Top Healthy Fast-Food Franchises for 2025

Making New Year’s resolutions is a time-honored tradition, and one of the most common is the commitment to eat healthier. But sticking to that goal can be tough when fast-food options like pizza, burger and chicken joints are seemingly around every corner. Despite these temptations, nearly 50% of Americans are actively trying to improve their eating habits — a goal made easier by the growing number of healthy fast-food franchises that have sprung up across a variety of categories, from fresh Mexican and salads to Mediterranean and juice bars.

Looking for a great concept to invest in the New Year? Below, we dive into the top healthy fast-food franchises for 2025.

Top Healthy Fast-Food Franchises for 2025

Acai Bowl and Superfood Franchises

Acai bowls are smoothie bowls that originated in Brazil, made from a thick puree of acai berries as a base. The bowls are then topped with wholesome ingredients, including sliced fruit and berries, granola, coconut and almond butter. These healthful menu options have made a splash in the U.S., with the acai bowl shop market reaching $846 million in 2023.

Franchises that meet the demand for acai bowls and superfoods include Playa Bowls, Vitality Bowls Superfood Café, Acai Express Superfood Bowls and Oakberry. They tend to have simpler models than traditional burger joints because they don’t require large ovens and frying equipment to operate.

Fresh Mexican Franchises

Mexican food consistently ranks as a top ethnic choice for Americans, according to Pew Research. This presents and exciting opportunity to tap into the demand for Mexican food by investing in franchise brands like Moe’s Southwest, El Pollo Loco, Rusty’s Taco Shop, Del Taco and Taco John’s. While fast-food Mexican options often get a bad rap for being unhealthy, many dishes feature nutrient-packed ingredients like chia seeds, pumpkin, chiles, beans and even cactus. For those seeking a sizzling franchise opportunity in 2025, fresh Mexican food brands offer the perfect recipe for success — combining customer demand with franchisor support and training.

Healthy Vending Franchises

Vending machines are the ultimate in fast food, although many are filled with junk. But that’s changing fast. With brands like HealthyYOU Vending and Naturals2Go, you can invest in proven models that offer a variety of healthier options, from protein-packed snacks and low-calorie drinks to fresh salads and wholesome sandwiches. These home-based opportunities offer the ultimate flexibility, allowing investors to run a scalable business with minimal overhead. With vending machines in schools, gyms, and offices, healthy vending franchises provide a solution for on-the-go, health-focused consumers.

Meal Prep and Ready-Made Meal Services Franchises

Meal kits are rising in popularity with Gen Z and Millenials. Franchises that offer meal prep services include Clean Eatz and Lean Kitchen Company. Franchisees with Clean Eatz benefit from multiple revenue streams (dine-in café, grab-and-go prepared meals, snack choices, catering and weekly meal plans), and the brand’s meal plans feature nutritious food and can be customized for certain dietary preferences and restrictions. Entrepreneurs who own a meal prep franchise get a piece of the global prepared meals market, which was valued at $166.62 billion in 2023 and is projected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 7.02% to $305.68 billion.

Mediterranean-Inspired Franchises

Mediterranean food has a strong following in the U.S. because of its fresh, flavorful ingredients, which include fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains. The healthfulness of Mediterranean cuisine has been backed up by science since researchers in the 1950s found that people living around the Mediterranean Sea had lower levels of cardiovascular disease. Since then, Mediterranean food franchise opportunities like The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, Apóla Greek Grill, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe have met demand for this healthy cuisine that has a diet named after it.

Plant-Based/Vegan Franchises

The rise of plant-based and vegan franchises is proving that fast food isn’t just for meat lovers anymore. Franchised brands capitalize on growing trends toward plant-based meat, dairy alternatives, and eco-conscious eating. These businesses appeal to a broad audience, from dedicated vegans to flexitarians looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into their diets.

There are many advantages to a vegetarian diet. For example, decreased meat consumption reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer and mitigates the pollution that comes from animal agriculture.  Franchised brands like VeganBurg, Greens and Grains and Souley Vegan are leveraging trends toward plant-based meat and milk substitutes while promoting a lifestyle that is good for the planet and its people. Entrepreneurs can stand out in a crowded field of pizza and burger restaurants by investing in a vegan or plant-based franchise.

Poké Franchises

Poké, a dish that originated in Hawaii, features diced raw fish dressed with soy sauce, sesame oil, seaweed and onions. Packed with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin A, poké has surged in popularity thanks to its health benefits and fun make-your-own bowl options. Franchises like Island Fin Poké, Aloha Poke Co. and KOIBITO POKĒ offer the opportunity to bring this Hawaiian delicacy to the mainland. With smaller build-out requirements and minimal kitchen equipment needed, poké franchises make it easier for owners to get started while delivering a modern and in-demand dining experience.

Salad Franchises

Salads are a go-to option for many individuals looking for a healthy lunch or dinner. Some popular brands include Coolgreens, Protein Bar & Kitchen, The Big Salad, Saladworks, Salad Station, Grabbagreen and CHOP5 Salad Kitchen. Franchisees benefit from multiple revenue streams, such as online ordering and catering options. Additionally, many have lower startup costs compared to traditional restaurant concepts.

Smoothie and Juice Bar Franchises

Popular smoothie and juice bar franchises like Maha Juice Bar, Clean Juice, Movita Juice Bar, Smoothie King, Tropical Smoothie Cafe and Jamba have a variety of offerings, including cold-pressed juices, juice cleanses, smoothies, avocado toasts and acai bowls. The market is driven by increased awareness of health and wellness. According to Grand View Research, the global smoothies market was estimated at $12.46 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.3% from 2024 to 2030.

This article was originally published by Franchise Wire