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.
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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.