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Nathan's Famous, known for its premium all-beef hot dogs and diverse quick-service menu, embarked on its culinary journey in 1916. The brand was established by Nathan Handwerker, a Polish immigrant, who started with a small hot dog stand in Coney Island, New York.
Over the years, it has grown into a prominent player in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry. Nathan's began franchising in 1975 and is currently based in Jericho, New York.
What sets Nathan's Famous apart is its extensive menu, featuring not only its iconic hot dogs but also Fresh Angus Burgers, Black Angus Ribeye New York Cheesesteaks by Pat LaFrieda, Hand-Breaded Chicken, Onion Rings, and Fresh Crinkle Cut French Fries. The brand is well-regarded for its lively and inviting restaurant ambiance, which has bolstered its reputation for over a century.
Nathan's Famous provides various franchise models to accommodate different investment levels and space requirements, ranging from custom-built standalone stores to mobile carts, all serving the brand’s popular menu items.
Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
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Nathan’s Famous offers 4 types of franchises:
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Nathan's Famous traditional free-standing restaurant franchise.
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
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Nathan's Famous provides an extensive training program for its franchisees, blending classroom and practical on-the-job training sessions. The program covers a range of critical topics, including:
Food Preparation: Franchisees learn the intricacies of preparing dishes to meet Nathan's Famous quality standards.
Equipment Operation: This segment teaches proper equipment operation to ensure consistent and high-quality food.
Sanitation: Franchisees are trained in adhering to strict sanitation standards.
Food Cost Management: Understanding and managing food costs is essential for profitability, and this segment addresses these skills.
Labor Scheduling: Franchisees learn to effectively manage staff schedules to optimize operations.
Train the Trainer: This unique segment empowers franchisees to train their staff, maintaining the brand’s standards across all locations.
Customer Service: Emphasizing the importance of customer satisfaction, this segment focuses on delivering exceptional service.
Nathan's Famous does not grant franchisees an exclusive territory, which means franchisees may encounter competition from other franchisees, company-owned outlets, or other distribution channels and competitive brands controlled by the company.
Franchisees are authorized to operate a "Nathan's Famous" restaurant only at the specific location designated in their Franchise Agreement. Any relocation of the restaurant requires prior approval from the company. For franchisees operating a Mobile Unit, there are additional territorial restrictions.
The Mobile Unit Territory excludes any area within a two-mile radius of any existing or newly-established permanent "Nathan's Famous" restaurants within the Mobile Unit Territory.
Below are some of
Nathan’s Famous
key competitors in the
Sandwich
sector.

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Earl of Sandwich
$200K - $500K
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$25,000
$315,000
$664,000
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Jason’s Deli
Over $500K
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$35,000
$1,720,000
$2,529,000
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Frank & Furter's is a quick-service hot dog franchise offering loaded gourmet dogs, burgers, and bar snacks, serving casual diners and late-night guests, and known for playful toppings, relaxed bar settings, and a fun, family-friendly vibe.
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Abu Omar Halal is a Mediterranean street-food franchise offering shawarma, falafel, and grilled halal dishes, serving quick-service guests across food trucks and restaurants, and known for generous portions, bold Middle Eastern flavors, and late-night service in busy urban markets.
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Extreme Pita is a fast-casual restaurant franchise offering pita wraps, salads, and Mediterranean-inspired meals, serving health-conscious guests and busy families, and known for customizable pitas, fresh ingredients, and lighter alternatives to traditional fast food, including catering.
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Sub-Ology is a sandwich-and-fast-casual franchise offering premium subs, wraps, salads and soups made with Boar’s Head meats and locally baked bread, serving lunch and dinner diners, and known for gourmet ingredients and community-oriented atmosphere.
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Miller’s Famous Sandwiches is a fast-casual franchise offering toasted sandwiches, soups, salads and coffee, serving lunch crowds and grab-and-go customers, and known for iconic brand history, streamlined operations and community-friendly service.
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D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches is a fast-casual sandwich franchise offering grilled subs, soups, salads and coffee, serving lunch and dinner crowds, and known for flame-roasted flavour, fresh ingredients and community-based franchise experience.
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