Mi Gusto Franchise: 5 Options in the Food Industry

food industry
Carolina Ines Sosa
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Published on 1 Feb 2023 Time to read 7 min read Last update on 29 Jan 2024

It started as a rotisserie, then applied a McDonald’s secret and doubled its empanadas factory due to the delivery boom. Who are we talking about? The Mi Gusto Franchise.

Mi Gusto

The Mi Gusto chain has 35 branches between the province of Buenos Aires and the Federal Capital. In 2020, despite the pandemic, its sales grew by 100%.

The Mi Gusto franchise is expanding its empanadas production and doubling the capacity of its factory. This decision was made in response to the overwhelming demand of their delicious empanadas. Mi Gusto has become a staple in the food delivery market, and this expansion will help them keep up with the high demand!

The owner, according to an article he wrote for elcronista.com, stated, “My first job was at McDonald’s. It was there that I learned three pillars: quality, service and cleanliness. I went that way.”

Mi Gusto’s empanadas are handmade with the freshest ingredients, and they use a special recipe in an effort to please any palate. The expansion of the Mi Gusto franchise is great news for food lovers everywhere.

While it is an excellent opportunity, the Mi Gusto franchise unfortunately does not yet exist in the United States.

Food Industry

The Food industry is a significant contributor to regional economies and the U.S. economy. It is a stable industry in terms of employment and labor income due to the constant demand for food. In addition, it employs 14.6 million workers and accounts for about 13% of all U.S. manufacturing employment. It is an industry that has developed significant innovations over time, responding quickly to changes in consumer demand and meeting the needs of 330 million U.S. consumers.

The Food sector accounts for about 5% of gross domestic product (GDP), 10% of total U.S. employment, and 10% of the disposable personal income (DPI) of U.S. consumers. Its total sales amount to $1.4 trillion, of which $164 billion in value added is generated by the Food and Beverage industry alone.

Today we want to show you foreign fast food franchises that are impossible to miss. If you want to come to the United States, pay attention to these franchises because you can invest in these foreign franchises and live legally in the USA.

1. Beard Papa’s

In 1999, a small bakery opened its doors in the small town of Osaka, Japan. The local residents couldn’t resist the aroma of the bakery, nor the friendly face of the owner, Yuji Hirota. His fluffy white beard was so famous that all his regular customers knew him as Beard Papa.

Beard Papa’s stores continue to use the recipe to this day, along with a host of new recipes that are bound to satisfy any palate. Whether in Japan, Australia, Canada, or the United States, you can always find your own Beard Papa’s.

The minimum investment amount required to open a Beard Papa’s franchise is $196,400 and can go as high as $475,000.

In 2021, there were 25 locations in the U.S. There are also 3 corporate locations. Most Food and Beverage franchises like Beard Papa’s have more franchised locations than corporate locations.

2. Street Churros

Street Churros started in Korea, where people are fanatical when it comes to street food.

Always handmade and made to order, they have taken a traditional Spanish churro recipe and given it a bold twist of their own.

Street Churros is based in Los Angeles, California.

The minimum investment amount required to open a Street Churros franchise is $93,000 and can go as high as $352,000.

In the last year for which we have data, Street Churros had a net unit growth rate of 0%.

Without comparison, this number doesn’t mean much. Compare how Street Churros’ growth rate compares to over 2,000 other franchises and industry franchises similar to Street Churros. There is more information on the Street Churros metrics tab.

food industry

3. Kisses From Italy

The franchise being offered is for a fast casual breakfast, lunch, and dinner restaurant operating under the name Kisses From Italy. A Kisses From Italy restaurant specializes in freshly prepared, high-quality Italian dishes with an American touch, where the entire menu is served throughout the day, and which utilizes the franchisor’s recipes, formulas, techniques, trade dress, trademarks, and logos.

The minimum investment amount required to open a Kisses From Italy franchise is $183,900 and can go up to $691,000.

Kisses From Italy is eligible for SBA loans, including the 7(a) loan.

The Kisses From Italy franchise was assigned the SBA Franchise ID of S5865 on 08/17/2020. This does NOT mean that the SBA endorses this franchise. The SBA franchise directory will only include business models such as Kisses From Italy that are reviewed and determined eligible under SBA’s affiliation rules and other eligibility criteria. Currently, there are more than 7,000 franchise opportunities that the SBA has deemed eligible for SBA funding.

4. La Birra Bar

The secret to La Birra Bar’s success comes down to their passion.

Since 1992 they have been creating products in their kitchens that are recognized both nationally and internationally, which is why specialized journalists have repeatedly positioned them as the best hamburger restaurant in Argentina.

La Birra Bar comes from a family with a gastronomic tradition, and as a result of their passion they create extraordinary hamburgers and an unforgettable dining experience, with premises designed so that enjoyment and flavor are guaranteed.

Also, La Birra Bar won the 2022 People’s Choice Award for the best hamburger in the U.S.

5. Lucciano’s

Lucciano’s opened its first store in the Florida Mall in Orlando. Before that, it made its first shipment of handmade ice cream to that country, with a container of ice-pops. The company was born in Mar del Plata, thanks to Daniel and Christian Otero, and this year it celebrated its first decade.

Lucciano’s already manufactures in that location, although it continues to import a large part of its production. For this purpose, it certified its factory in Mar del Plata through the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In Argentina, the company, which became known for its popsicles with modern presentations and innovative tastes with Italian influence, already has almost 50 points of sale with an avant-garde esthetic. Its handmade ice cream was chosen the best in the city of Buenos Aires in a gourmet competition organized by the Buenos Aires government.

food industry

When looking for a franchise opportunity, one of the first things you want to know is how much money you can expect to make. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. Every franchisee’s experience is different, and depends on a number of factors such as the industry they are in, the size of their territory, and the effort they put in.

Vetted Biz

At Vetted Biz, our sister platform, we suggest that if you’re thinking about franchising, be sure to do your research and talk to as many existing franchisees as possible to better understand what you can expect in terms of revenue. With the right opportunity and a little hard work, you could make a lot of money as a franchisee.

Approximately 60% of franchises disclose financials, and this makes the process easier when it comes to filtering out potential franchise opportunities like the ones we just disclosed.

Don’t just talk to existing franchisees. Call franchisees who have recently left the system and try to find out how much those franchise owners were making.

If you are looking to get started in the franchising business, be sure to check out Vetted Biz. We offer a variety of franchise opportunities, and our team can help you find the perfect fit for your skills and interests.

Take our free U.S. opportunity assessment today

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