Are you an investor looking to move to the U.S. through the E-2 Visa? The E-2 Visa allows foreigners to legally reside in the U.S. as an owner-operator of a business with a minimum $100,000 investment. We at Visa Franchise, believe that the best opportunity for obtaining your E-2 visa is through a franchise. After all, franchises tend to be well-established businesses with a proven track record of financial success. Overall, they come with lower risk than starting a brand new business.
However, there are some franchises that do not allow E-2 investors to become franchisees. Many of these franchises tend to be very large, expansive franchise systems that are giants in their own industry. As a result, their application process tends to be much more selective.
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Below, our team has compiled the top 50 franchises that are NOT available for E-2 investors for any number of reasons. For example, franchises that require multi-unit development agreements tend to not be accessible for foreign investors, while other franchises like Domino’s primarily hire internally, meaning they promote managers and supervisors into franchise investors.
50 Franchises NOT Available for E-2 Investors
1. McDonald’s
Number of U.S. Locations: 13,769 (2020)
Year Founded: 1955
Starting Investment Amount: $464,000
McDonald’s provides franchises to operate a quick-service restaurant offering a limited menu of value-priced foods. McDonald’s is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
2. Dunkin’ Donuts
Number of U.S. Locations: 8,282 (2019)
Year Founded: 1950
Starting Investment Amount: $211,000
Dunkin’ offers franchises to operate restaurants featuring Dunkin’ coffee, donuts, bagels, and other related food items and beverages. Dunkin’ is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry, but it’s NOT available for E-2 investors.
3. Domino’s Pizza
Number of U.S. Locations: 6,157 (2019)
Year Founded: 1960
Starting Investment Amount: $144,000
Domino’s Pizza sells pizza, cheese breads, desserts, and other authorized foods and beverages for delivery and carry-out. Domino’s is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
4. Circle K
Number of U.S. Locations: 5,976 (2019)
Year Founded: 1951
Starting Investment Amount: $614,000
Circle K is a retail convenience store chain offering a wide variety of products for people on the go. Circle K is a franchise concept in the Retail Products and Services industry.
5. Pizza Hut
Number of U.S. Locations: 5,976 (2019)
Year Founded: 1958
Starting Investment Amount: $787,000
Pizza Hut provides franchises to operate restaurants offering pizza, pasta and WingStreet chicken products and side dishes in a traditional location. Pizza Hut Traditional is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
6. UPS Store
Number of U.S. Locations: 4,773 (2018)
Year Founded: 1980
Starting Investment Amount: $138,433
UPS Store offers franchises for centers featuring business and communication services to be operated at Traditional locations. The UPS Store Traditional is a franchise concept in the Business Services industry. However, it is NOT available for E-2 investors in the USA.
7. KFC
Number of U.S. Locations: 4,035 (2018)
Year Founded: 1930
Starting Investment Amount: $1,010,000
KFC offers franchises to operate a dine-in and carryout KFC outlet selling chicken and other menu items. KFC Traditional is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
8. Arby’s
Number of U.S. Locations: 3,367 (2020)
Year Founded: 1964
Starting Investment Amount: $320,000
Arby’s offers franchises to operate a restaurant featuring deli-inspired sandwiches and complementary side items and desserts. Arby’s is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
9. Jimmy John’s
Number of U.S. Locations: 2,701 (2020)
Year Founded: 1983
Starting Investment Amount: $313,000
Jimmy John’s offers franchises to operate a restaurant featuring gourmet deli sandwiches, fresh-baked breads, and other food and beverage products. Jimmy John’s is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
10. Hardee’s
Number of U.S. Locations: 2,194 (2020)
Year Founded: 1960
Starting Investment Amount: $1,310,000
Hardee’s quick service restaurant offers limited breakfast, lunch, and dinner products and features quick service menu items. Hardee’s is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry. This franchise is NOT available for E-2 investors.
11. Planet Fitness
Number of U.S. Locations: 2,050 (2020)
Year Founded: 1992
Starting Investment Amount: $936,600
Planet Fitness is a fitness training facility offering exercise machines, weights, training services, and other related services. Planet Fitness is a franchise concept in the Fitness Centers industry.
12. Chem-Dry
Number of U.S. Locations: 1,831
Year Founded: 1994
Starting Investment Amount: $67,000
Chem-Dry features carpet cleaning, upholstery, and other authorized services to residential and commercial customers. Chem-Dry is a franchise concept in the Home Services industry.
13. Kumon
Number of U.S. Locations: 1,568 (2019)
Year Founded: 1989
Starting Investment Amount: $74,000
Kumon offers franchises to operate an after-school center that provides math and reading programs using the Kumon Method of learning. Kumon is a franchise concept in the Education Programs industry.
14. WingStop Restaurants
Number of U.S. Locations: 1,436 (2020)
Year Founded: 1996
Starting Investment Amount: $376,000
WingStop Restaurants is a franchise brand that sells spicy chicken wings marinated in a variety of hot sauces. WingStop Restaurants is a franchise in the Food and Beverage industry.
*not listed on Vetted Biz website*
15. Valvoline Instant Oil Change
Number of U.S. Locations: 1,275 (2019)
Year Founded: 1986
Starting Investment Amount: $181,000
Valvoline Instant Oil Change is a quick-service engine oil change facility that offers automotive services. Valvoline Instant Oil Change is a franchise concept in the Automotive industry.
16. Cold Stone Creamery
Number of U.S. Locations: 1,252 (2021)
Year Founded: 1988
Starting Investment Amount: $310,000
Cold Stone Creamery is an ice cream parlor that sells ice cream and other related frozen dessert products. Cold Stone Creamery is a franchise in the Food and Beverage industry.
17. Firehouse Subs
Number of U.S. Locations: 1,152 (2020)
Year Founded: 2004
Starting Investment Amount: $89,000
Firehouse of America offers franchises to operate an area representative business that screens prospective franchisees for Firehouse Subs restaurants. Firehouse of America is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
18. Midas
Number of U.S. Locations: 992 (2019)
Year Founded: 1959
Starting Investment Amount: $198,000
Midas is an automotive service center that repairs tires and brakes and services oil changes. Midas is a franchise concept in the Automotive industry.
19. Edible Arrangements
Number of U.S. Locations: 987 (2019)
Year Founded: 2000
Starting Investment Amount: $173,000
Edible Arrangements sells sculpted fruit floral arrangements, gift baskets made with fresh fruit, and other chocolate and fruit-related products. Edible Arrangements is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
20. Smoothie King
Number of U.S. Locations: 972 (2019)
Year Founded: 1973
Starting Investment Amount: $269,000
Smoothie King offers a franchise to operate a retail business offering smoothies and other general nutritional products. Smoothie King is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
21. Baskin-Robbins
Number of U.S. Locations: 894 (2020)
Year Founded: 1945
Starting Investment Amount: $123,000
Baskin-Robbins offers franchises to operate retail restaurants selling ice cream, related frozen products, and other food items. Baskin-Robbins is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
22. Dairy Queen
Number of U.S. Locations: 885 (2019)
Year Founded: 1962
Starting Investment Amount: $363,075
Dairy Queen offers franchises to operate DQ Treat Stores featuring quick service foods such as soft-serve, treat products, and beverages. Dairy Queen Treat is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
23. Whataburger
Number of U.S. Locations: 824 (2018)
Year Founded: 1950
Starting Investment Amount: $545,500
Whataburger is a fast food restaurant chain that serves burgers, chicken wings, sandwiches, and other related products. Whataburger is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
*not listed on Vetted biz website and NOT available for E-2 investors*
24. Fantastic Sams
Number of U.S. Locations: 801 (2020)
Year Founded: 2003
Starting Investment Amount: $215,000
Fantastic Sams is a franchise concept in the Health and Beauty industry. It is NOT available for E-2 investors.
25. Culvers
Number of U.S. Locations: 783 (2020)
Year Founded: 1987
Starting Investment Amount: $2,350,000
Culver’s offers a franchise to operate a quick-service restaurant serving burgers, sandwiches, salads, frozen custard desserts, and beverages. Culver’s is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
26. European Wax Center
Number of U.S. Locations: 750 (2019)
Year Founded: 2012
Starting Investment Amount: $356,000
European Wax Center establishes and operates a wax center that offers high-end facial and body waxing and related skin care services. European Wax Center is a franchise concept in the Retail Products and Services industry.
27. Comfort Keepers
Number of U.S. Locations: 662 (2019)
Year Founded: 1999
Starting Investment Amount: $91,000
Comfort Keepers is a senior care business that provides hospice care and other home care related services to the elderly. Comfort Keepers is a franchise concept in the Healthcare Services industry.
28. Fastsigns
Number of U.S. Locations: 659 (2020)
Year Founded: 1985
Starting Investment Amount: $218,000
Fastsigns specializes in selling, marketing, producing, installing, and repairing visual communications products. Fastsigns is a franchise concept in the Business Services industry.
29. Home Instead
Number of U.S. Locations: 611 (2019)
Year Founded: 1994
Starting Investment Amount: $108,000
Home Instead is a home healthcare company that provides hospice care for seniors. Home Instead is a franchise concept in the Healthcare Services industry.
30. Checkers
Number of U.S. Locations: 585
Year Founded: 1991
Starting Investment Amount: $780,000
Checker’s offers franchises to operate a restaurant featuring a menu of hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and other menu items. Checkers is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
31. Rita’s Italian Ice
Number of U.S. Locations: 565 (2018)
Year Founded: 2016
Starting Investment Amount: $175,000
Rita’s Italian Ice sells Italian ice, frozen custard, and other specialty frozen dessert products. Rita’s Italian Ice is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
32. Hooters
Number of U.S. Locations: 341 (2018)
Year Founded: 1984
Starting Investment Amount: $956,000
Hooters offers a limited menu featuring chicken wings and other food and beverage offerings and merchandise. Hooters is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
33. Interim Healthcare
Number of U.S. Locations: 333 (2019)
Year Founded: 1967
Starting Investment Amount: $125,000
Interim Healthcare provides health care services to individuals, and as temporary staff to other health care providers and facilities. Interim HealthCare is a franchise concept in the Healthcare Services industry that is NOT available for E-2 investors.
34. Home Helpers
Number of U.S. Locations: 310 (2019)
Year Founded: 1997
Starting Investment Amount: $84,000
Home Helpers provides senior care and home care services, medical alert, medication management, telehealth, and related services. H.H. Franchising Systems (Home Helpers) is a franchise concept in the Healthcare Services industry.
35. Taco Bell
Number of U.S. Locations: 265 (2020)
Year Founded: 1962
Starting Investment Amount: $1,258,000
Taco Bell Express offers inexpensive, Mexican-style food for take-out eating, situated in non-traditional locations. Taco Bell Express is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
36. Marble Slab Creamery
Number of U.S. Locations: 262 (2020)
Year Founded: 2007
Starting Investment Amount: $316,000
Marble Slab Creamery operates a retail ice cream store selling a superior grade of ice cream, home baked cones, ice cream cakes, and more. Marble Slab Creamery is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
37. Decorating Den Interiors
Number of U.S. Locations: 241
Year Founded: 1969
Starting Investment Amount: $53,000
Decorating Den Interiors System is an interior decorating business. Decorating Den Interiors is a franchise concept in the Home Services industry. It is NOT available for E-2 investors.
38. Biggby Coffee
Number of U.S. Locations: 231 (2018)
Year Founded: 1998
Starting Investment Amount: $189,000
Biggby Coffee offers espresso-based beverages, coffee, tea, energy drinks, sandwiches, baked good, and other related food and beverages. Biggby Coffee is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
39. Eye Level
Number of U.S. Locations: 184 (2019)
Year Founded: 1976
Starting Investment Amount: $52,000
Eye Level Learning Centers offers methods and programs for mathematics and English from pre-school up to high school students. Eye Level Learning Centers is a franchise concept in the Education Programs industry.
40. Sonic Drive-In
Number of U.S. Locations: 176
Year Founded: 1950
Starting Investment Amount: $361,000
Sonic Drive-In offers a franchise to operate a customer restaurant park, which includes a drive-thru lane, a patio, and an enclosed patio or indoor seating. Sonic Drive-In is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
*This company is no longer franchising*
41. ARCpoint Labs
Number of U.S. Locations: 95
Year Founded: 2005
Starting Investment Amount: $156,000
ARCpoint Labs provides full-service lab screening and testing services and other related services. ARCpoint Labs is a franchise concept in the Healthcare Services industry.
42. Pinkberry Ventures
Number of U.S. Locations: 80 (2020)
Year Founded: 2005
Starting Investment Amount: $295,000
Pinkberry Ventures is a company that primarily focuses on selling frozen yogurt products and a variety of toppings. Pinkberry Ventures is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
43. Red Mango
Number of U.S. Locations: 77 (2019)
Year Founded: 2006
Starting Investment Amount: $305,000
Red Mango offers frozen yogurt, treats, and related products and services for dine-in consumption and take-out service. Red Mango is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
44. Premier Martial Arts
Number of U.S. Locations: 69 (2019)
Year Founded: 2018
Starting Investment Amount: $150,000
Premier Martial Arts provides martial arts classes for adults and other related services. Premier Martial Arts is a franchise concept in the Fitness Centers industry.
45. Coffee Beanery
Number of U.S. Locations: 58 (2019)
Year Founded: 1976
Starting Investment Amount: $260,000
Coffee Beanery sells coffee, including espresso-based beverages, coffee beans, tea, salads, spices, sandwiches, baked goods, and more. Coffee Beanery is a franchise concept in the Retail Products and Services industry.
46. Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken
Number of U.S. Locations: 43 (2021)
Year Founded: 1987
Starting Investment Amount: N/A
Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken sells South African style chicken marinated in a special peri peri sauce. Nando’s is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
47. Frutta Bowls
Number of U.S. Locations: 34
Year Founded: 2016
Starting Investment Amount: $163,000
Frutta Bowls is a casual eatery that sells “superfood” and other related healthy food items in a bowl style. Frutta Bowls is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.
48. Digital Doc
Number of U.S. Locations: 33 (2017)
Year Founded: 2010
Starting Investment Amount: $128,000
Digital Doc provides phone and tech repair services. Digital Doc is a franchise in the Retail Products and Services industry.
49. Send Me a Trainer
Number of U.S. Locations: 15 (2021)
Year Founded: 2019
Starting Investment Amount: $49,000
Send Me a Trainer is a fitness concept that sells services through cutting-edge technology that allows them to provide personal fitness training from the home. Send Me A Trainer is a franchise concept in the Fitness Centers industry.
50. Cauldron Ice Cream
Number of U.S. Locations: 4
Year Founded: 2015
Starting Investment Amount: $269,100
Cauldron Ice Cream sells unique ice cream flavors and other related frozen dessert products. Cauldron Ice Cream is a franchise in the Food and Beverage industry.
