10 Low-Cost Food Franchises

We all have to eat. And these days, people are looking to do it for less, so quality, low-cost options are all the rage. The same principle applies if you're looking to get yourself into a food business. And while a lot of these options have six-figure startup ceilings, consider the potential. Given that Subway was this year's top franchise choice, there's a good chance you'll make your money back--and then some.

In 2003, Sir Chocolate began as a one-man operation with only a single chocolate fountain. Since then, the company has expanded from a home based business into a combination warehouse, kitchen and office. The lone fountain has grown into a mobile chocolate fountain cart made for special events, a retail outlet and fondue gift baskets. Franchisees have three options for running their business: catering, retail and a retail-vending cart.

Flowers and candy have always gone together, but for Margaret McEntire, that combination created a business that now boasts storefront and home based franchises in 49 states and 44 countries. Candy Bouquet was born in a Little Rock, Ark., garage, where McEntire created arrangements using candies and chocolates in place of flowers. Now franchisees worldwide sell, ship and deliver the bouquets, which can also include cookies, balloons and stuffed animals.

His grandfather sold Italian candies and roasted peanuts from a vending cart at street fairs. His father sold Italian sausages from a street cart. When John Felico started Dominic’s of New York in 1995, it wasn’t too surprising he also chose to operate a food cart. Dominic’s sells Italian sausages and a variety of sandwiches at stores, malls and ballparks. Dominic’s of New York has a long-term contract with Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse to place kiosks at many of their locations nationwide.

In the kitchen of Footer’s Italian restaurant in Denver, the first Quizno’s recipes were born. The owners of Footer’s used the baguette-style bread, red-wine vinaigrette dressing and tuna salad created in their kitchen to establish their new venture, opening the first Quizno’s in Denver in 1981. Nearly 30 years later, Quizno’s has locations throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia using the original recipes from Footer’s kitchen. Restaurants also serve soups and salads.

Established in 1998, Scooter’s Coffeehouse has quickly distinguished itself as one of the premiere franchises in the exploding specialty coffee industry. Since it began franchising in 2001, the company has experienced rapid growth, with more than 70 locations now open or in development throughout the United States.

In 1976, Lois Margolet quit her full-time job, borrowed money and purchased a boarded-up building in Wilmington, Del., where the original Capriotti's Sandwich Shop still stands. The concept was to capture the hearts of "real turkey lovers," an idea that would separate Capriotti's Sandwich Shop from almost all of its competition. It served made-to-order sandwiches with fresh roasted pulled turkey, the best quality meats and cheeses, and fresh rolls and produce delivered daily. Today, Capriotti's Sandwich Shops located around the country are carrying on the tradition begun in Delaware more than 30 years ago.

New York NY Fresh Deli was founded in 2001 as a subsidiary of Uptown Restaurant Group Inc. When Uptown was sold in July 2002, the former president bought New York Subs (now New York NY Fresh Deli) believing that the company had a bright future. Since that day the company’s focus has been to offer the best New York Style hot subs in its restaurants that money can buy. There are New York Subs and New York NY Fresh Deli restaurants in multiple states as well as now being developed throughout the Middle East.

Dominic Francesco Repicci immigrated to America in 1911 from Messina, Italy. Along with his family, Dominic brought the old world recipe for Italian Ice. Dominic's grandson, Frank, is continuing the tradition of his Italian family. Frank opened the Chattanooga, Tenn., manufacturing plant in May 1998. This facility initially supplied the concessions for the Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Facility. In August 2005, Frank developed a franchise program to make Repicci's brand available throughout the United States. Repicci's now has franchisees in Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arizona, Georgia, California, Kentucky, Tennessee and Canada.

Michael Farrggio turned his childhood love for flavored ice into California Quivers in 1997. The drinks are sold in convenience stores, institutional cafeterias and other quick-serve outlets. The company also offers catering and concession services complete with funnel cakes, hot dogs and other food items to go along with its drinks.

Founded by Ronald, James and Judy Quinn in 1992, Purified Water To Go stores provide water and related products to customers across the United States. Each location sells purified water by the gallon, purified ice as well as related products like crocks and coolers, dispensers, bottles and shower filters.