Have you noticed how much increased concern about healthy food? And how much popular become Asian cuisine? It is not a coincidence. Asian food is a healthier alternative to traditional fast-food. Better than this is that it is very diverse. It includes Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Korean, and other cuisines. That means your restaurant can offer from sushi and bowls to soups or even all of it.
But there is a trick: the food must be authentic, or it won't work. And in this case, franchises are the best way to get into the industry. Most franchises are founded by Asian immigrants or their descendants, who have unique recipes and know-how to make it right.
Last but not least reason to open an Asian restaurant: it is one of the fastest-growing food categories.
To make it easier for you to find the franchise that fits you, we've compiled a list of the top 30 franchises in the industry.
1. Panda Express
- Founded: 1983
- Franchising since:
- Initial investment: $377,100 – $1,884,000
- Initial franchise fee: $25,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 8%
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $60,000
Panda Express is one of the leaders in Asian dining restaurants. The first restaurant was opened in 1983 by the Cherng family in Glendale, California. The franchise specializes in Chinese cuisine, and everyone who tried their food remains loyal. Moreover, the company is concerned about sustainability. For example, they try to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible and use compostable packaging.
2. Manchu Wok
- Founded: 1981
- Franchising since:1989
- Initial investment: $396,100 – $589,800
- Initial franchise fee: $30,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 7%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $3,500,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $100,000
Manchu Wok was founded in Canada. Now they are one of the biggest Chinese Quick Service Restaurant franchise networks in North America and expanding throughout the U.S. From the first restaurant that was opened in a mall concept, the franchise develops in a niche of non-traditional markets like universities, hospitals, airports. Now the company has several options of business concepts.
3. Teriyaki Madness
- Founded: 2003
- Franchising since: 2015
- Initial investment: $270,699 – $596,850
- Initial franchise fee: $45,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 6%
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $100,000
Teriyaki Madness is all about Japanese food. All menu items are prepared from fresh, high-quality ingredients and made-to-order, and, obviously, the key is teriyaki.
The franchise restaurants can be located in different real estate objects (primarily from 1,600 to 2,000 sq. f). The candidate’s experience in the food industry will be an advantage, but not necessary.
4. Thai Express
- Founded: 2004
- Franchising since: 2004
- Initial investment: $330,400 – $731,700
- Initial franchise fee: $30,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 6%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $350,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $150,000
Thai Express is here to satisfy the demand for authentic Thai cuisine. The franchise offers hundreds of options for healthy, delicious food, and not less importantly, most of them can be prepared for 2 minutes from order! Isn’t that great? Customers get their food fast, the restaurants can serve more guests. The franchisor has options for both freestanding buildings and food courts and in-line.
5. Gyu-Kaku
- Founded: 1996
- Franchising since:1997
- Initial investment: $1,260,000 – $1,550,000
- Initial franchise fee: $50,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 5%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $1,000,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $500,000
Franchise Gyu-Kaku started in the 1990s in Japan, so you can’t doubt its authenticity. The franchise restaurants have unique concepts where guests are the chefs: most of the menu items are delivered raw to the table, and then guests cook them on the specially designed in-table roasters. The concept, menu, and authenticity make that franchise second-to-none.
6. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
- Founded: 1976
- Franchising since:1991
- Initial investment: $133,700 – $527,000
- Initial franchise fee: $30,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 4%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $500,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $300,000
The franchise brings the taste of Hawaiian islands to your neighborhood. The restaurants serve traditional Hawaiian food – Plate lunch. The dish itself has a long history and has roots in various Asian and European cuisines, which explains why it is so tasteful. In the early days, it was a successful network of drive-in restaurants. Nowadays, the stores are 1,000 - 2,500 square feet, depending on the location.
7. Pokeworks
- Founded: 2015
- Franchising since: 2016
- Initial investment:$250,000 – $850,500
- Initial franchise fee:$35,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 6%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $250,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $100,000
Pokeworks has been a huge success since the opening: first customers stayed in line for 45 min to get their poke. The franchise restaurants meet requests for different types of food restrictionы: from gluten-free to raw protein diets. The company makes that Hawaiian-inspired dish using natural ingredients, but moreover, they use sustainable seafood.
The profitability of the franchise is proven by the fact that most of the franchisees are multi-unit owners.
8. HuHot
- Founded: 1999
- Franchising since: 2002
- Initial investment: $984,000 – $1,219,000
- Initial franchise fee: $40,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 5%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $1,000,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $300,000
HuHot is a Mongolian grill concept franchise. It sounds exotic as it tastes, and people love it! Thousands of followers on the internet and members of loyalty programs can easily prove that. Guests can choose ingredients for their stir fry. Mainly it's made from noodles, meat or fish, and vegetables. Then the grill master cooks it in front of them. The franchisor gives preference to candidates with management experience, but it is not required.
9. LemonShark Poké
- Founded: 2016
- Franchising since: 2017
- Initial investment: $235,000 – $475,000
- Initial franchise fee: $35,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 3-6%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $1,200,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $700,000
The franchise was inspired by the love of its two founders for Hawaiian cuisine. And they decided that the population of the mainland must try it too. With the help of the Hawaiian-native chef, they created an authentic menu for LemonShark Poke. The franchise restaurant must be located in a densely populated urban or suburban area. The standard site location is 1,500 to 2,500 sq.f., but other options are negotiable.
10. Pho Hoa
- Founded: 1983
- Franchising since:1992
- Initial investment: $158,000 – $295,850
- Initial franchise fee: $20,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: $2,000-$3,200 per month
- Net-Worth Requirement: $200,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $80,000
This is an international franchise that specializes in Vietnamese soups. Besides, Pho Hoa offers side dishes like rice, fried rolls. They have kids portions too. The future franchisees must have experience in foodservice and management. The franchisor has different options that can adapt to available locations.
11. Keo Asian Cuisine
- Founded: 2007
- Franchising since:2017
- Initial investment: $221,000 – $425,000
- Initial franchise fee:$25,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 6%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $250,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $80,000
Keo franchise offers a wide range of menu items inspired by cuisines of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Vietnam. When cooking, they use authentic Asian ingredients, and the recipes are easy to follow. But the thing that truly distinguishes them is the full-service restaurant that has an ultramodern interior.
12. Komotodo Sushi Burrito
- Founded: 2014
- Franchising since:2017
- Initial investment: $167,650 – $438,500
- Initial franchise fee: $30,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 5%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $400,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $100,000
The idea of the concept appeared when Alonzo, the founder, saw a restaurant that served big sushi rolls while he traveled in Asia. Combining that with a love for burritos, he started Komotodo Sushi Burrito. The franchise stores offer sushi burritos, salads and poke bowls, desserts. The franchise is in its early days, so don't miss the opportunity to be one of the first who gets into that thrilling concept of food.
13. Sushifork
- Initial investment: $192,000 -$388,000
- Initial franchise fee: $32,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $100,000
Greg Bossler, a classically-trained sushi chef, wasn’t happy about the fact that the sushi market represented only supermarket sushi or full-service restaurants. He decided to give back the right of choice to the customers. SushiFork restaurants offer a wide range of sushi from traditional roll to custom made.
No worries, the franchisor has a system and guidelines that let it provide high-quality sushi all the time.
14. Go! Go! Curry!
- Founded: 2006
- Franchising since: 2018
- Initial investment: $366,780 - $777,300
- Initial franchise fee: $25,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 6%
- Ad royalty fee: 2%
Go! Go! CURRY! brings famous Japanese Curry right from Kanazawa-city where it originates. After building a franchise chain in Japan, the company decided to expand into the U.S. and opened its first restaurants in New York City. The franchisor has a simple and efficient kitchen operation system that does not require cooking knowledge from future franchisees.
15. Tin Drum
- Founded: 2003
- Franchising since: 2003
- Initial investment: $296,000 – $495,000
- Initial franchise fee: $25,000
- Net-Worth Requirement: $500,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $150,000
Tin Drum is a mixture of various dishes from different parts of Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, and China. The franchise restaurants have an open theatre-style kitchen. The franchise was inspired by the streets of Hong Kong, and those vibes fill the atmosphere of restaurants. The franchisor provides all necessary training programs and ongoing support.
16. Samurai Sam's Teriyaki Grill
- Founded: 1994
- Franchising since:1995
- Initial investment: $106,260 – $432,050
- Initial franchise fee: $7,500 - $30,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 6%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $250,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $75,000
Samurai Sam's Teriyaki Grill is Japanese quick-service franchise that opened 27 years ago in Arizona. The franchise is known for their teriyaki grill that they offer with special teriyaki sauce. They also serve salads, rice & yakisoba bowls, grilled egg rolls, and other. The franchisor has two types of facilities: traditional (free standing building /street front location) and nonstandard (restaurant located in a non-traditional market.)
17. Pei Wei Asian Diner
- Founded: 2000
- Franchising since: 2001
- Initial investment: $100,000
Pei Wei Asian Kitchen, formerly known as Pei Wei Asian Diner, is a fast-casual Pan Asian food franchise. The menu is very diverse, so it can fit even the most demanding guests. The recipes developed by expert chefs, all food is house-made from fresh products.
18. Pick Up Stix
- Founded: 1989
- Initial investment: $100,000
Pick Up Stix was opened in 1989 by Charlie Zhang. Being a Chinese immigrant, he decided to create a place with authentic Chinese food that can be served fast. He adapted traditional recipes by decreasing oils and adding vinegar and wine and got all that in an open-style kitchen. And that’s become Pick Up Stix, which is now so loved by guests.
19. Masti
- Initial investment: $600,000
- Initial franchise fee: $350,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $250,000
Masti offers original Indian street food. The franchise restaurants are decorated in a colorful and modern way. As a franchisor, the company provides entrepreneurs recipes and procedures that help franchisees to deliver true Indian cultural experience to customers.
20. Hissho Sushi & Craft Beer Bar
- Founded: 1998
- Franchising since: 2020
- Initial investment: $425,000 – $525,000
- Initial franchise fee: $20,000
- Net-Worth Requirement: $125,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $100,000
Hissho Sushi & Craft Beer Bar is a perfect combination of made-to-order sushi and local craft beers. The franchise restaurant is mostly located in non-traditional markets, like grocery stores, universities, hospitals, airports. The company implements culinary innovation and technology to strengthen your leadership in the industry.
21. Mahana
- Founded: 2017
- Franchising since: 2017
- Initial investment: $199,000 - $580,000
- Initial franchise fee: $49,500
- Ongoing royalty fee: 6.0%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $500,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $100,000
Mahana Fresh offers fresh, colorful, delicious, and healthy bowls and rolls. The franchise restaurants have a relaxed atmosphere suited for parties or making new friends. The company is in a partnership with a real estate firm that will help find a perfect spot. The franchisor provides different training programs adapted for beginners, as well as for experienced restaurateurs.
22. Yang's Braised Chicken Rice
- Founded: 2011
- Franchising since: 2018
- Initial investment: $311,500 – $538,500
- Initial franchise fee: $35,000
- Net-Worth Requirement: $350,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $100,000
The franchise restaurants concentrated on just one item on the menu - Yang's Braised Chicken Rice. The franchise first opened in 2011 in China, then expanded to Singapore, Japan, and Australia. Finally, in 2017 they opened their first restaurant in the U.S.
The brilliance of that concept is that it is easier to operate and less stuff required.
23. Genghis Grill
- Founded: 1998
- Franchising since: 2001
- Initial investment: $346,600 – $973,500
- Initial franchise fee: $35,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 5%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $1,000,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $500,000
Genghis Grill started as Mongolian barbecue restaurant, and now added new Koraen and Thai flavours to the menu. But the concept remained unchanged: guests choose whatever they want in their bowl from 80 ingredients, that then will be cooked on the grill. The franchisor team committed to guide their franchisees all the way and help to avoid difficulties and mistakes.
24. Teriyaki Experience
- Founded: 1986
- Franchising since:1987
- Initial investment: $235,000 – $491,500
- Initial franchise fee: $25,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 6%
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $100,000
The Teriyaki Experience franchise was founded in 1986 in Canada. Now it is a global franchise with over 110 locations. The franchise restaurants offer Japanese food with branded sauces that are freshly made in front of the customers.
The franchisor has options for different locations, starting with a small 500 square foot space to a 1,800 square foot space full-size location.
25. Yogis Grill
- Founded: 2005
- Franchising since: 2007
- Initial investment: $100,000 – $250,000
- Initial franchise fee: $40,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $100,000
Yogis Grill franchise is casual Japanese restaurants that serve a wide range of dishes, including sushi, tempura, and teriyaki. The main customers of the franchise are families and young adults, businessmen. The restaurants have tables and booths. The franchisor has 12 years of experience opening and running restaurants and ready to pass it to franchisees.
26. Pho87
- Founded: 1987
- Franchising since:2018
- Initial investment: $200,000 – $300,000
- Initial franchise fee: $37,000
The first restaurant of the franchise was opened in 1987 in Nevada. The restaurant offers famous Vietnamese soup - Pho. That's how the name Pho87 appeared.
The franchisor guarantees exclusive territory and ongoing support. The franchisee must have sales and customer service abilities.
27. Koi
- Founded: 2010
- Franchising since: 2010
- Initial investment: $187,468 – $461,600
- Initial franchise fee: $60,000
Koi Sushi Bar is a thriving franchise from Greece. The restaurant's concept is based on Japanese Cuisine, affordable prices, and modern interior. The franchisor has a successful system for franchisees restaurants that he is ready to bring to the international arena.
28. Yoshinoya
- Founded: 1899
- Franchising since:1900
- Initial investment: $550,000 – $1,400,000
- Initial franchise fee: $27,500
- Ongoing royalty fee: 4%
Yoshinoya is a legendary Japanese cuisine franchise with over 100 years of legacy. The company started in a fish market in Tokyo and now has more than 1,500 locations internationally. Since 1979, the franchise has been presented on the American market and has numerous fans here.
29. Time To Eat Delivery
- Founded: 2001
- Initial investment: $100,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $14,900
Time To Eat Delivery franchise is a great opportunity to bring food to the customers without cooking it. The franchise has three business branches: Grocery, Restaurant & Corporate Lunch Delivery.
The franchisor also has three packages that provide different options and cost different amounts of money.
30. SanSai Fresh Grill & Sushi Kitchen
- Founded: 2002
- Franchising since:2002
- Initial investment: $440,900 – $801,000
- Initial franchise fee: $35,000
- Ongoing royalty fee:5.5%
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $100,000
The franchise restaurants offer fresh, made to order sushi and grilled meat or fish. The company uses traditional Japanese ingredients and secret sauces in their food. All communications with franchisees are based on mutual respect and trust, because SanSai Fresh Grill & Sushi Kitchen it's a family.
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