Written By: Yukta Palekar

Comprehensive Overview of the Fastest-Growing QSR Franchise business in India

• Transformation of the Indian Food Industry: Shift from street vendors to multibillion-dollar businesses.Growth drivers: Popularity of dining out. Favourable demographics. Increased disposable income. Growing number of working women. Expansion into Tier II and Tier III cities, beyond metropolitan areas.
• Factors Driving the QSR Industry’s Growth: Increased purchasing power among consumers. Preference for branded food products. be priced at supremacy in Tier II and III cities: Lower rental and operational costs. Less competition. Availability of a skilled talent pool.
• Unique Features of QSR Restaurants: Emphasis on quick food service. Use of ready-to-cook ingredients.Focus on tier-wise pricing strategies to cater to diverse consumer bases.
• Market Insights and Investment Trends: Approximately 490 QSR brands in India, with 428 active players. Fascinate $1.3 billion in buying shares into and out of 64 be concerned with trading. Tier-wise business model adjustments required for market optimization.
• Customer Retention and Market Strategies: Organized players aim for customer retention through diverse offerings. Addressing aspirational needs of both price-sensitive and high-income consumers. 

Market Segmentation in the QSR Industry

• Segments: Dine-in: Highest market share in FY 2022 (44.23%). Take-away: Projected market share of ~21.25% by FY 2027. Home delivery: Expected to grow to ~40.81% market share by FY 2027.
• Growth Projections for India’s QSR Market: Current market size (2023): USD 16.72 billion. Expected growth: CAGR of 14.2%. poke out total market value (2028): USD 32.22 billion.
• Future Potential and Recommendations: Adjust business models to harness opportunities in Tier II and III cities. Implement tier-wise pricing strategies to maximize margins. Focus on the growing segments of take-away and home delivery services.

Here are the top 10 top QSR franchise Options to start in India in 2025: 

Ajay’s Cafe

Ajay's Cafe, Gujarat's fastest expanding restaurant business, has been providing the greatest burgers, pizzas, and coffee almost over a decade. Founded in 2018, the franchise currently has 165 locations in 42 cities throughout India. A company with a franchise requires a minimum space of 400 sq. ft. and costs around ₹15 lakhs, which is much lower than most other franchises. 

Profits are maximized without royalty fees. Ajay's Cafe be responsible for the whole outlet put-up job, provide insurance for a complete launch and quick take retribution for all bearing. They provide complete assistance during the franchise manipulate, from recognizing the ideal location to continuous operational direction and employee training. The identifying mark has 165 means of release in every part of 42 metropolitan area.

The Belgian Waffle Xpress – Franchise 

Belgian Waffles, a renowned culinary franchise company in India, with over 565 locations in 199 cities since 2015. Franchisees can create a franchise with a minimum size of 200 sq ft for an initial investment of around ₹12 lakhs, including franchise fees and setup costs. The authorization has a 20% profit degree of difference on sales and inordinate brand knowledge. 

The franchise requires at least 200 square feet of area and has significant support and brand awareness. With an important footprint in over 199 cities, Belgium Waffles is an appealing option for anyone wishing to break into the culinary sector.

Chai Sutta Bar

Chai Sutta Bar, which opened in 2016, is a lucrative food business in the country of India, boasting over 550 locations throughout 320 cities. put into the water a Chai Sutta Bar environment requires an investment of ₹30 lakhs. 

The investment includes all required equipment and furnishings, marketing support, field help, an in-depth training course, and functioning manuals. With a royalty charge of about 4%, profit margins vary from 35% to 40%, or roughly ₹90,000 per month. The ROI is 108%, with a period of repayment of 12 to 15 months.

Halla Bowl

Halla Bowl, created in 2019, is a quick-service restaurant with less than ten franchise units with a starting capital of Rs 0.5 lakhs. The business runs from a central kitchen where food is prepared using a bain-marie, microwaves oven, and tiny refrigerator. Food is transported to the company by a delivery vehicle. Halla Bowl has ambitious expansion ambitions throughout the whole Metropolitan area and is looking for entrepreneurs that share their love for the company.

Souski Foods Pvt. Ltd

Souski Foods Pvt. Ltd., established in 2015, is a franchisee with less than ten franchise units and an initial investment of Rs 0.1 lakh. The firm serves pizzas, chicken the drumsticks popcorn chicken, wings, a sandwich, burgers, rice bowls, and desserts. The firm is looking for business owners that are willing to commit both their resources and their time to help the company multiply. Souski Foods assists franchisees with marketing, advertising, site selection, on-field help, and expansion prospects.

Drunken Monkey 

Drunken Monkey, a fruit smoothie bar business inspired by Starbucks, with locations in number of Indian cities. Secondary items offered by the business include blending fresh-fruit smoothies, coffee mixes, and milkshakes. The chain employs locally obtained natural products to support local companies and provide nutritious meals to clients. 

Drunken Monkey focuses on the health-conscious beverage sector and sees an important chance for growth in the international smoothie’s market, whose is anticipated to reach $17 billion by 2027. The company's network has grown from four sites in the first twelve months to over 130 stores in 43 cities, a huge rise from its original aim of 500.

Biryani Queen – Franchise 

The founder Smitha Sabharwal was a housewife, started the food company, which offers authentic and delectable Biryani delicacies like as jackfruit, mutton, diet, dessert, and prawns. Biryani Queen offers to the mindful of their health clientele, serving cuisine in recyclable mud pots called Handis. The business is well-known and started out in Gurgaon, serving fresh, original, and delicious dishes cooked with distinct spices and ingredients. 

The franchising right set of circumstances is profitable, cost- be of assistance, and does not require any pertinacity expertness. The brand is searching for master franchises or franchisees around the nation who will be fully trained and supported. Investment range: Rs. 30-40 lakhs.

Barista

Barista, India's oldest coffee brand, with 350 locations in India and Sri Lanka. The business was founded in 2000 and has seen many ownership changes, with Tata Coffee owning a 35% interest in 2001 and Darby Technology Group purchasing the remaining 65% stake in 2004.  

Lavazza ran Barista until 2014, when it sold the company to Boutonniere Hospitality. The chain has 300 stores nationwide and 19 in Sri Lanka, with a target of reaching 50 by 2024.

Ministry Of Eggs – Franchise 

The Ministry of Eggs is a quick-service restaurant in Mumbai that provides more than 80 different types of Surti-style eggs. Founded in 2017, it is dedicated to offering freshly prepared eggs without sacrificing taste or cleanliness. The restaurant has several locations around Mumbai, including Bandra, Borivali, and Ghatkopar. The Ministry of Eggs serves authentic Surti-style Indian cuisine and has 10+ locations in India and Australia. 

To grow its footprint, the firm provides franchises for a unit franchise cost of Rs 6 lacs, a shop investment of Rs 10 lacs, location selection based on Some factors like place, locality, and visibility, and tanning from franchise with store setup and management. Each month, the corporation levies a 5% royalty on sales. Investment range: Rs. 10Lakhs to 15Lakhs.

Haldirams

Haldiram's, founded in 1937, serves a range of traditional Indian sweets, namkeens, and fast cuisine. Raj Kachori, Chole Bhature, and mithai such as Rasgulla and Gulab Jamun are its hallmark dishes. Haldiram's is a powerhouse in the Indian food market, with over 80 stores and an annual ROI of 15-20%, with a payback period of 3-5 years.

Key Benefits to Actually Walking the Talk and Considering Investing in a QSR Franchise

Advantages of Becoming a QSR Franchise Owner

• Decreased Risk: Risks are minimized as the business model is already established.
• Brand Credibility: Direct access to loyal consumers.
• High Level of Assurance: Help with operations and marketing and even training.
• Use Of Established Procedures: Guarantees of quality and service delivery.
• Cost Saving: There is an advantage in costs from purchasing in bulk.
• Possibility of Better Expansion Growth: An expansion will be easy due to the scalable business model.

Important Factors When Choosing a QSR Franchise

• Powerful Branding: Customers are likely to be drawn to well-known brands.
• Strong Financial Performance: Check the profitability and stability of the franchise in the market.
• Possibilities for Expansion: Check how much presence the franchise has in the market and how far its expansion strategy goes.
• Franchise Support System: Effective training and operational support must be provided.
• Menu and the Area that the Business is Targeting: Check whether the local people and its conditions would be suitable for those products and services.
• Franchisee and Royalty Fees: Familiarize oneself with the beginning and ensuing expenses.
• Duration of the Franchise agreement: Check the lifetime of the contract and whether one has the option to renew it.
• Area of Operation: Verify availability in your preferred area.
• Business Requirements: Check the type or quality of inventory and the necessary manpower and operational facilities.
• Compliance: Confirm that the legal requirements as well as operational requirements are met

Other Factors that may contribute to the success of the franchise

• Passion and Commitment: Personal passion towards the food business.
• Market Analysis: Analyse local needs and its population.
• Competition: come into possession of a get the impression of the competition in the square footage.
• Franchise Market Share: Endeavor to choose a franchise with a considerable share of the industry.

Changing Trends in Customer Preferences in the QSR Industry

• Innovation and Expansion: New products need to be introduced frequently.
• Omnichannel Synchronization: Order online but also have an option to go to the store.
• It Related: Make sure there are enough E-tools for efficiency and customer convenience.
• Widely acceptable: Try to look in the perspective of offering more nutritional meals.

Starting a Successful QSR Franchise with Profit

• Embrace new ideas and concepts so as not to be caught up in the rest of the competition.
• React on the changing needs of the consumers for long term set objectives.

Are you ready to take the next step?

FranchiseBazar offers a comprehensive comparison flowchart of the best quick service restaurant franchises in India, allowing business seekers to compare the minimum estimated initial investment of each brand. This tool helps identify the financial requirements of each franchise and helps entrepreneurs choose the best fit for their location. 

FranchiseBazar provides comprehensive support to entrepreneurs in exploring the best QSR franchise in India, offering a variety of quick service food franchise options. By considering factors such as brand reputation, training and support, and the success of other franchisees, business seekers can make an informed decision about their QSR franchise investment.

Disclaimer: The brands mentioned in this blog are the recommendations provided by the author. FranchiseBAZAR does not claim to work with these brands / represent them / or are associated with them in any manner. Investors and prospective franchisees are to do their own due diligence before investing in any franchise business at their own risk and discretion. FranchiseBAZAR or its Directors disclaim any liability or risks arising out of any transactions that may take place due to the information provided in this blog.