The Top 10 Burger Franchises in 2024

In the sizzling world of fast food, burger franchises reign supreme. From classical cheeseburgers to gourmet creations piled precocious pinch crave-worthy toppings, these franchises person mastered the creation of leaving customers craving more.

In this article, descend your teeth into the apical burger franchises according to the 2024 Franchise 500 Ranking, each flipping their measurement to fame pinch mouthwatering menus and a broadside of entrepreneurial flair. From nostalgic diners serving up comfortableness connected a bun to trendy joints pushing the boundaries of burger innovation, these franchises cater to each palate and preference. With a winning operation of savory flavors, efficient service and wide popularity, they've earned their spot astatine the apical of the fast-food hierarchy.

So drawback a napkin and get fresh to indulge successful the champion burger experiences the franchising world has to offer.

Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now to find your personalized database of franchises that lucifer your lifestyle, interests and budget.

1. Culver's

• Founded: 1984
• Franchising since: 1988
• Overall rank: 7
• Number of units: 978
• Change successful units: +21.0% complete 3 years
• Initial investment: $2,800,000-$6,900,000
• Leadership: Rick Silva, CEO
• Parent company: Culver Franchising System LLC

Starting a Culver's franchise tin beryllium a lucrative opportunity owed to its wide fame and loyal customer guidelines crossed 26 states. Culver's offers value accelerated nutrient items for illustration ButterBurgers, stiff custard desserts and food curds. Founded successful 1984 successful Wisconsin, Culver's has grown to complete 900 restaurants nether the activity of Craig Culver, making it an charismatic action for ambitious franchisees. With a straightforward franchising system and a request for owner-operators, Culver's offers hands-on business guidance opportunities for individuals pinch acquisition successful the accelerated nutrient industry.

Related: Culver's Is Punching Way Above Its Weight In the Fast Food World, Thanks to This Unique Growth Strategy

2. Wendy's

• Founded: 1969
• Franchising since: 1971
• Overall rank: 17
• Number of units: 7,282
• Change successful units: +5.8% complete 3 years
• Initial investment: $310,000-$2,800,000
• Leadership: Kirk Tanner, President & CEO
• Parent company: Wendy's Int'l. Inc.

Starting a Wendy's franchise offers galore advantages, fixed its longstanding occurrence and beardown marque nickname since its founding by Dave Thomas successful 1969. With astir 94% of its locations franchised, Wendy's presents ample opportunities for entrepreneurs successful the fast-food industry. Known for its value nutrient and businesslike service, Wendy's paper includes hamburgers, fries and celebrated Frosty desserts, appealing to customers globally. Franchisees bask autonomy successful pricing, operations and guidance decisions, on pinch extended training and support from the franchisor. Although the first finance tin beryllium significant, Wendy's offers a pre-established customer base and a comparatively affordable introduction constituent compared to different franchises.

3. McDonald's

• Founded: 1955
• Franchising since: 1955
• Overall rank: 18
• Number of units: 42, 406
• Change successful units: +7.6% complete 3 years
• Initial investment: $1,500,000-$2,600,000
• Leadership: Chris Kempczinski, CEO
• Parent company: N/A

McDonald's, a world fast-food giant, traces its roots backmost to the 1940s erstwhile Dick and Mac McDonald opened a drive-in burger associated successful San Bernardino, California. Streamlining operations and offering a simple menu of burgers, fries and shakes, the McDonald brothers expanded their business and introduced iconic elements for illustration the aureate arches and unique colors. In the 1950s, Ray Kroc joined arsenic their franchise agent, starring the description eastward and internationally. McDonald's maturation was propelled by innovations for illustration Hamburger University, Play Places and memorable slogans. Today, pinch complete 40,000 locations successful much than 100 countries, McDonald's remains a dominant force successful the fast-food industry.

Related: McDonald's Made a Simple Change to a Cult-Favorite Menu Item. Now, the Sandwich Is a $1 Billion Brand

4. Burger King

• Founded: 1954
• Franchising since: 1961
• Overall rank: 38
• Number of units: 19,739
• Change successful units: +4.1% complete 3 years
• Initial investment: $2,000,000-$4,700,000
• Leadership: Chris Elias, Sr. Director, Business Development & Franchising
• Parent company: Restaurant Brands Int'l.

Burger King, a renowned fast-food chain, began arsenic Insta-Burger King successful 1953 earlier rebranding successful 1967 and expanding globally. With a paper featuring iconic items for illustration the Whopper, Burger King boasts wide nickname and a beardown customer base. Starting a Burger King franchise offers galore benefits, including entree to financial assistance done programs for illustration DiversityFran, extended franchise opportunities and broad support from Burger King's franchise team. Leveraging the brand's world nickname and customer base, Burger King franchises tin quickly found themselves successful their communities and make revenue. For aspiring fast-food entrepreneurs, starting a Burger King franchise presents a lucrative opportunity for success.

5. Sonic Drive-In

• Founded: 1953
• Franchising since: 1959
• Overall rank: 50
• Number of units: 3,521
• Change successful units: +0.6% complete 3 years
• Initial investment: $1,700,000-$3,400,000
• Leadership: Jim Taylor, President
• Parent company: Inspire Brands

Sonic Drive-In stands retired arsenic a successful franchise opportunity successful the dwindling drive-in edifice industry, maintaining its fame and serving millions of customers annually. With its enduring drive-thru business exemplary and a paper featuring hamburgers, basking dogs and bulb rings, Sonic has thrived for much than 60 years. As 1 of the largest drive-in chains headquartered successful Atlanta, Georgia, Sonic offers franchisees the chance to capitalize connected its established marque and grow into each 50 states. For aspiring entrepreneurs seeking a resilient and profitable fast-food franchise, Sonic presents a compelling opportunity to win successful a competitory market.

6. Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

• Founded: 2002
• Franchising since: 2004
• Overall rank: 67
• Number of units: 531
• Change successful units: +26.9% complete 3 years
• Initial investment: $898,000-$2,800,000
• Leadership: Chris Dull, President & CEO
• Parent company: N/A

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, established successful 2002, offers a unsocial blend of freshly churned stiff custards and crushed beef steakburgers. With astir 500 locations crossed the United States and immoderate internationally, the franchise's entreaty lies successful its easiness of operations, well-priced menu and attraction connected value complete quantity. By joining Freddy's franchise, entrepreneurs tin pat into its established marque and committedness to hospitality, making it an enticing opportunity successful the competitory edifice industry.

Related: See Where These Franchises Ranked successful Our 2024 Franchise 500

7. The Habit Burger Grill

• Founded: 1969
• Franchising since: 2013
• Overall rank: 117
• Number of units: 382
• Change successful units: +28.2% complete 3 years
• Initial investment: $1,500,000-$1,800,000
• Leadership: Shannon Hennessy, CEO
• Parent company: Yum! Brands

The Habit Burger Grill, known for its delectable burgers, chickenhearted and tuna sandwiches, offers a tempting paper for imaginable franchisees. Originating successful 1969 successful Goleta, California, it expanded to go a fast-casual eating experience, reaching its 300th location by 2021, including international branches successful Cambodia and China.

8. Carl's Jr.

• Founded: 1945
• Franchising since: 1984
• Overall rank: 123
• Number of units: 1,709
• Change successful units: +3.0% complete 3 years
• Initial investment: $1,500,000-$3,200,000
• Leadership: Max Wetzel, CEO
• Parent company: CKE Restaurant Holdings Inc.

Since 1941, Carl's Jr. has grown from a azygous drive-in to a world franchise concatenation offering a divers paper of American and Mexican cuisine. Through difficult activity and exceptional customer service, Carl's Jr. expanded to complete 1,600 franchises successful the U.S. and internationally. Known for its signature charbroiled Black Angus beef burgers, Carl's Jr. attracts a wide customer base pinch its breakfast, luncheon and meal offerings. Franchise owners use from ongoing merchandise improvement efforts and a integer customer loyalty program, ensuring continued occurrence and customer satisfaction.

9. A&W Restaurants

• Founded: 1919
• Franchising since: 1925
• Overall rank: 170
• Number of units: 865
• Change successful units: -6.0% complete 3 years
• Initial investment: $287,000-$1,600,000
• Leadership: Kevin Bazner, CEO
• Parent company: A&W Restaurants

A&W Restaurants offers franchise opportunities for those seeking to bring the sensation of classical Americana to their community. Founded successful 1919 and franchising since 1925, A&W is known for its root beer and a paper featuring burgers, basking dogs, chicken, sides and crystal cream. The franchise prioritizes organization connection, pinch decisions made by a franchise relation committee and firm agency unit required to activity successful a edifice quarterly. Financial readiness for first and ongoing fees, including advertising and royalty fees, is basal for prospective franchisees.

10. Jack successful the Box

• Founded: 1951
• Franchising since: 1982
• Overall rank: 193
• Number of units: 2,191
• Change successful units: -1.0% complete 3 years
• Initial investment: $1,800,000-$4,200,000
• Leadership: Tim Linderman, CDO
• Parent company: Jack successful the Box Inc.

Jack successful the Box was founded successful 1951 by Robert O. Peterson successful San Diego arsenic a drive-thru burger restaurant. It expanded extracurricular California successful 1960 and began franchising successful 1982. Today, it offers a divers menu including hamburgers, chickenhearted sandwiches, meal items, tacos, salads, shakes and sides.

Related: See Who Made This Year's Franchise 500 Hall of Fam