Top 12 Most Profitable Food Franchise Opportunities in India 2025

India's food service industry has seen a massive boom in the last decade, thanks to rapid urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and a growing appetite for dining out. The organized food sector in India is estimated to touch INR 7.76 trillion by 2028, and food franchises play a significant role in this upward trend.

Food franchising in India is one of the most lucrative options for entrepreneurs. It combines low risk with high returns, brand trust, and operational support. From QSRs (Quick Service Restaurants) to dessert kiosks, food trucks, and cloud kitchens, franchise formats are evolving fast to suit diverse investor profiles.

In this article, we will provide you with a list of the top food franchise business opportunities for 2025. This will allow you to make an informed decision regarding the franchise arrangement that best suits your business goals and aspirations.

What is a Food Franchise & How Does It Work in India?
Why Are Food Franchises Booming in India?
12 Profitable Food Franchises to Apply For
List of 12 Most Successful Food Franchise Brands in India
Key Factors to Consider Before Investing in a Food Franchise in India

What is a Food Franchise & How Does It Work in India?

A food franchise is a business arrangement where a brand (franchisor) allows an individual or group (franchisee) to operate under its name in exchange for a fee.

Here’s how it works in India:

• The franchisor grants the rights to use its brand, recipes, and business model.
• The franchisee invests capital and pays royalty fees to the franchisor.
• The franchisor provides end-to-end support, training, marketing, supply chain, and operations.

This model is ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those with limited budgets, as it offers lower risk and strong brand backing from day one.

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Why Are Food Franchises Booming in India?

Food franchises are booming in India thanks to a blend of economic growth, evolving lifestyles, and changing food habits. Here’s why they’re so popular:

Rising Incomes & Urban Lifestyles

As disposable incomes grow and urbanisation expands, more Indians are spending on convenient, high-quality food, fueling demand for quick-service outlets and premium dining.

Convenience is King

Busy schedules and app-based living have made quick, accessible meals a necessity. Platforms like Swiggy and Zomato have further boosted delivery-friendly franchise formats.

Global Trends, Local Flavours

Health foods, plant-based menus, and regional fusions are hot. Franchises that blend global food trends with Indian tastes are especially in demand.

Low Risk, High Support

Franchises offer tried-and-tested business models with strong brand recall. Plus, franchisors provide full support, from training to marketing, making it a safer bet for investors.

12 Profitable Food Franchises to Apply For

List of 12 Most Successful Food Franchise Brands in India

Domino’s Pizza

Domino’s is the king of pizza in India. Backed by Jubilant FoodWorks, the brand offers a rock-solid franchise model with detailed SOPs, tech integrations, and powerful marketing. While the investment is higher, the brand pull and revenue potential are unmatched. Plus, delivery-focused models make it suitable for urban high-density areas.

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Subway

Subway is the world’s largest sandwich chain and a healthy fast-food alternative. It offers a low-cost franchise model suitable for kiosks, food courts, and compact outlets.

Subway’s India menu includes vegetarian and Jain options, which appeal to diverse urban consumers. Franchise support includes location analysis, training, and a centralized supply chain.

Bikanervala

Bikanervala is a trusted Indian brand offering sweets, snacks, and full meals. It caters to both casual dine-in and takeaway formats, making it flexible for investors.

Its franchise model includes help with store layout, staff training, branding, and raw material supply. The brand’s traditional roots and strong NRI customer base make it a profitable choice.

KFC

KFC is a leading QSR brand in India, especially among Gen Z and millennials. Known for its crispy fried chicken, KFC has a strong brand recall and presence in high-traffic locations.

The franchise model includes standardized kitchen equipment, extensive training, and marketing support. With aggressive expansion in metro and tier-1 cities, it offers high ROI potential.

Barbeque Nation

Barbeque Nation is India’s premier live grill dining chain. It’s ideal for investors who want to enter the casual dining segment with a proven concept.

The brand provides complete backend support, menu curation, chef training, tech systems, and marketing. Though capital-intensive, the returns are equally impressive for high-footfall urban locations.

Haldiram’s

Haldiram’s needs no introduction. From snacks to sweets and full-fledged restaurants, the brand caters to traditional Indian tastes with modern systems.

Franchisees benefit from massive brand recognition, a robust supply chain, and diversified revenue streams. It's a safe bet for legacy food investors.

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Biryani Blues

If there's one dish that Indians can't resist, it's biryani. Biryani Blues taps into this craving with authentic Hyderabadi-style biryani.

The franchise model is designed for rapid scalability. Their training includes kitchen management, hygiene protocols, and standard recipes. For cities with a love for spicy food, this is a goldmine.

The Belgian Waffle Co.

Known for its pocket waffles, Belgian Waffle Co. is one of the most profitable dessert franchises in India. Its compact outlets and kiosk-friendly model mean lower operational costs and high footfall.

Franchisees receive centralized supply, tech-enabled billing, and branding support. With millennials and Gen Z hooked, it’s a dessert revolution worth betting on.

Wow! Momo

Wow! Momo is India’s leading QSR specializing in momos and Tibetan snacks. It’s one of the fastest-growing food brands, with stores in malls, high streets, airports, and even cloud kitchens.

Franchisees get support in site selection, marketing, staff training, and procurement. The ROI is fast, with minimal wastage and high demand for affordable fast food. With aggressive expansion plans in 2025, it's a smart pick.

Rolls Mania

With India’s love for kathi rolls, Rolls Mania taps into fast food cravings with a robust menu and quick service. It’s perfect for small spaces and food courts.

Their franchise includes centralized supply, training, and 360-degree support, making it an ideal choice for first-time investors.

Chai Point

Chai Point is one of India’s leading tea retail chains, redefining how chai is consumed by busy professionals across cities. Known for its clean, tech-enabled outlets and signature chai-on-tap dispensers, the brand is expanding through its Shops-in-Shops and Vending Machine (VMS) models.

Though Chai Point traditionally operated through company-owned outlets, it has begun offering partnership opportunities in select formats like express kiosks and institutional vending. Franchise partners get access to its proprietary brewing tech, supply chain, and established brand trust.

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Giani’s

Giani’s is one of India’s oldest ice cream and dessert chains. From sundaes to kulfis and faloodas, their outlets are always buzzing.

It’s a low-cost, high-return investment with strong consumer loyalty. The brand also helps with store setup, training, and social media promotions.

Key Factors to Consider Before Investing in a Food Franchise in India

Before stepping into a food franchise investment, keep these essential points in mind:

• Brand Strength: A trusted, recognizable brand draws in customers faster and builds credibility.
• Franchise Support: Look for brands that offer solid training, setup help, and operational guidance.
• Consumer Demand: Choose a franchise that aligns with trending tastes and regional preferences.
• Profitability: Assess the ROI, break-even timeline, and long-term earning potential.
• Strategic Location: Pick a spot with high footfall, easy access, and good visibility for better sales.

Conclusion

Due to changing consumer preferences and a strong desire for quality dining experiences, the food franchise business in India is booming. It doesn't matter if you are looking to open a low-investment tea stall or a full-service dining establishment; these profitable food franchises have something for every budget.

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FAQs

What is a food franchise?

A food franchise is a business model where a franchisor (established food company) licenses their brand, business methods, and operating system to a franchisee (individual or entity) for a fee. 

How to start a food franchise in India?

To start a food franchise in India, you need to research and select a franchise brand, prepare a business plan, and secure necessary legal and financial approvals. 

What are some most profitable food franchise in India?

Some most profitable food franchise in India are Dominos, Subway, Bikanervala, Barbeque Nation, Haldiram, Wow! Momo, Biryani Blues, Giani’s, Belgian Waffle Co, Rolls Mania, Chai Point, KFC.