Do you want to buy a franchise in the hot dog industry? If yes, we have got you covered. In this article, we’ll discuss the ten best hot dog franchise opportunities for sale in the United States.
Hot dogs are some of the most loved and highly consumed snacks in the United States.
Whether you are enjoying your favorite football game or sitting on a sunny beach watching the sea, hot dogs are one of those foods that everyone can enjoy regardless of age.
According to a recent survey conducted by the American Hot Dog and Sausage Council, the average American eats about 70 hot dogs annually, which is 20 billion hot dogs annually.
Hot dog franchises are one of the best ways to enter into the space as they are comparatively low cost, easy to run, and you have a proven business model to follow.
Here are the top 10 nationally recognized brands of hot dog franchises that offer the best franchise opportunities for investors who love the art of the hot dog and want to bring that classic food to their neighborhood. Let’s take a look!
10 Best Hot Dog Franchise Opportunities
Here are the ten best hot dog franchise opportunities in the United States that you can start in 2023:
1. Nathan’s Famous Inc. Franchise
| Founded | 1916 |
| Franchising Since | 1975 |
| Estimated Outlets | 250+ |
| Initial Investment | $326,050-$1,170,360 |
| Franchise Fees | $30,000 |
| Liquidity | $100,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 5.5% |
Nathan’s Famous Inc. Franchises is one of the top five hot dog franchises in the United States.
The iconic hot dog chain was founded in 1916 by Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker, and since, it has become a household name.
Nathan’s menu includes a huge variety of items, including hot dogs, hamburgers, and French fries, but their most popular item is a famous beef hot dog.
The company started franchising in 1988 and expanded to over 200 locations worldwide.
As Nathan’s franchisee, you can benefit from the established brand recognition and the company’s strong marketing and advertising campaigns to drive more customers to the store.
The company also offers ongoing research and development to ensure your menu stays fresh and relevant.
2. Sonic Drive-In Franchise
| Founded | 1950 |
| Franchising Since | 1953 |
| Estimated Outlets | 3,593 + |
| Initial Investment | $865,000-$3,561,300 |
| Franchise Fees | $45,000 |
| Liquidity | $500,000-$1,000,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 2-5% |
Sonic Drive-In is one of America’s iconic drive-in hot dog restaurants.
Founded in 1950, the restaurant offers one of the most extensive menus serving everything from hot dogs to juicy burgers to famous milkshakes but honors its hot dog roots with five signature flavors of hot dogs, including All American Dog, chili cheese coney, footlong chili cheese coney, New York dog, and corn dog.
The restaurant has expanded to more than 50 states and offers solid franchise investment opportunities for investors with heightened business sense.
There has never been a better time to become a Sonic Drive-In franchisee as they provide the best-in-class franchise support, instant brand recognition, ongoing support, and third-party financing to cover the following: franchise fees, startup cost, equipment, inventory, and payroll.
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3. Wienerschnitzel Franchise
| Founded | 1961 |
| Franchising Since | 1965 |
| Estimated Outlets | 330+ |
| Initial Investment | $303,600-$1,443,000 |
| Franchise Fees | $10,000-$32,000 |
| Liquidity | $250,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 5% |
Weinerschnitzel is the largest hot dog chain in the world that stands out for delivering the best hot dog experience in the nation.
Founded in 1961, the family-owned quick-servant restaurant offers a simple but unique menu that is envied by competitors.
They offer 12 different flavors of hot dogs along with sandwiches, hamburgers, tacos, and more.
Weinerschnitzel offers exceptional franchise support and owns 323 franchises throughout the United States.
They are looking for single and multi-unit franchise partners committed to being brand ambassadors. The franchisor offers best-in-class training and ongoing support to the franchisees.
Weinerschnitzel is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to enter the fast-food industry and tap into a proven business model.
4. Hot Dog on a Stick Franchise
| Founded | 1946 |
| Franchising Since | 1997 |
| Estimated Outlets | 21 |
| Initial Investment | $349,200-$582,000 |
| Franchise Fees | $15,000-$25,000 |
| Liquidity | $100,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 6% |
Hot Dog on a Stick is well-known for its turkey dogs and lemonade.
Founded in 1946, the franchise is famous for its unique concept of selling hot dogs in shopping malls, festivals, and fairs.
With its innovative menu, quirky uniforms, and signature lemonade, Hot Dog on a Stick stands out from the competitors and is an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs looking for a fun and exciting business to run and tap into a fan base who likes to enjoy something different and enjoyable.
Franchisees will have the opportunity to own and operate their own business while benefiting from the company’s extensive training and support program, strong, established name, and marketing support to help to drive traffic to their stores.
5. Dog Haus Worldwide Franchise
| Founded | 2010 |
| Franchising Since | 2013 |
| Estimated Outlets | 47 |
| Initial Investment | $366,000-$823,100 |
| Franchise Fees | $35,000 |
| Liquidity | $75,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 6% |
Dog Haus is one of the most rapidly growing hot dog franchises in the United States.
Founded in 2010, the hot dog chain is famous for its gourmet take on hot dogs, sausages, burgers, and a variety of other items.
Dog Haus offers customized selections of more than 30+ quality toppings and has something to cater to every taste bud and can be an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs looking for a fun and exciting business to run.
Dog Haus is searching for franchisees with prior restaurant experience and willing to put in the work with the brand’s business model. The franchisor offers strong corporate support for its franchisees.
They have relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the startup costs, franchise fees, equipment, inventory, payroll, and more.
6. Dave’s the Doghouse LLC Franchise
| Founded | 2002 |
| Franchising Since | 2014 |
| Estimated Outlets | 4 |
| Initial Investment | $25,000-$245,700 |
| Franchise Fees | $25,000 |
| Liquidity | $50,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 6.5% |
Dave’s the Doghouse is a North Carolina-based fast-food chain that offers a delicious variety of hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, and signature side dishes at affordable prices.
The restaurant was founded in 2002 by Howard Johnson, who got the idea of hand-made special buns with a cut in a center, a cutting nest for the hot dog.
The franchisor is looking for new franchisees for further expansion and provides the training and resources franchisees need to start and operate a Dave’s the Doghouse franchise.
Additionally, franchisees can also leverage branding, company software, and marketing resources to grow their business and take it further.
7. The Original Hot Dog Factory Franchise
| Founded | 2010 |
| Franchising Since | 2018 |
| Estimated Outlets | 3 |
| Initial Investment | $98,000-$518,000 |
| Franchise Fees | $20,000 |
| Liquidity | $40,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 5% |
The Original Hot Dog Factory is another beloved hot dog chain in America.
Founded in 2010, their menu is packed with a variety of appetizing hot dogs served steamed, grilled, and fried, inspired by traditional flavors from all around the world.
In addition to hot dogs, they also offer a variety of sandwiches, wings, desserts, and more.
Original Hot Dog Factory is actively seeking new franchisees with a passion for business to expand and acquire more locations in shopping malls, colleges, airports, and more.
The interested franchisees will have to sign a single or multi-unit development agreement.
In return, franchisees will receive a great deal of support, including pre-opening training, brand awareness, marketing, construction, and continued support to open and build their business.
8. Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ Franchise
| Founded | 2018 |
| Franchising Since | 2018 |
| Estimated Outlets | 12 |
| Initial Investment | $186,000-$695,000 |
| Franchise Fees | $25,000-$40,000 |
| Liquidity | $50,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 7% |
Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ is a unique restaurant that offers excellent food at affordable prices in a family-friendly environment.
Founded in 2018, the restaurant strives to give customers an experience that will make them keep coming for more.
With a menu packed full of varieties of hot dogs, pulled chicken, smoked brisket, and pork, they have something for everyone.
If you love hot dogs and seeing families having a fun time, Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ can be an excellent franchise opportunity for you.
With a strong business model that accommodates pre-visit orders, self-order kiosks, food trucks, and door-to-door delivery Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ is well positioned in the market to attract a wide range of customers.
The brand offers initial training, marketing support, and ongoing assistance throughout the franchising process.
9. Dat Dog Franchise
| Founded | 2011 |
| Franchising Since | 2016 |
| Estimated Outlets | 4 |
| Initial Investment | $502,000-$928,000 |
| Franchise Fees | $50,000 |
| Liquidity | $150,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 6.5% |
Dat Dog is an award-winning fast and casual craft beef hot dog workshop that offers a mind-blowing variety of hot dogs, sausages, burgers, chicken, premium spirits, and handcrafted beers and cocktails.
The customers can choose from over 30 different toppings to create their very own improvision in a bun.
Opening a Dat Dog franchise may offer a more predictable outcome than investing in a completely new brand that could struggle to thrive in this super-competitive industry.
To guarantee that you don’t feel alone, the franchisor dedicates itself to providing initial training and ongoing support in the grand opening, security and safety procedures, lease negotiation, and field operations.
10. Umai Savory Hot Dogs Franchise
| Founded | 1993 |
| Franchising Since | 2015 |
| Estimated Outlets | 6 |
| Initial Investment | $118,000-$227,000 |
| Franchise Fees | $20,000 |
| Liquidity | $100,000 |
| Royalty Fees | 5% |
Umai Savory Hot Dogs is the best place for those who love hot dogs but don’t want to compromise their health as well.
The restaurant offers unlimited combinations of gluten-free, MSG-free fusion-style gourmet hot dogs that are perfect for health-conscious folks.
With over 27 signature flavors, 11 types of meats, and 10 types of sauces, customers can create their custom menu.
If you have been looking for a franchise opportunity that is unique, distinctive, and has a strong brand following, Umai Savory Hot Dogs is one of the most promising hot dog franchises to invest in.
The franchisee cab expects to receive initial training, ongoing support, and third-party financing to cover franchise fees and equipment.
Comparison of Top 5 Hot Dogs Franchise Opportunities
| Company | Nathan’s Famous Inc. Franchises | Sonic Drive-In Franchises | Weinerschnitzel | Hot Dog on a Stick | Dog Haus Worldwide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1916 | 2000 | 1961 | 1946 | 2010 |
| Outlets | 250+ | 256 | 330 | 21 | 47 |
| Franchise Fee | $30,000 | $45,000 | $10,000-$32,000 | $15,000-$25,000 | $35,000 |
| Initial Investment | $326,050-$1,170,360 | $865,000-$3,561,300 | $303,600-$1,443,000 | $349,200-$582,000 | $366,000-$823,100 |
| Royalty Fee | 5.5% | 2-5% | 5% | 6% | 6% |
Conclusion
The food industry, including hot dog franchises, is generally safe when it comes to investing and consistently generating revenue.
However, it is important to thoroughly research and figure out if the financial requirements of a specific franchise align with your budget and core values.
Some of the most important factors you should pay attention to before buying a franchise include the support and training offered, terms, and conditions of the franchise agreement, local market conditions, and how other franchisees are performing to ensure you’ll have the best chance of success.
To conclude, we can say that all the hot dog franchise opportunities listed in this post are worth purchasing.
To ease the challenge, we have also made a comparison chart of the top five best hot dog franchise opportunities showing the minimum initial investment, franchise fees, and royalty for each brand so you can easily see the difference and decide which one is the best for you.
FAQ
Is It Worth Investing In A Hot Dog Franchise In 2023?
The worthiness of investing in a hot dog franchise in the United States depends on many factors, such as the brand’s reputation, location, current market conditions, competition, and your own financial goals.
It is advisable to consult a franchise attorney and a financial advisor to help you evaluate the opportunity and then make an informed decision.
How Much Does A Hot Dog Franchise Owner Make?
Hot dogs are the second most popular fast food in the United States after hamburgers, and the majority of hot dog franchise owners reported never experiencing sluggish sales simply because everyone loves hot dogs.
The exact amount a franchise owner makes varies as it depends on how much you charge for a hot dog, your manufacturing cost, brand reputation, and location.
Amit Gupta is the founder of DrFranchises – a digital marketing agency that helps brands rank better on Google Maps through local SEO strategies. Amit has over 11 years of experience in digital marketing, SEO, email marketing, and social media marketing. He’s also the owner of multiple franchises and has helped countless brands achieve success online. When he’s not working, Amit can be found playing with his dog.