The

3

best

Retail Food

franchises of 2026

Complete ranking by Growth & Profitability

Retail food franchises operate storefront-based food retail concepts such as specialty foods, health products, and giftable consumables. These businesses tend to balance inventory management with brand-driven demand, making scale, payback efficiency, and capital intensity key factors in overall performance.

Below are the top 3 retail food franchises based on capital efficiency, system strength, and franchisee momentum.

Edible Arrangements

8.2
/
10

Edible Arrangements specializes in creating and delivering artistically crafted fresh fruit arrangements and gift baskets, providing a unique and healthy gift option for various occasions.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Franchisees

?

857
+
-7%
-7%
Franchise fee

?

$30,000
Investment

?

$184,000 - $410,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed

$541,000

+
n.a.
n.a.
Operating Profit

?

n.a.

Our score
8.2
/
10

What WE LIKE

Here's the rationale for our score

Edible Arrangements specializes in fresh fruit arrangements and giftable food products sold through retail storefronts.
Its ranking is driven by massive system scale paired with relatively modest capital requirements.

  • Large system with 857 franchisees
  • Moderate average investment of ~$297K
  • Solid 0.55x payback
  • Slight -7% franchisee contraction tempers the score

GNC

8.0
/
10

GNC is a health and wellness franchise that offers nutritional supplements, vitamins, and health products for individuals seeking wellness solutions.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Franchisees

?

774
+
-2%
-2%
Franchise fee

?

$20,000
Investment

?

$189,000 - $504,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed

$540,000

+
n.a.
n.a.
Operating Profit

?

n.a.

Our score
8.0
/
10

What WE LIKE

Here's the rationale for our score

GNC retails vitamins, supplements, and health products through mall and street-front locations.
Its ranking benefits from national scale and strong brand recognition.

  • Very large system with 774 franchisees
  • Relatively low average investment of ~$347K
  • Respectable 0.64x payback
  • Mild -2% franchisee contraction impacts momentum

HoneyBaked Ham

7.7
/
10

HoneyBaked Ham is a specialty food franchise that offers premium hams, turkey breasts, and other holiday dishes, providing delicious and ready-to-serve meals for special occasions and gatherings.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Franchisees

?

208
+
-3%
-3%
Franchise fee

?

$15,000
Investment

?

$581,000 - $877,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed

$924,000

+
7.5%
7.5%
Operating Profit

?

12.0%

Our score
7.7
/
10

What WE LIKE

Here's the rationale for our score

HoneyBaked Ham operates specialty food retail stores focused on premium meats and holiday-driven sales.
Its ranking reflects balanced economics supported by a long-established system.

  • Established system with 208 franchisees
  • Higher average investment of ~$729K
  • Solid 0.79x payback
  • Slight -3% franchisee decline weighs modestly

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