale for our score

A&W Restaurants is a burger franchise offering classic burgers and root beer through quick-service locations.

  • Mid-to-large system with ~213 franchise units
  • Moderate average investment (~$989K) relative to peers
  • Solid 0.93x payback supports consistent returns
  • Modest franchisee growth (~1%) reflects a stable, mature system

Fatburger

6.0
/
10

Fatburger serves juicy and flavorful burgers made with fresh ingredients, providing customers with a satisfying and delicious dining experience.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Franchisees

?

193
+
8%
8%
Franchise fee

?

$50,000
Investment

?

$509,000 - $1,695,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed

$1,080,000

+
n.a.
Sign up to unlock
Operating Profit

?

n.a.

Sign up to unlock
Our score
6.0
/
10

What WE LIKE

Here's the rationale for our score

Fatburger is a burger franchise known for cooked-to-order burgers and customizable menu options.

  • Mid-sized system with ~193 franchise units
  • Accessible average investment (~$1.10M) compared to full-service brands
  • Moderate 1.02x payback limits upside
  • Positive franchisee growth (~8%) supports gradual expansion

MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes

5.8
/
10

Fast-casual burger franchise offering made-to-order burgers, hand-cut fries, and milkshakes, emphasizing quality ingredients and customizable options.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Franchisees

?

71
+
-8%
-8%
Franchise fee

?

$40,000
Investment

?

$373,000 - $1,186,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed

$1,009,000

+
4.9%
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Operating Profit

?

9.8%

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Our score
5.8
/
10

What WE LIKE

Here's the rationale for our score

MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes is a fast-casual burger franchise offering customizable burgers and shakes.

  • Smaller but established system with ~71 franchise units
  • Accessible average investment (~$779K)
  • Solid 0.77x payback supports attractive unit economics
  • Negative franchisee growth (~-8%) limits near-term expansion

Red Robin

5.5
/
10

Casual dining restaurant franchise specializing in gourmet burgers and other American comfort foods, offering a variety of burger options and bottomless fries.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Franchisees

?

89
+
3%
3%
Franchise fee

?

$35,000
Investment

?

$1,865,000 - $3,635,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed

$3,182,000

+
n.a.
Sign up to unlock
Operating Profit

?

n.a.

Sign up to unlock
Our score
5.5
/
10

What WE LIKE

Here's the rationale for our score

Red Robin is a casual-dining burger franchise focused on gourmet burgers and sit-down service.

  • Regional system with ~90 franchise units
  • High average investment (~$2.75M) reflects full-service model
  • Attractive 0.86x payback offsets capital intensity
  • Healthy franchisee growth (~3%) supports stability

Checkers & Rally's

5.3
/
10

Checkers & Rally's is a double drive-thru fast-food franchise serving burgers, hot dogs, seasoned fries, and milkshakes.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Franchisees

?

362
+
-12%
-12%
Franchise fee

?

$30,000
Investment

?

$124,000 - $2,132,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed

$1,061,000

+
-1.7%
Sign up to unlock
Operating Profit

?

12.0%

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Our score
5.3
/
10

What WE LIKE

Here's the rationale for our score

Checkers & Rally’s is a drive-thru-focused burger franchise emphasizing speed and value pricing.

  • Mid-sized system with ~362 franchise units
  • Moderate average investment (~$1.13M)
  • 1.06x payback weighs on unit economics
  • Declining franchisee count (~-12%) reduces growth score

Sonic Drive-In

5.3
/
10

Drive-in fast-food restaurant franchise known for its burgers, hot dogs, and iconic carhop service, offering a wide range of menu options.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Franchisees

?

3144
+
-2%
-2%
Franchise fee

?

$15,000
Investment

?

$669,000 - $3,141,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed

$1,501,000

+
-1.4%
Sign up to unlock
Operating Profit

?

n.a.

Sign up to unlock
Our score
5.3
/
10

What WE LIKE

Here's the rationale for our score

Sonic Drive-In is a drive-in burger franchise featuring carhop service and a broad fast-food menu.

  • Large system with ~3,144 franchise units provides national reach
  • High average investment (~$1.91M)
  • 1.27x payback limits returns relative to peers
  • Negative franchisee growth (~-2%) weighs on ranking

Burger King

5.0
/
10

Burger King is a fast-food franchise famous for its flame-grilled burgers, crispy fries, and signature Whopper sandwich.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Franchisees

?

5524
+
-21%
-21%
Franchise fee

?

$50,000
Investment

?

$363,000 - $4,731,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed

$1,507,000

+
n.a.
Sign up to unlock
Operating Profit

?

n.a.

Sign up to unlock
Our score
5.0
/
10

What WE LIKE

Here's the rationale for our score

Burger King is a global quick-service burger franchise built around flame-grilled burgers and value-driven menus.

  • Massive system with ~5,524 franchise units supports global scale
  • High average investment (~$2.55M)
  • Weak 1.69x payback drags unit economics
  • Declining franchisee growth (~-21%) significantly impacts ranking

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