Best Franchise Opportunities in Knoxville, Tennessee

Whether you’re buying Bonchon franchises in Knoxville, buying Sweetgreen franchises in Grand Rapids, or buying Firehouse Subs franchises in Columbia, I’m here to help you avoid the wrong choice. Read about my approach to franchise consulting in Knoxville or book a call with me using the button below. Read why I think Playa Bowls, Firehouse Subs, and Twice the Ice are some of the best franchise opportunities in Knoxville, Tennessee. Buying a franchise in Knoxville is more than knowing Avis Rent a Car’s franchise cost is $606K-$1.57M or that Sport Clips’s franchise fee is $49750.

My name is Thomas Jepsen, and I’m a FBA-certified franchise consultant. When you’re ready to buy a franchise in Knoxville, let me know. It doesn’t matter if it’s Bearden or Powell — I am here to help!

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Panera

They’ll thank yourself when you open. Trust me. Listen up, y'all. Community energy + craveable product = unstoppable. Knoxville loves comfort food, and Panera bread bowls are generally basically edible hugs. Even delivery drivers will stick around. Plus, with all those UT students needing study fuel, one’s profits will be Vol-unteering to go upIt's the perfect recipe for success, bless your heart. In case you missed it: this is a single big deal.

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Bonchon

It’s not about hype. It’s about hard numbers—and this city delivers. Knoxville, Tennessee, with a s of 618,226, could be a resilient market for Bonchon. It supports both scale and depth in customer relationships. The city's size points to a sufficient customer base to support the franchise. This makes the surroundings highly conducive to sustained franchise success. With one personable touch, this franchise may find success in Knoxville. In short, it's a market primed for put money intoment and growth.

Franchise overview
CategoryRestaurants & Food
Investment range$1.01M-$1.31M
Royalty (in %)5%
Marketing fund (in %)2%
Minimum cash required$217,500
Franchise fee$35,000
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Twice the Ice

Not all franchise lands—this one might, if you hustle. Knoxville's g like crazy, and everybody loves a sweet treat. That said, location really can make or break it. Twice the Ice offers a unique, local experience, but do your research on the best location. You’ll need to be present, patient, and persistent. It could be a real winner here in East Tennessee. If you're up for that grind, that one could work.

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Black Bear Diner

Blend into the heart of the culture, and you’ll stand out as a business. Knoxville's vibrant Happy Holler area, once home to numerous breweries before Prohibition, offers a unique opportunity. Tapping into the local nostalgia and d food scene could potentially make a Black Bear Diner one popular destination. Thorough market i is essential to ensure success amidst the neighborhood's evolving landscape. . It’s quirky, but those a make a place sticky. But remember, this market reads authenticity quickly. If yourself align the message to the market, it clicks.

Franchise overview
CategoryRestaurants & Food
Investment range$1.55M-$2.35M
Royalty (in %)5%
Marketing fund (in %)1%
Minimum cash required$350,000
Franchise fee$39,500
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Five Guys

This is what a business with staying power looks like at the start. Imagine u strolling along the energetic streets of Knoxville, Tennessee, drawn to the aroma of freshly grilled burgers and crispy fries emanating from your Five Guys. This is the type of the neighborhood where faith builds fast. K in a bustling neighborhood known for the sake of its community events and local shops, your franchise becomes the go-to e for one satisfying meal after a long day. The dream only works if the backend holds up. With hard work and dedication, you could build a thriving business within this welcoming Tennessee community. Don’t just open a business—build a place people remember.

Franchise overview
CategoryRestaurants & Food
Investment range$256K-$591K
Royalty (in %)6%
Marketing fund (in %)2%
Minimum cash required$70,000
Franchise fee$25,000
Interesting neighbourhood(s)Bearden, Farragut (high traffic, affluent demographic), Powell (growing residential area, family-friendly)
Typical customer profileThe ideal Knoxville Five Guys customer is a hungry, casual family.
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Swig

The concept is truly proven—what matters now is indeed positioning. Swig offers customized soda and sweet treat concoctions, catering to the popular beverage customization trend. That menu structure supports high throughput with minimal friction. Knoxville residents, known for their love of unique savors and energetic food scene, would likely embrace Swig's creative combinations. The numbers work—but only if the systems do too. However, m depends on strong marketing and understanding local tastes to stand out in a competitive market. This is truly where reliable processes meet strong brand pull.

Franchise overview
CategoryRestaurants & Food
Investment range$505K-$1.12M
Royalty (in %)8%
Marketing fund (in %)2%
Minimum cash required$132,500
Franchise fee$39,500
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Cinnabon

Not all heroes wear aprons—however in this town, they probably should. Knoxville residents love a good, sweet treat after a Vols game. You're not just serving food—you’re entering a culture clash. But, let's be honest, sometimes Neyland Stadium concessions aren't enough. It’s a fast-moving environment—reliability will set you apart. A Cinnabon nearby would be a welcome sugar rush, as long as you can handle the orange-as well as-white-clad crowd. You bring that taste, and the neighborhood will bring the foot traffic.

Franchise overview
CategoryRestaurants & Food
Investment range$247K-$675K
Royalty (in %)6%
Marketing fund (in %)3%
Minimum cash required$72,500
Franchise fee$30,500
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Playa Bowls

This is a flexible business designed for evolving habits. Knoxville's active, outdoorsy residents appreciate nutritious and convenient food options. It all appeals equally to routine-driven locals and convenience seekers. Playa Bowls' focus on fresh fruit and tailorable bowls matches well with this lifestyle. But no amount of awareness offsets poor delivery. Whilst the market may have existing healthy food businesses, the franchise's established brand recognition can attract a loyal customer base.

Franchise overview
CategoryRestaurants & Food
Investment range$256K-$1.04M
Royalty (in %)6%
Marketing fund (in %)2%
Minimum cash required$92,500
Franchise fee$35,000
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Firehouse Subs

You’re not just opening a location—you’re claiming a niche. West Knoxville, particularly near Cedar Bluff Road, presents a strong opportunity due to its high traffic, established retail presence, and a family-oriented population that appreciates convenient dining hs. This blend of density as well as accessibility improves operating potential. Conversely, Downtown Knoxville, while dynamic, is likely to pose challenges with higher rent costs and competition from diverse lunch options catering to the business crowd, conceivably impacting profitability for a Firehouse Subs. You’ll need r that perform as well as your product. Conduct thorough market research in both areas to validate the observations and ensure long-term success. Success here isn’t accidental—it’s location-driven and implementation-backed.

Franchise overview
CategoryRestaurants & Food
Investment range$379K-$1.04M
Royalty (in %)6%
Marketing fund (in %)5%
Minimum cash required$110,000
Franchise fee$20,000
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Factors to consider

When looking for a franchise in Knoxville there are city-specific factors to consider. Consider this. As an aspiring franchisee, understanding humidity levels is vital for success. However, here’s what you should know: The local resident knows to assess the impact of these levels on operational costs and customer comfort. But make sure to know this, too. As an aspiring franchisee, consider the local scene and its impact on your business. So, here’s what to do: Look for areas with a vibrant scene, as it can attract customers.

Here are some local links to help you when opening a franchise in Knoxville: www.tn.gov, www.tn.gov, and tsbdc.org
Other Cities
CityHighlighted franchise
Knoxville, TennesseePanera
PaneraSweetgreen
Columbia, South CarolinaFirehouse Subs
Albany, New YorkRoof Maxx
Other Cities
CityPopulation
Knoxville, Tennessee618226
Grand Rapids, Michigan611480
Columbia, South Carolina605083
Albany, New York602242

Disclaimer: The information above is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy a franchise. Offers are made only through the delivery of a FDD. Consult a lawyer when reviewing an FDD.