Best Franchise Opportunities in Sacramento, California

Whether you’re buying Freddy’s franchises in Sacramento, buying Swig franchises in Austin, or buying Playa Bowls franchises in Orlando, I’m here to help you avoid the wrong choice. Read about my approach to franchise consulting in Sacramento or book a call with me using the button below. Read why I think Five Guys, Twice the Ice, and MOD Pizza are some of the best franchise opportunities in Sacramento, California. Buying a franchise in Sacramento is more than knowing Jani-King’s franchise cost is $21K-$102K or that Jani-King of Madison’s franchise fee is $100250.

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

Book a free call to discuss 100s of opportunities we didn’t have space to display on this page.

Disclosure: Some franchisors pay us if you open with them after our introduction; you do not pay us. We recommend brands based on fit & include non-partner options..
Cinnabon

The setup is clean, that payoff is messy (in a solid way). Sacramento hungers for simple pleasures, and nothing's simpler than a gooey Cinnabon after one tough day navigating California traffic. Your worst review might just be “too popular.” Forget the farm-to-fork pretension, Sacramentans secretly want mountains of cream cheese frosting. The buzz becomes your best advertising strategy. This franchise opportunity is a assured sugar rush to success, right in the heart of the Golden State. People are already excited—they just don’t know it yet.

Thomas’s Take: Consultant’s Note

I reviewed Cinnabon’s FDD. Here’s why I like it as an option in East Sacramento or Midtown. The Item 19 in the FDD said: Median (50th percentile) net sales of $663,157 across enclosed mall franchises. With growing foot traffic in East Sacramento, a new Cinnabon franchise will satisfy the neighborhood’s craving for sweet treats.

Franchise overview & key stats of Cinnabon
CategoryRestaurants & Food
Marketing fund (in %)3%
Minimum cash required$72,500
Franchise fee$30,500
We assessed potential challenges (with example location)East Sac's health-conscious trends & scarce after-hours labor pool could challenge Cinnabon's viability with Sacramento's broader market.
We Analyzed Who Has an AdvantageA systems-focused, experienced multi-unit food operator with significant liquid capital.
We Analyzed Who Is a Bad FitA first-time franchisee seeking semi-passive opportunities.
How much can you make as a franchise owner? (FDD Item 19 – see disclosure)Enclosed mall franchises made an average of $720k in net sales (not profit), according to the 2024 FDD
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Freddy's

Big picture thinkers will like what they see here. Sacramento, with its population of 1,962,998, offers a sizable customer base for Freddy's. It opens up more profitable dayparts and service models. The city's diverse population makeup could align with the brand's appeal. There’s a clear alignment between consumer needs as well as brand potential. This currents an interesting local market prospect for Freddy's. When audience segments and economic signals align, strong performance often follows.

Franchise overview & key stats of Freddy's
CategoryRestaurants & Food
Marketing fund (in %)2%
Minimum cash required$362,500
Franchise fee$35,000
We assessed potential challenges (with example location)Midtown Sacramento Freddy's: after-hours crowd preference, thin teen labor pool, disparity with families, potential "too corporate" perception.
We Analyzed Who Has an AdvantageA well-funded, restaurant-experienced, culture ambassador with a passion for nostalgia
We Analyzed Who Is a Bad FitA passive investor with no QSR experience
How much can you make as a franchise owner? (FDD Item 19 – see disclosure)Average annual gross receipts (not profit) of $1.86M across 463 franchised restaurants (Item 19, 2025)
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About the page’s author, Thomas Jepsen
Franchise consultant & growth strategist
As seen in: Yahoo Finance

Master’s in Accounting, Strategy & Control. FBA-certified in franchises and FDD analysis. Raised institutional funding and completed a venture exit. Has advised aspiring franchisees on 20+ different business categories. Thomas helps aspiring franchisees evaluate brands objectively – it is my mission to steer you away from bad franchises.

Thomas Jepsen
MOD Pizza

If you’re keen, this could be truly the play. Sacramento's booming, and folks here love a solid, quick bite. Just be ready to work harder than that next guy. MOD Pizza's customizable pies would kill, but location is everything, gotta find the right e. Sustaining u is half the battle. Still, smart operators could really clean up. This could either be a hit or a headache—your call.

Franchise overview & key stats of MOD Pizza
CategoryFast‑Casual Pizza
Investment range$1M-$1.3M
Royalty (in %)5%
Marketing fund (in %)2%
Minimum cash required$217,500
Franchise fee$30,000
We assessed potential challenges (with example location)Land Park's MOD Pizza may face challenges: drawing in families amidst established dining, seasonal personnel issues, and diverse dietary needs.
We Analyzed Who Has an AdvantageAn experienced multi-unit restaurant operator.
We Analyzed Who Is a Bad FitA person with no restaurant experience, looking for a low-risk investment.
How much can you make as a franchise owner? (FDD Item 19 – see disclosure)No Item 19 claims in the 2024 FDD.
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Firehouse Subs

For owners with operational focus, this can work well. Firehouse Subs offers hot and hearty, firefighter-themed subs made with premium meats and cheeses, served with a charitable mission. It also supports marketing hooks across multiple audience types. Sacramento residents, known for their community spirit and love of the delicious food, will value the high-quality ingredients and commitment to local fire departments. That early traction needs to be supported by operational rigor. However, success requires strong operational skills plus a the competitive local restaurant landscape. This is about resilient k, not shortcuts.

Franchise overview & key stats of Firehouse Subs
CategoryRestaurants & Food
Marketing fund (in %)5%
Minimum cash required$110,000
Franchise fee$20,000
We Analyzed Who Has an AdvantageA community-minded, systems-focused owner-operator with QSR experience.
We Analyzed Who Is a Bad FitAn absentee owner that's inexperienced managing a younger workforce.
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Five Guys

This opportunity meets a timely e for practical indulgence. Sacramento values fresh, customizable food, aligning well with Five Guys' made-to-order burgers and generous toppings. The overlap with regional habits boosts brand familiarity. The emphasis on standard ingredients and one casual atmosphere also resonates with the city's laid-back culture. You’ll need to stay sharp nly to capitalize on demand. While competition exists, Five Guys' distinctive brand could attract a loyal following. This isn’t a single trend play—it’s a service-based business with legs.

Franchise overview & key stats of Five Guys
CategoryRestaurants & Food
Marketing fund (in %)2%
Minimum cash required$70,000
Franchise fee$25,000
We Analyzed Who Has an AdvantageA highly-capitalized manager with restaurant experience.
We Analyzed Who Is a Bad FitA first-time entrepreneur looking for a hands-off business.
How much can you make as a franchise owner? (FDD Item 19 – see disclosure)No financial performance data in the Item 19 2025 FDD
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Twice the Ice

This city’s diversity makes location choice more important than usual. Given Sacramento's hot environment and California's health-conscious culture, opening your Twice the Ice franchise in East Sacramento, with its wealthy e and bustling community events, could be a great opportunity to gain immediate traction and build a loyal customer base. That combo of traffic patterns supports operational flexibility. However, you may well find it challenging to establish a strong presence city center, where there are alprimed many established dessert options and foot traffic patterns aren't as consistent as in residential areas. Don’t confuse access with engagement—those are two different metrics. Remember to consistently ely s the c demographics and existing market conditions of each neighborhood before creating any final decisions. For the right operator, this is truly more than viable—it’s scalable.

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Bonchon

Start strong, listen hard, and keep the fries coming. Forget sunshine and rainbows. This is the kind of neighborhood where people remember good service. Launch a Bonchon in Sacramento isn't merely about perfect chicken. With thoughtful messaging and steady service, you’ll stand out naturally. Scout your location wisely, avoiding that cursed lot next to the perpetually-closed juice bar, and lgain the fine art of navigating California's permitting procedure before your dreams turn crispy. Here, success is earned by showing up and staying consistent.

Franchise overview & key stats of Bonchon
CategoryRestaurants & Food
Marketing fund (in %)2%
Minimum cash required$217,500
Franchise fee$35,000
How much can you make as a franchise owner? (FDD Item 19 – see disclosure)Bonchon's 2025 FDD reported median sales (not profit) of $1.358M for mature stores
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Factors to consider

When looking for a franchise in Sacramento there are city-specific factors to consider. Consider this. As an aspiring franchisee, seasonal events can significantly impact your business’s success. However, here’s what you should know: Monitor the city’s calendar for festivals or holidays to adjust your marketing and staffing accordingly. But make sure to know this, too. Local politics are crucial in this location. So, here’s what to do: As an aspiring franchisee, you should be aware of local zoning laws and permit regulations.

Here are some local links to help you when opening a franchise in Sacramento: www.sos.ca.gov, dfpi.ca.gov, and calosba.ca.gov

Our Evaluation Methodology

  • 1
    Franchisor Vetting & Financial Due Diligence

    Rigorous FDD evaluation keyed stability to Sacramento's engine: state government. Item 19 analysis and litigation history provided market evidence.

  • 2
    Local Market Feasibility & Demographic Alignment

    We targeted franchises fitting Sacramento's 50th percentile household income ($77k), age (36.2 yrs), and lifestyle indicators, ensuring local consumer alignment.

Earnings disclaimer

If any earnings claims are made for a prospective franchisor, those are verified against the Item 19 FDD version specified. No financial claims outside those made in an FDD may be shared with a franchisee. Please contact us in case you see discrepancies. Missing earnings claims do not mean an FDD is missing an Item 19.

City Highlights

🏙️ Retail corridor Archetype

Dominant arterials host strip malls and big-box merchants, emphasizing accessibility and ample dedicated parking.

As of 2025 Confidence: High
🛣️ Major corridor access Access

I-5 and I-80 provide north–south and E–W access, supporting regional travel.

As of 2025 Confidence: High
🎓 University presence Demand

Sacramento State and UC Davis provide a consistent pool of potential employees with diverse skills for the franchisee.

As of 2025 Confidence: High
🏭 Industry snapshot Broad

Government and services are key sectors, with a growing healthcare concentration.

As of 2025 Confidence: High
Other Cities
CityHighlighted franchise
Sacramento, CaliforniaCinnabon
CinnabonSwig
Orlando, FloridaPlaya Bowls
San Juan, Puerto RicoFreddy's
Other Cities
CityPopulation
Sacramento, California1962998
Austin, Texas1915031
Orlando, Florida1913597
San Juan, Puerto Rico1809800

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.