A Franchise or Franchising is a marketing practice that involves the distribution of items or services. It is a common profitable marketing concept adopted by companies for business expansion, as compared to business expansion through chain stores.
A franchise involves two common entities:
A Franchisor could be an individual or a company that allows other individuals or businesses to open stores and sell products by using the franchisor's brand name and work ethic.
A Franchisee secures the right to open a franchise for the sale of goods and services directly to the consumers, and in return pays a monthly or annual fee to the franchisor.
In this guide, we ranked and reviewed the 17+ best franchise in india, along with our top 3 choices, so that you can pick the best one for you.
Benefits of a Franchise
The Franchise system favours both parties as it ensures a fair and faster business expansion as well as better customer service.
Some of the common benefits of a franchise business system include:
Plays a huge role in business expansion to different parts of the country.
Helps in massive job creation and economic development of a country
The risk factor is less for a franchisee body, as they already get a successful brand to work with.
The franchisees do not need to invest in training and quality departments, as they would receive the same pieces of training from the Franchisors.
The overall operating cost will be significantly lower and better customer footfall in the initial phases is expected due to the brand name.
Best Franchise in India
Want to jump straight to my top picks? My favorite franchise organizations in india is Domino’s and Patanjali.
1. Domino’s
For every pizza lover in India, Domino’s is always their first choice. Domino’s is a US based pizza retail chain that was established in 1960.
According to Statista, the brand value of dominos was estimated to reach over 12.3 billion USD in 2021.
Also, the company has a total of 18,848 outlets in 90 different countries. In India, the company is operated by Jubilant Foodworks Limited.
The basic requirements to lease or acquire a Domino’s franchise are- a minimum store size of 1500 sq feet or more and a minimum investment of INR 30 Lakhs.
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2. Patanjali
Patanjali is an Indian MNC based out of Haridwar, India. It was founded by famous Yoga Gurus, Swami Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna.
Over the years, it has become a popular household name. It was also the fastest-growing FMCG company in India
Starting with Ayurvedic products, the company is now involved in manufacturing food products, clothing, cosmetics, etc.
According to Statista, in 2022, the company generated total revenue of 99 billion INR.
By 2025, the company is expected to invest up to 10000 crores. The minimum amount required to open a Patanjali store is INR 1 Crore and a minimum area of 2000 square feet.
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3. KFC
Kentucky Fried Chicken is an American fast food retail chain founded on 24th September 1952 in Kentucky, USA.
As per Statista, the company has 27,000 restaurants worldwide and has a presence in 149 countries.
As the name suggests, the company is involved in customer service through its chain of restaurants that serves fried chicken and other non-veg products.
The company has a total revenue of 27.9 Billion USD and serves more than 12 million customers every day.
To kickstart a KFC franchise business in India, you would require an initial capital investment of INR 1 crore to 2 crores, and a property space of 1000 sq. ft to 1500 sq. ft.
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4. Lenskart
Lenskart is India’s leading E-commerce site for the purchase of eyewear, sunglasses, and optical lenses.
The company has a strong presence in Southeast Asia and has recently entered the US market.
Founded in 2010 by ex- Microsoft employee Piyush Bansal, the company boasts current revenue of over 4 billion USD.
The company has stores in over 1000 cities and profit soared by 4.6 times in FY21.
To open its franchise, the owner needs to have an outlet size of 300 to 500 square feet with a capital investment of 25 lakhs to 30 lakhs and an additional fee of around INR 2 lakhs.
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5. First Cry
First Cry is one of India’s biggest and most popular e-commerce stores for kid’s products based out of Pune, India.
Founded in 2010, its products range from newborns and children to kid's clothing, toys, and other related products.
The company sells 5,800 brands and has over 7.5 million registered customers and over 400 stores across India.
The company registered an INR 216 crore profit in FY21 and is expected to raise 700 million USD in IPO.
To acquire its outlet, the candidates need to possess an outlet of 1000 to 2000 square ft and an initial investment of 20 lakhs to 30 lakhs.
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6. Lakme
Lakme is a renowned Indian cosmetic brand founded in 1952 by JRD Tata and based out of Mumbai.
It is owned By Hindustan Unilever Limited and has a presence in more than 65 countries. The company has 485 salons and 65 lakh beauty parlors.
Lakme is currently valued at 17,000 crores.
Even though the company has reported a 19% decline in sales in FY21 due to covid, still it is a household brand and quite famous among the ladies.
To acquire a Lakme salon, the concerned party needs to have a property of a size 900 sq. ft and an initial investment of 50 to 60 lakhs.
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7. Amul
“The taste of India”, as they call it, Anand Milk Union Limited (Amul) is a leading dairy production society, based out of Anand, Gujarat.
Founded on 14 December 1946 by Mr. Varghese Kurien, the company is the largest producer of milk and milk products in India.
The company reported net revenue of INR 38,600 crores in FY20. As per the business today, the company is expecting an 18% growth in FY22 and would collect a net revenue of INR 46,000 crore.
To acquire a milk selling outlet, you would need a minimum deposit of INR 25,000 and INR 80,000 for land purchase.
To own an ice cream parlor, you will have to deposit INR 50,000 and INR 3 lakh for land purchase.
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8. Jockey
Jockey International Inc. is a renowned American producer and retailer of undergarments and sportswear brands that are associated with luxury.
The company was established in 1876 in Wisconsin, USA.
Jockey is a trademark registered company in more than 120 countries and has reported a global sale of 104.70 million USD in FY21.
Jockey has over 1000 stores in India and expects to reach 1 billion USD in the next fiscal year as its demand continues to surge in the Indian market.
To acquire its outlet, you need to invest an initial sum of INR 50 lakhs and an outlet space of 1000 sq. ft or above.
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9. Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut is an American MNC that was established in 1958 in Kansas, USA.
It is a renowned pizza serving company managed by its parent company, Yum! The company specializes in serving pasta, garlic bread, and other desserts.
The company has 18,381 restaurants worldwide, spread across 100 countries, and generated a revenue of 5.56 billion USD.
India is the second-fastest-growing market for Pizza hut.
To acquire its outlet, you would require an initial investment of INR 14 lakhs and a royalty fee of 6.5% on the overall profit.
The floor area of 1000 sq. ft to 1500 sq. ft is suitable to run its outlet.
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10. Subway
Subway too is a leading American MNC that is involved in serving nutritious sandwiches, salads, wraps, and other desserts—established on August 28, 1965, in Connecticut, USA.
On May 9, 2022, the number of subway restaurants worldwide was recorded at 36,840 and the company has its presence in more than 102 countries.
As of FY21, the company recorded a digital sale of 1.3 billion USD.
Currently, Subway has over 353 franchises in India. To acquire a franchise in India, you may require an investment of 25 lakhs to 30 lakhs and a 3.5% to 8% royalty fee, and a 170 sq. ft to 350 sq. ft of the outlet area.
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11. Gianis
Gianis is one of the leading North Indian ice cream outlets that was established in 1956 in Delhi.
They started with the traditional Rabri-Faluda, but in 1962, they went on to establish their own full-fledged Ice Cream business.
The company now has over 210 outlets, of which 40 of them are present in Delhi/NCR alone.
They recorded total revenue of INR 18 Crores in FY 19-20.
The Ice Cream market is set to grow by 17.3% from 2021 to 2026 in India. To acquire an outlet, you must have a property of at least 150 sq.
ft and an initial investment of 12 lakhs, and a security fee.
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12. InXpress
InXpress is the UK-based leading shipping company that was established in 1999 that provides courier and logistic services to its global clients.
Based in Rochdale, UK, they currently operate in 14 countries with over 440 worldwide franchises and have served around 30,000 customers.
In FY 21, the company recorded total revenue of 114.3 million USD. To date, the company has over 35 franchises across India.
To acquire an inxpress franchise in India, you need a total investment of 10 Lakhs and an initial working fee of INR 2 Lakhs, an outlet area of 200 sq. ft, and computer hardware items.
For more info about their company and franchise system, watch
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13. DTDC
Desk to Desk Courier and Cargo, commonly known as DTDC is a leading shipping company established in 1990 in Bangalore.
Renowned for its timely courier delivery service, both domestic and international, the company currently has over 430 operating offices across India.
The company has planned to raise INR 1,000 crores and looks to go public in near future. The total revenue in FY was recorded at INR 1388.95 crores.
To open a dtdc franchise, you would require minimal investment from INR 50,000 to INR 2 lakhs and an outlet area of 300 sq. ft to 450 sq. ft, and hardware systems such as computers, printers, and trained staff.
ft and an initial investment of 12 lakhs, and a security fee.
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14. Fabindia
Fabindia is a popular Indian retail outlet that sells affordable apparel, fabrics, and other ethnic products along with antique handicraft items.
The company was established in 1960 by an American entrepreneur John Bissel in 1960.
Even though the company’s revenue dropped by 20% to INR 1059 crores, the company desires to go global by selling its IPO.
The company currently has 309 retail outlets in India and 11 stores outside India.
To open a fabindia franchise, you need a minimum initial investment of INR 30 lakhs to 50 lakhs and a property area of 700 sq. ft to 1500 sq. ft, and a Return on Investment of 24% on sales.
For more information about their stores and products, watch
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15. Pepperfry
Pepperfry is a renowned and trusted Indian marketplace for furniture and other home decor products, having its headquarters in Mumbai.
Established in July 2011, the company has served over 6 million customer orders.
Pepperfry has its presence in over 20 cities and 60 outlets across India. The company is looking to open 20 more stores in Tier 2 cities.
For FY21, the company reported total revenue of INR 201.50 crores.
To acquire a Pepperfry franchise, you need an initial investment of INR 15 lakhs to 30 lakhs and a minimum space for the studio that ranges from 400 sq. ft. to 1050 sq. ft.
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16. Affinity Salon
The Affinity Salon and Spa is a leading Indian company that offers hair grooming and beauty treatment services, based out of Delhi.
Founded in 1992, the company currently has 32 salon outlets spread across the Delhi NCR region.
The salon chain is among the top 100 salon chains rankings in the world.
The company has an authorized capital of INR 4 crores and as the lockdown eases, it is expected to set up more franchises across the country.
To own an affinity salon franchise, you would require an initial investment of INR under 75 lakhs and a property size of 1200 sq. ft. to 2000 sq. ft.
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17. Looks Unisex Salon
Looks Unisex Salon is a popular salon retail chain that was established in January 1989 and has 162 outlets across India.
The company partners with various international brands such as L'oreal to provide various hair and beard grooming facilities, hair treatments, and skincare routines for both men and women.
The company has a share capital of INR 2 crores and growing at a fast pace ever since the covid restrictions were eased.
To acquire a Looks Unisex Salon franchise, you would require an initial investment of INR 1 crore to 1.5 crores and a property area of 250 sq. ft.
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18. Big Yellow Door
If you are a Delhiite, you must have heard about the Big Yellow Door.
Founded in 2014 in Delhi, the company offers tasty burgers, pasta, desserts, and other snacks and drinks.
Founded by a Delhi University student, the company boasts of serving different Italian-style cuisines that offer a unique taste.
The company is well under profit and is looking to expand beyond Delhi NCR.
If you wish to acquire a big yellow door franchise, all you need is a capital investment of INR 42 lakhs to 80 lakhs and a property area of 1000 sq. ft to 2000 sq. ft.
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19. Kathi Junction
Kathi Junction is a Dehradun-based popular eatery that serves delicious rolls and shawarmas.
Founded in 2009, the company has served over 14,000 rolls and over 4000 shawarmas to date.
Their secret spices and recipes have made them unique and popular all across India.
The company, even though have not reported its sales figures publicly, is rigorously expanding pan India due to the high market demand for its products.
To obtain its franchise, you would need an initial investment of INR 5 lakhs to 10 lakhs and a property area of 100 sq. ft to 1500 sq. ft, depending upon the type of eatery. For more details about their services,
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20. Bata
Bata is Multinational footwear manufacturing company, based in the Czech Republic.
The company was founded in August 1894 and is perhaps one of the most trusted footwear brands in India, due to the quality of its products.
The company has its presence in 70 countries. In FY21, the revenue of bata India breached INR 17 billion mark and is expected to grow at an even better rate.
To acquire a bata franchise, you would require an investment of INR 30 lakhs to 50 lakhs and a property area of 1000 sq. ft. to 2000 sq. ft, and a Return on Investment(ROI) of 45% on the sales. To know more about their products, watch
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21. Tanishq
Tanishq is a renowned Indian Jewellery company founded in 1994 and is based out of Bangalore.
Famous for its necklaces, pendants, and gold and diamond rings, the company has over 350 stores in more than 200 Indian cities.
Recently, the company opened its first jewelry showroom outside India, in Dubai,
UAE.
In FY22, the company recorded a 36% growth and revenue of INR 26,411 crore and is expected to grow even better as lockdown restrictions ease.
To open a Tanishq franchise, you would require a capital investment of under INR 5 crore and a property area of 2,000 sq. ft. to 5,000 sq. ft.
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22. Malabar Gold and Diamonds
Malabar Gold and Diamonds is a leading jewelry dealing company, based in Kozhikode, Kerala.
Established in 1993, the company deals in various pendants, gold coins, necklaces, pendants, etc.
At present, the company has over 285 showrooms in India and 10 other foreign countries, mainly in the Middle East and the USA.
In FY22, the company achieved a massive turnover of INR 30,000 crore.
The company is speculated to achieve a turnover of INR 45,000 crore in FY23.
To open a Malabar gold franchise, you would need an investment of less than INR 2 crore and a property area of 400 sq. ft to 1000 sq. ft. Watch
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23. Bajaj Auto
Bajaj Auto, founded by Mr. Jamnalal Bajaj, is one of the most popular and reliable automobile manufacturing companies in India.
Established on 29 November 1945, the company has three manufacturing plants in India.
In FY22, the company reported a net profit rise of 10%, which amounts to INR 14,469 crore. Due to chip shortage, its market is expected to drop by 10% in next FY23.
To avail of a Bajaj dealership, you would require a capital investment of INR 25 lakhs to 30 lakhs and a property size of 5000 sq. ft. to 6000 sq. ft.
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24. Hero Motocorp
Hero Motocorp, founded on 19 January 1984 by Late BL Munjal in Dharuhera, Haryana, is currently the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturing company.
The company has six manufacturing plants across India and two overseas plants, in Bangladesh and Colombia.
The company reported a total net income of around INR 314 billion in FY21 and expects a healthy 5% growth in sales in the next quarter.
To acquire a Hero Motocorp dealership, you would require an initial capital investment of INR 70 lakhs to 1 crore and a property size of approx.
4000 sq. ft, i.e, 2000 sq. ft for cashier services and 2000 sq. ft. for hardware storage.
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Conclusion
To conclude, we can confirm that the franchise system not only helps in developing the country’s economy but also helps in job creation. Besides, these companies also run various CSR program that aim at providing support to the backward and needy sections of society.
For a franchisee, this system not only helps in business development but also ensures high profits as they do not need high investments and the maintenance cost is minimal.
For a franchisor, the probability of failure is low and profit share is high, as the franchisee brands already have a better brand and market recognition. In this article we have covered best franchise in india.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Which franchise is the most profitable?
Taco Bell, the US-based fast food retail chain is the most popular franchise, as per the Franchise 500 list of 2021.
It is the fastest-growing, but also the costliest franchise with an initial franchise fee of $25,000 to $50,000 and has about 7,567 retail units worldwide.
Q2: Which franchise can I start with INR 20 lakhs?Kathi Junction?
A popular and profitable fast-food franchise based out of Dehradun, the franchise serves a vast variety of rolls and shawarmas that satisfies your hunger.
Gianis- A popular Ice cream retail chain that started its operation in Delhi, founded in 1956, the franchise serves a variety of Ice cream, shakes, and other desserts.
Q3: The best franchise in India under 5 lakhsAmul?
Anand Milk Union Limited, founded on 14 December 1946 by Verghese Kurien, is a cooperative milk brand managed by Gujarat Milk Federation Limited.
The company helped in bringing the White Revolution to India and helped in making the country the world’s largest milk-producing country.
Q4: List of Government Franchises?
- Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
- Amul
- Petroleum Franchises
- Liquor Franchises
- Ration Franchises
Here are my top franchise in india picks:
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