Top 50 Franchises that Are NOT Available for E2 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.