How to open a profitable burger franchise in 5 easy steps

Opening a burger franchise is an attractive opportunity for entrepreneurs wishing to enter the fast-food business with a proven concept. But where to start? Choosing the right brand, assessing costs, digitizing your outlet... Each step is essential to ensure the success of your project. In this guide, you'll find the 5 key steps to opening a profitable and sustainable burger franchise.

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Why choose a burger franchise in 2025?

The burger has become a staple of the fast-food and premium segments. Its flexibility enables it to meet the expectations of a wide audience, whether for a quick meal or a more gourmet experience. In 2025, the trend continues unabated: demand for quality, customizable and eco-responsible burgers is growing strongly.

Key figures: the burger market in France

The burger market in France has impressive figures:

• 1.5 billion burgers consumed in 2023, up +16% on 2021, despite a slight drop compared to 2019. (Source : BFM TV)
• With a 52% market share, the burger dominates the fast-food sector. (Source: Snacking.fr)
• Sales in the sector grew by +12% in 2023, confirming its dynamism. (Source : Propulsebyca.fr)
• The 15 largest chains share 75% of total sales, demonstrating the high concentration of the market. (Source : Orcungroup.fr)

👉 Going further: 37 questions to ask yourself before launching a restaurant franchise

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Step 1: Study the market and choose the right franchise

Before taking the plunge, it's essential to analyze the burger market and determine which type of franchise best suits your project.

Understanding the specificities of the burger sector 

Not all burger franchises are created equal. Different franchises are positioned according to product quality, speed of service and customer experience:

• Fast-food outlets focus on speed and standardization, with affordable prices (e.g. McDonald's, Burger King).
• Premium burgers focus on higher-quality ingredients and a more upscale positioning (e.g. Five Guys, Shake Shack).
• Gourmet burgers are differentiated by artisanal recipes and extensive customization (e.g. Big Fernand, PNY).
• Local sourcing and eco-responsible packaging appeal to customers concerned about their environmental impact.

Consumers are increasingly looking for customizable burgers, adapted to their tastes and diets (vegan, gluten-free, organic).

Choosing the right burger franchise for your goals

The choice of franchise depends on your budget, your vision and your target audience. You can opt for :

1. A classic franchise, with a strong reputation and a proven model, but high costs and little flexibility (e.g. McDonald's, Quick).
2. Innovative franchises that stand out with differentiating concepts (organic, premium, customizable) and entry costs that are often more affordable.

👉 Further reading: Case study: 5 successful fast-food franchises

Essential criteria for the right choice

Before making a decision, it's important to evaluate several factors:

• Start-up costs and royalties: some franchises require a substantial initial investment.
• Guidance and support: training, marketing and management assistance are invaluable assets.
• Potential profitability: analyze the performance of existing franchisees.

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Step 2: Evaluate the specific costs of a burger franchise

Now it's time to plan the budget for opening your fast-food restaurant. Opening a franchise requires significant investment. Before committing yourself, it's crucial to anticipate the costs and plan for appropriate financing. Expenses vary according to franchise and location, but certain costs are unavoidable:

• Start-up costs: between €200,000 and €2 million, including brand rights, training and marketing support.
• Specialized equipment: professional grills, fryers, control terminals (KIOSK), kitchen screens (KDS).
• Fitting out the premises: adapting to the franchise's standards and visual identity, at an average cost of €500 to €2,000/m².

There are several ways to finance your burger franchise: bank loans, public grants, private investors, leasing or crowdfunding... 

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Step 3: Finding the ideal location for a burger restaurant

Location is a key factor in the success of a burger franchise. A strategic location guarantees regular customers and high sales volumes. Ideally, your restaurant should be :

• In a high-traffic area, such as a shopping mall, railway station or business district.
• On a busy road, for optimum visibility.
• Close to parking lots, to attract mobile customers.

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Step 4: Boost your profitability with digital solutions

Digital technology plays a major role in the management and development of burger franchises. Here are the solutions we recommend you invest in toenhance the customer experience and optimize outlet profitability : 

• Order terminals make it easier to take orders and reduce waiting times at the checkout.
• The touch-sensitive cash register lets you manage flows and cash in efficiently.
• Click-and-collect and online ordering boost sales by multiplying access to your restaurant and building customer loyalty.

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Step 5: Build customer loyalty to maximize the profitability of your burger franchise

Attracting customers is great. Keeping them is even better! A regular customer is more profitable than a new one.

Focus on customization

Offering customers the opportunity to personalize their burger (choice of bun, toppings, sauces) keeps them coming back. What's more, offering vegan, halal or gluten-free options attracts a varied customer base.

Creating a strong identity

Atmosphere and storytelling play an essential role in building customer loyalty. A well-defined concept, meticulous decor and effective communication on your commitments (organic, local, short distribution channels) strengthen customer loyalty.

Set up loyalty campaigns

• A digital loyalty program, with points and rewards via a mobile application.
• Limited offers, such as a "burger of the month" or promotions on combined menus.

By implementing these strategies, you can ensure the profitability and longevity of your burger franchise!

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Are you running a franchise and looking for a partner to help you digitalize your establishments? Innovorder is the only player in France to offer a complete ecosystem: order-taking, collection, preparation, delivery and management!

👉 Discover our offer for franchises