Written By: Yukta Palekar

Investing in a food franchise has become one of the most practical ways for Indian entrepreneurs to enter the business world without starting from scratch. But the real question most investors ask FranchiseBazar consultants is simple and honest: Which food franchises under ₹30 lakhs actually make money in India?

With rising rentals, labour costs, and competition, not every food brand that looks attractive on paper delivers real profits on the ground. The good news? Several food franchise under ₹30 lakhs models continue to perform exceptionally well—provided the format, location, and execution are right.

This in-depth guide is written in FranchiseBazar’s consultative, investor-first style to help you understand what really works, what doesn’t, and how to choose a food franchise that generates sustainable returns.

Why Food Franchises Under ₹30 Lakhs Are in High Demand

The Indian food service industry is expanding rapidly, driven by urbanisation, rising disposable incomes, and a growing habit of eating out and ordering in. However, large-format restaurants now require heavy capital and longer gestation periods. This is where food franchises under ₹30 lakhs step in.

Key reasons investors prefer this segment:

• Lower entry barrier compared to full-scale restaurants
• Faster break-even timelines
• Flexible formats like kiosks and cloud kitchens
• Strong support from established brands
• Easier scalability to multiple outlets

For first-time entrepreneurs and working professionals alike, this investment bracket offers the right balance between risk and reward.

The Reality Check: Not Every Food Franchise Is Profitable

One of the biggest misconceptions is that every franchise guarantees profits. In reality, profitability depends on unit economics, not brand popularity alone.

At FranchiseBazar, we evaluate food franchises on:

• Gross margins
• Fixed vs variable costs
• Average order value (AOV)
• Daily order volume
• Rent-to-revenue ratio
• Delivery platform performance

Only those brands that clear these benchmarks consistently are recommended to serious investors.

Food Franchise Formats That Perform Best Under ₹30 Lakhs

Before discussing brand names, it’s important to understand which formats actually make money.

1. Cloud Kitchen / Delivery-First Models

• Investment: ₹10–25 lakhs
• Space: 300–600 sq. ft.
• Why profitable:
  • No dine-in cost
  • Lower staff requirement
  • High delivery demand

Cloud kitchens are currently one of the most profitable food franchise formats, especially in metro and Tier 1 cities.

2. Kiosk & QSR Formats

• Investment: ₹8–20 lakhs
• Space: 100–300 sq. ft.
• Why profitable:
  • Low rent
  • High impulse sales
  • Simple menu

3. Small Dine-in + Delivery Hybrid

• Investment: ₹20–30 lakhs
• Space: 600–1,200 sq. ft.
• Why profitable:
  • Multiple revenue channels
  • Higher brand visibility

Food Franchises Under ₹30 Lakhs That Actually Make Money

Below are categories and brands that consistently show healthy unit economics across India.

1. Biryani & Rice Bowl Brands (Delivery Powerhouses)

Investment Range: ₹15–30 lakhs

Biryani remains one of the most ordered food items on Swiggy and Zomato. Delivery-focused biryani brands benefit from high repeat orders and premium pricing.

Why they make money:

• High average order value
• Centralised recipes
• Strong brand recall
• Excellent delivery margins

These brands work best as cloud kitchens or compact outlets in dense residential areas.

2. Momo, Rolls & Wraps Franchises

Investment Range: ₹10–25 lakhs

Quick-bite formats like momos and rolls thrive in India due to affordability and youth appeal.

Profit drivers:

• Low raw material cost
• Fast preparation
• High table turnover or delivery volume
• Minimal kitchen complexity

These franchises perform exceptionally well near colleges, IT hubs, and high-footfall streets.

3. Chai & Snack Cafés

Investment Range: ₹8–20 lakhs

Tea-based franchises have emerged as one of the safest bets in the food franchise under ₹30 lakhs category.

Why chai concepts work:

• Evergreen demand
• Extremely low food cost
• Strong repeat customers
• Works in Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities

Margins are healthy when rent and wastage are controlled.

4. Pizza & Burger QSR (Value Formats)

Investment Range: ₹20–30 lakhs

While premium international brands are expensive, Indian value-driven pizza and burger franchises offer solid ROI.

Success factors:

• Delivery-friendly menu
• Combo pricing
• Optimised kitchen layout

These outlets perform best in residential catchments with strong delivery demand.

5. Dessert, Ice Cream & Beverage Brands

Investment Range: ₹5–20 lakhs

Dessert kiosks and beverage-led franchises offer high gross margins and quick service.

Why investors like them:

• Low manpower
• Simple operations
• Strong impulse buying

Seasonality exists, but annual profitability remains strong in good locations.

Best Food Franchise Under ₹30 Lakhs That Actually Work in India

Baap of Rolls

• Baap of Rolls is a prominent fast-food QSR chain in India, founded in 2020.
• Specializes in customized Kathi rolls, momos, fries, beverages, shawarma rolls, and desserts.
• Operates over 32 outlets nationwide, with significant locations in Delhi, Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Roorkee.
• Franchise investment details include: - Investment range: ₹17–20 lakhs - Franchise fee: ₹8,26,000 (including 18% GST) - Area required: Approximately 200 sq. ft. - Royalty fees: 0%

Baskin Robbins

• Baskin Robbins is a leading ice cream company, established in 1945 in California.
• It is known for its extensive variety of premium dessert flavors.
• The brand entered the Indian market in 1993, with over 800 outlets in India and worldwide.
• It presents a profitable investment opportunity in the dessert sector due to unique flavors, ice cream cakes, and sundaes.
• Franchise investment details include: - Total Investment: ₹20–30 lakhs - Franchise Fee: ₹5–10 lakhs - Royalty Fees: 4–6% of sales - Area Required: 200–400 sq. ft.

Burger Singh

• Founded by Kabir Jeet Singh in 2014.
• Provides a menu with burgers, momos, dips, desserts, beverages, and unique sauces and toppings.
• Operates over 175 outlets in India, making it the largest QSR chain in the country.
• Franchise investment details include: - Total investment ranging from ₹30 to 50 lakhs. - Franchise fee between ₹10 to 15 lakhs. - Royalty fees of 4 to 8% of sales. - Required space of 250 to 800 square feet.

Android Robo

• Android Robo is an EdTech company focused on Robotics, AI, Coding, IoT, Drones, and Aviation, founded by Vinodhan Ka and Susheel Kumar.
• The company aims to equip students with practical skills relevant to advancing technologies through a STEM-based curriculum that spans from basic to advanced levels.
• Courses offered include Robotics, AI, Python, Coding, 3D Printing, Drones, and Aviation, delivered via a hands-on learning model in collaboration with schools.
• The vision is to empower the next generation by fostering innovation, creativity, and curiosity through advanced technology skills and a strong foundation in STEAM education.
• Franchise opportunities are available, with investment ranging from Rs. 1.5 Lakhs to 6 Lakhs, providing marketing materials, training, and support.
• The revenue potential is significant, with an average billing of Rs. 5 Lakhs per school, leading to potential turnover exceeding Rs. 30 Lakhs with 6 school tie-ups.

City-Wise Profitability: Where These Food Franchises Work Best

Metro Cities (Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Pune)

• Cloud kitchens and delivery brands outperform
• Higher rentals but higher order volume

Tier 2 Cities (Indore, Bhopal, Jaipur, Kochi)

• Chai, QSR, and dessert brands do well
• Lower costs improve margins

Tier 3 Cities

• Kiosk models and tea/snack franchises are safer
• Focus on affordability and visibility

Location Checklist: Where Food Franchises Actually Work

No matter how strong the brand is, location remains the single biggest profit driver for any food franchise under ₹30 lakhs. At FranchiseBazar, we’ve seen profitable outlets fail due to poor site selection—and average brands succeed because the location was right.

Use this checklist to evaluate whether a location can realistically generate consistent revenue.

✅ 1. High-Density Catchment Area

A profitable food franchise needs a dense, active audience within a 2–4 km radius.

Look for:

• Residential apartments & gated communities
• PG accommodations & hostels
• Office parks, IT hubs, or co-working spaces

📌 Why it matters: More people nearby = higher walk-ins and delivery orders.

✅ 2. Strong Delivery Radius (Especially for Cloud Kitchens)

For delivery-first models, the surrounding demand is more important than road visibility.

Check:

• Order volume on Swiggy & Zomato in the area
• Number of competing food brands nearby
• Average delivery time within 3–5 km

📌 Why it matters: A high-demand delivery zone can outperform a premium high-street location.

✅ 3. Rent-to-Revenue Ratio Below 10–12%

One of the most common profit killers is high rent.

Ideal benchmark:

• Monthly rent should not exceed 10–12% of expected monthly revenue

📌 Why it matters: Controlled fixed costs improve margins and speed up break-even.

✅ 4. Visibility & Accessibility (For Walk-In Formats)

For kiosks and dine-in outlets:

• Clear storefront visibility
• Easy entry/exit
• No obstruction from vendors or parked vehicles

📌 Why it matters: Poor visibility directly impacts impulse purchases and footfall.

✅ 5. Right Footfall, Not Just Heavy Footfall

High footfall doesn’t always mean high sales.

Prefer locations with:

• Target customers (students, office-goers, families)
• Food-buying intent (markets, malls, food clusters)

📌 Why it matters: The right audience converts better than random crowds.

✅ 6. Competition Mapping (Healthy, Not Saturated)

Some competition is good—it proves demand.

Avoid:

• Clusters with 10+ similar brands
• Price wars in the same cuisine

📌 Why it matters: Over-saturation reduces pricing power and profitability.

✅ 7. Adequate Infrastructure & Licenses

Ensure the site supports:

• Commercial electricity load
• Proper ventilation & exhaust
• Water supply & drainage
• FSSAI, fire, and local permissions

📌 Why it matters: Infrastructure issues delay launch and increase setup costs.

✅ 8. Parking & Delivery Rider Access

Often ignored, but crucial:

• Easy two-wheeler access for delivery partners
• Short pickup time for riders

📌 Why it matters: Faster pickups improve delivery ratings and order volumes.

✅ 9. Expansion Potential

Think beyond outlet #1.

Check:

• Possibility to add another unit in the same zone
• Nearby under-served residential pockets

📌 Why it matters: Multi-unit expansion improves long-term ROI.

Cost Breakup: Where Your ₹30 Lakhs Goes

A typical food franchise investment includes:

• Franchise fee
• Interior & branding
• Kitchen equipment
• Licenses & approvals
• Initial raw material
• Staff training
• Working capital

Smart investors always keep at least 3–4 months of working capital aside.

How Long Does It Take to Break Even?

Break-even depends heavily on location selection and operational discipline.

Common Mistakes Investors Make

• Choosing brand over location
• Underestimating rent impact
• Ignoring delivery commissions
• Poor staff management
• Not following SOPs

Franchise success is execution-driven, not luck-driven.

Why FranchiseBazar Recommends Consultative Franchise Selection

At FranchiseBazar, we don’t push brands—we match investors with viable business models.

Our approach includes:

• ROI-based franchise shortlisting
• City & location feasibility
• Investment-to-return analysis
• Brand credibility verification
• End-to-end franchise support

This is why thousands of investors trust FranchiseBazar when exploring food franchises under ₹30 lakhs.

FAQs: Food Franchise Under ₹30 Lakhs

Q1. Is ₹30 lakhs enough to start a profitable food franchise in India? Yes, if the right format and location are chosen.

Q2. Which food franchise is safest for first-time investors? Chai, cloud kitchens, and QSR kiosks are safest.

Q3. Are cloud kitchens more profitable than dine-in restaurants? In most urban markets, yes.

Q4. How much monthly profit can I expect? ₹1–3 lakhs per month, depending on model and execution.

Conclusion: Choosing a Food Franchise That Truly Makes Money

A food franchise under ₹30 lakhs can absolutely be profitable in India—but only when chosen with clarity, data, and expert guidance. Brands with delivery strength, low overheads, simple menus, and strong operational systems consistently outperform traditional restaurant models.

Instead of chasing hype, focus on unit economics, location feasibility, and long-term scalability. With the right guidance and disciplined execution, your food franchise can evolve from a single outlet into a sustainable, income-generating business.

If you’re serious about investing, FranchiseBazar can help you identify food franchises under ₹30 lakhs that actually make money—based on your city, budget, and business goals.

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.