Top 10 Gourmet Food Franchises

Start your own business selling these tasty treats

When you think of food franchises, your first thoughts might be of fast food restaurants designed more to fill orders as quickly as possible than with concern to taste. While there may be some truth to that, there are plenty of franchise opportunities that allow franchisees to make and sell gourmet products that they are proud of and will gladly eat. This month BOSS looks at some of the top gourmet food franchises for entrepreneurs wanting to offer something unique and tasty.

House of Chimney Cakes

Traditionally known as Kürtöskalács, chimney cakes are the national dessert of Hungary. The sweet bread is crunchy on the outside and doughy inside with a hole in the middle that is filled with ice cream or pineapple or strawberry Dole Whip. A comprehensive training program helps onboard new franchisees.

Green District

The gourmet chopped salad franchise sells 11 signature wraps and salads featuring more than 50 ingredients and the choice of 15 house-made dressings. Flavorful and healthy, yet affordable meals are the specialty at GD, which was founded in Louisville in 2017. Franchises are being considered in all 50 states to franchisees with a recommended $100,000 available for setup and fees.

Le Macaron

A business filled with delicious French desserts including, in addition to its signature macarons, gelato, chocolate, and pastries. Three different models are available to franchisees, café, modular kiosk, or mobile cart. Franchisees can start a café for $130,000 or a kiosk or cart for $85,000. All baking is done at Le Macaron French Pastries Confectionary kitchens and delivered to franchisees, making it easier than ever to have your own French pastry business.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria

Its original location was by the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, but franchisees can be responsible for bringing world-famous New York pizza to diners across the country. Custom built coal-fired brick ovens and a 100-year tradition are what make this pizza franchise truly unique. The franchise provides assistance in site selection and build-out in addition to training and marketing support.

Juniper Grill

Offering an “upscale casual dining” experience, Juniper Grill focuses on using fresh local ingredients to maximize flavor and minimize the amount of space used by freezers. The result is lower overhead costs and more room to create an inviting dining space. Franchise fees are $50,000 along with a suggested $650,000 available for cash investment.

Gelatissimo

An Australian franchise that has expanded internationally while staying true to its Calabrian family gelato recipes, Gelatissimo is looking to establish “master franchises” in the US. It offers site selection and lease negotiation assistance as well as a 10-day initial training in Sydney. Franchisees can get in the gourmet gelato business and write off a business trip to Australia? Sounds like a win-win.

Vom Fass

Vom Fass is a specialty grocery store founded in Germany in 1994 that sells some of the world’s best spirits, wines, liqueurs, spreads, spices, oils, and vinegars. In addition to selling fine artisanal products, Vom Fass stores employ well-trained staff that can offer suggestions and recipes for the products you buy. An extensive training program has led to the opening of more than 270 locations around the world.

New York Butcher Shoppe

This market and caterer is able to operate with a small staff in a retail space as small as 1,100 sq. ft. while providing hand cut Certified Angus Beef along with prepared entrees, salads, and more. Getting started requires an upfront investment of around $150,000 to $250,000 and the franchise provides help with site selection, training, and opening.

Sofi’s Crepes

Bringing sweet and savory crepes to the people of Baltimore was the goal of Ann Costlow. Before opening, she traveled to France to visit creperies and talk with their owners to gain first-hand knowledge of how to run her business. Now, aspiring franchisees can start serving their own crepes with lessons passed on from Ann.

Café Fondue

In 1997, Jae and Glenn Ford founded Café Fondue after Jae returned from living in Europe for more than 12 years. Missing the flavor and atmosphere of European fondue, Jae decided to open his first restaurant in Indiana to recreate the experience for other returning world travelers and those who didn’t have the chance to travel abroad. Franchisees can now bring the experience to their hometown for a $35,000 franchise fee.