Tuesday, February 4, 2025

The restaurant sector perfectly illustrates the rise of franchising!

The restaurant sector perfectly illustrates the rise of franchising!
In an unstable economic context, franchising has emerged as an attractive, flexible, and efficient business model. This system, based on a collaboration between a franchisor providing a solid concept, expertise, and reliable support, and franchisees benefiting from a structured framework, increasingly appeals to professionals seeking profitability and security.

The restaurant industry, particularly dynamic, perfectly exemplifies the growth of franchising. Whether in mass-market products, world cuisines, or snacking, franchised brands are doubling down on innovation to meet new consumer demands while adapting to technological and societal changes.

In this article, we will dive into the dynamics shaping the world of restaurant franchising in 2025 and share key insights to venture into this field successfully.

What are the figures?

Today, the franchising model is increasingly appealing to entrepreneurs and future entrepreneurs. This model continues to grow: 84% of franchisors opened at least one additional location in the past twelve months, according to the FFF report revealed in March 2024.

The restaurant sector is particularly well-suited to this model. According to the FFF, in France in 2023, fast food and themed dining accounted for nearly 11% of the franchise market, confirming its central role in this ecosystem.

This enthusiasm for franchising aligns with a broader trend where entrepreneurship attracts more and more French individuals, especially those seeking professional reconversion. A study conducted in 2024 by the French Franchise Federation and OpinionWay revealed that over 7 out of 10 franchisees are former employees, demonstrating that the reassuring framework of franchising appeals to a cautious audience.

Furthermore, 48% of active employees admit to having considered a career change, with younger individuals (under 35) representing the majority (over 60%). Among this younger generation, entrepreneurship is highly favored, with more than 59% of employees aspiring to start their own businesses, compared to 37% in older generations.

However, many obstacles remain: 65% of respondents cite a lack of resources, 33% mention financial means, 24% lack a specific project, and 22% fear returning to studies or training. This is where franchising plays a key role: the support and turnkey model, ensuring a certain level of success, provide concrete solutions to these concerns and reassure potential franchisees.

Beyond its reassuring aspect, franchising also attracts individuals with its profitability potential, especially in the restaurant sector. Iconic brands like McDonald’s or Domino’s Pizza rank among the top 10 most profitable franchises in 2023. With approximately €3,974,000 in net revenue per unit, McDonald’s remains a key player in terms of both foot traffic and revenue. The success of these franchised chains is based on solid economic models, combining the strength of a recognized brand with controlled operating costs and strong consumer demand. These financial performances encourage many entrepreneurs to join these networks, despite often high entry fees.

Thus, balancing stability and innovation, the franchised restaurant sector is a dynamic field where consumer expectations remain the main driver of change.

This growing market dynamic is built on several trends shaping the franchised restaurant landscape.

2025 Trends for restaurant franchises

In 2025, franchised concepts will continue to diversify and modernize to meet consumer expectations. Three major trends stand out:

Mass-market products: Essential staples

Burgers and pizzas remain the most popular products in franchised dining. McDonald’s continues to be the undisputed leader. With more than 1,500 restaurants in France by 2023, 80% of which are managed by over 328 franchisees, McDonald’s remains a top choice for French consumers. However, competitors like Burger King and KFC are also well-loved, offering additional variety. Alongside them, new players like Black&White Burger, voted the best burger franchise of 2025, attract attention with their distinctive positioning.

In the pizza segment, brands like Pizza Cosy stand out with original and sophisticated recipes, often created in collaboration with renowned chefs (e.g., Carla Ferrari, a former Top Chef contestant, who has now joined Pizza Cosy). Their fast, digitalized service meets consumers' high standards for quality and speed, fueling the network's dynamic growth in recent years.

World cuisine: Innovative concepts

With a growing interest in international flavors, particularly Asian cuisine, world cuisine is a strong trend in 2025.

Brands like Pitaya or Street Bangkok, specializing in Asian street food, appeal to consumers with immersive concepts and affordable prices. Poke bowl restaurants are also gaining popularity among the French, with brands like Heiko Poke riding the "healthy" wave while offering gourmet, high-end options. Their balanced, customizable meals address consumers' demand for personalization.

Bakery snacking: Tradition meets modernity

Bakery snacking is a rising trend among established franchise players such as Marie Blachère and Boulangerie Ange, leveraging their reputation and strategic locations.

However, new players are also making waves, such as the Feuillette chain, which now has a network of 75 bakeries, including around 30 franchises. Their highly developed snacking offering, combined with high-quality baking expertise and traditional-themed interiors, makes Feuillette an innovative and promising player in the franchised restaurant sector.

Thus, the restaurant market balances innovation and continuity, making it imperative for entrepreneurs entering this sector to understand its structure and evolution to sustain and adapt their concepts over time.
Although the restaurant sector is highly promising, a few essential rules must be followed to succeed in this competitive field.

Key steps for starting a franchise in the restaurant sector

Success in running a franchised restaurant depends on more than simply choosing a popular brand.

Adapting to consumer expectations

Customer experience is now at the heart of franchisee priorities. Consumers seek more than just a product: they expect an enjoyable experience, often enhanced by digitalization. Offering connected services—such as self-service kiosks or loyalty programs via mobile apps—has become essential to meeting these new expectations. Leading brands also incorporate click-and-collect options or fast delivery services to attract a connected, time-pressed audience.

Choosing a Strategic Location

In the restaurant business, location can make all the difference. Targeting high-potential areas—busy city centers, business districts, shopping zones, or transit hubs like train stations—is crucial. A good location not only maximizes customer flow but also establishes the brand as a local reference. Franchisors often assist their franchisees in this process by analyzing trade areas and foot traffic trends. Conducting a market study is also essential to precisely target the area and estimate revenue based on the chosen location.

Selecting the right brand

Finally, choosing the right brand is a decisive factor. It's not just about investing in an attractive concept but also ensuring that the franchisor’s values, positioning, and support align with your expectations. A solid brand should provide a structured framework, expertise, and consistent support, both operationally and strategically. This choice requires carefully analyzing network entry conditions, fees, royalties, and medium- to long-term profitability prospects.

By considering these three aspects, future franchisees can ensure a strong start and maximize their chances of success in the franchised restaurant sector.

Franchising in the restaurant industry continues to evolve and adapt to new consumer expectations, remaining an especially attractive entrepreneurial model. Current trends—from reimagined mass-market products to world cuisines and bakery snacking—highlight the central role of innovation in this sector. Successful franchises are those that capture these shifts while enhancing customer experiences, particularly through digitalization and flexible concepts.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, it is crucial to surround themselves with the right support, choose the right location, and select a brand that aligns with their values and ambitions. Restaurant franchising thus offers multiple opportunities, but to make the most of them, it’s essential to understand and anticipate consumer expectations while following effective operational strategies.

As 2025 approaches, the sector continues to attract and offer growth prospects. The future looks promising for franchisees ready to invest and innovate in a constantly evolving market.