A common misconception is that most restaurant franchises specialize in fast food. But in fact, nothing could be farther from the truth. There are many restaurant franchise opportunities that provide their customers with high-quality food in a full-service dining format.

Variety is the backbone of the restaurant franchise industry. These days, there are restaurant franchises specializing in almost every cuisine you can imagine. From Mexican food to Asian fare, there is something for everyone in this fast-moving and growing industry.

Uno Chicago Grill is one of many success stories in restaurant franchising. In 1943, Ike Sewell opened a restaurant at the corner of Ohio and Wabash Streets in Chicago. At the time, pizza was considered a snack food. But Ike believed that by combining some of Italy's old, authentic recipes with impressive quantities of the finest meats, fresh cheeses, ripe vegetables and flavorful spices, pizza could become a hearty meal. In doing so, he redefined pizza and started what would become an American tradition: the Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. Today, Ike’s business has occupies an established place in the $20 billion a year casual dining segment of the restaurant industry.

As a potential franchisee, it’s important to be passionate about your business. To find the restaurant franchise that is right for you, start by examining the kinds of cuisines and restaurant formats you like and go from there. The sky’s the limit!

Points to Consider

• Restaurant ownership isn’t for everyone. It takes a special kind of business owner to succeed in food service. To get the facts about what it takes to succeed in the restaurant franchising industry, talk to people who have been there – current restaurant and restaurant franchise owners. These people will provide you with a wealth of valuable information, information you need to determine whether or not the restaurant business is right for you.
• In many ways, the restaurant industry is a combination retail and service industry. Restaurants provide their customers with a product (food), but they also offer them a service (the dining experience). Make sure your franchise can effectively deliver high-quality menu items and an enjoyable dining experience because in today’s competitive climate you’ll need both of them to succeed.

Franchise Opportunities

• Uno Chicago Grill. Uno’s offers diners their trademark, Chicago-style pizza as well as a number of other Italian and American cuisine menu items. Founded in 1943, the company currently has over 200 locations located almost exclusively in the U.S.
• Perkins Restaurant & Bakery. Known for its breakfast menu, Perkins now offers a full menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as bakery items. In 2005, Perkins reported nearly 500 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
• Long John Silver’s. Although seafood items still form the company’s core, this Treasure Island-themed franchise as expanded its menu to include chicken, sandwiches, salads, and desserts. In addition to its 700 company-owned locations, Long John Silver’s now has 500 U.S. franchises and 34 more in foreign countries.
• Fuddruckers. Its name isn’t the only thing that makes Fuddruckers stand out in the world of restaurant franchising. With a ‘50s and ‘60s rock ‘n’ roll theme, their restaurants serve freshly ground hamburgers from on-premise butcher shops and freshly baked goods from in-store bakeries. The company currently has almost 250 domestic and foreign locations.

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