Top 10 Low Budget Food Franchises in India – Best Small Investment Restaurant Opportunities

Are you looking for a low budget food franchise in India? The growing food industry in India presents a fantastic opportunity to entrepreneurs looking to invest in cheap food franchises with minimal capital. The low-cost food franchise sector offers diverse options ranging from fast food outlets to health-conscious snack businesses. These franchises allow aspiring business owners to start a small investment restaurant franchise and quickly scale up their operations with proper guidance and support.

Starting a low budget food franchise in India offers several advantages, such as low-risk, high-return potential, brand recognition, and a proven business model. This article will walk you through the best low-cost food franchises, help you explore the potential of profitable fast food franchises, and provide you with a list of budget-friendly food business ideas that require minimal investment.

Top 10 Low Budget Food Franchises in India

Here is a list of some of the best low-budget food franchises in India that offer high profits and quick return on investment. These small investment restaurant franchises have been carefully selected based on their popularity, ease of entry, and support offered to franchisees.

1. Tandooriwala – Authentic Indian Cuisine Franchise

Investment Required: ₹10-20 Lakhs
Area Requirement: 500 – 1000 sq. ft.
Profit Margin: 30-40%
USP: No royalty fees, free recruitment & training, international brand presence

About Tandooriwala:
Tandooriwala is one of the leading low-budget food franchises in India, offering a diverse menu of Mughlai and North Indian dishes. The brand has established over 52 outlets and provides robust franchisee support, including marketing, operational training, and staff recruitment.

Why Choose Tandooriwala?

  • Low investment with high ROI
  • Strong brand recognition
  • Full operational and marketing support
  • No hidden charges and free location feasibility study

2. ZORKO – Fast Food Franchise

Investment Required: ₹4.25 Lakhs
Area Requirement: 250-500 sq. ft.
Profit Margin: 30-50%
USP: No royalty fees, Shark Tank-backed brand

About ZORKO:
ZORKO is one of the fastest-growing cheap food franchises in India. Known for its range of fast food items such as burgers, pizzas, and momos, ZORKO has expanded rapidly with over 300+ outlets across India. It offers flexible franchise models, including food trucks, takeaway counters, and kiosks.

Why Choose ZORKO?

  • Quick ROI (12-14 months)
  • No royalty fees – franchisees retain 100% profits
  • Digital marketing and branding support
  • Comprehensive training and equipment provided

3. Amul Ice Cream Franchise

Investment Required: ₹5-10 Lakhs
Area Requirement: 300 sq. ft.
Profit Margin: 20-30%
USP: Strong brand trust, high sales volume

Why Choose Amul?
Amul is an iconic dairy brand with over 75 years of market trust. Its ice cream franchise offers a low-budget food franchise in India with high sales volume and minimal operational costs. It’s a great choice for anyone seeking a profitable fast food franchise with consistent demand.

  • Well-established brand
  • High-profit margins on ice cream
  • No franchise fees; product purchases are the primary cost

4. Momomia – Low-Cost Momos Franchise

Investment Required: ₹2-3 Lakhs
Area Requirement: 250-300 sq. ft.
Profit Margin: 30-50%
USP: Low investment, high returns, growing demand for momos

Why Choose Momomia?
Momomia is a low-investment franchise offering momos, which is one of the most popular snack items in India. The brand caters to the increasing demand for fast food with a growing customer base. This makes it a strong option for aspiring entrepreneurs looking for a budget-friendly food business idea.

  • Affordable startup cost
  • Flexible outlet options (food stalls, kiosks, small restaurants)
  • Strong market demand for momos

5. Patanjali Franchise – Ayurveda & Organic Food

Investment Required: ₹50,000 – ₹5 Lakhs
Area Requirement: 300 sq. ft.
Profit Margin: 10-15%
USP: High demand for Ayurvedic & organic products

Why Choose Patanjali?
Patanjali offers a low-budget food franchise in India with a diverse range of Ayurvedic and organic food products. The brand’s increasing popularity, along with the growing demand for organic food, makes it an attractive option for a low-risk investment.

  • Strong brand recognition
  • Affordable investment
  • Diverse product range

6. Suguna Chicken – Poultry Franchise

Investment Required: ₹5-10 Lakhs
Area Requirement: 300-400 sq. ft.
Profit Margin: 30%
USP: Strong poultry brand, high-profit margins

Why Choose Suguna?
Suguna Chicken is a well-established poultry brand in India, and it provides an excellent opportunity for those interested in the poultry business. With high-profit margins on chicken products and strong demand in the market, it’s a great option for a small investment restaurant franchise.

  • Guaranteed market demand
  • High-profit margins on poultry products
  • Established brand in the poultry sector

7. InXpress – Low Investment Courier Franchise

Investment Required: ₹9 Lakhs
Area Requirement: 250-400 sq. ft.
Profit Margin: 90% per year
USP: E-commerce boom, logistics demand

Why Choose InXpress?
InXpress offers a low-budget food franchise in India focused on logistics and courier services. The rise of e-commerce makes this an appealing option for entrepreneurs looking to tap into a booming industry with a small investment and high-profit potential.

  • No stock needed, only logistics management
  • Partnerships with e-commerce companies
  • Low operational costs

8. Cafe Coffee Day (CCD) Franchise

Investment Required: ₹10 Lakhs
Area Requirement: 1000-1500 sq. ft.
Profit Margin: 25-35%
USP: Popular cafe chain, high footfall locations

Why Choose CCD?
Cafe Coffee Day (CCD) is one of the most recognized profitable fast food franchises in India. The popular cafe chain serves coffee, snacks, and light meals, attracting large foot traffic. With a high brand recall and strong customer base, it offers significant returns on investment.

  • Established and popular brand
  • Wide menu offering
  • High-footfall locations

9. KidZee Preschool Franchise

Investment Required: ₹12-15 Lakhs
Area Requirement: 2000-3000 sq. ft.
Profit Margin: 20% per year
USP: High ROI, growing demand for preschool education

Why Choose KidZee?
KidZee is India’s largest preschool network and offers an excellent franchise opportunity for entrepreneurs interested in the education sector. With a high ROI and strong demand for quality preschool education, this is an ideal option for a non-food low-budget business idea.

  • Strong network of schools
  • High-profit margins
  • Stability in the education sector

10. DTDC Courier Franchise

Investment Required: ₹40,000 – ₹2 Lakhs
Area Requirement: 300-450 sq. ft.
Profit Margin: 20% per year
USP: Low investment, growing logistics industry

Why Choose DTDC?
DTDC Courier offers a low-budget food franchise in India with minimal investment. As the logistics sector grows, particularly with the rise in e-commerce, DTDC offers entrepreneurs a chance to capitalize on this trend with relatively low startup costs.

  • Multiple revenue streams
  • Established courier brand
  • Minimal operational costs

Conclusion  

Investing in a low budget food franchise in India provides entrepreneurs with a low-risk, high-reward opportunity. With cheap food franchises like Tandooriwala, ZORKO, and Amul Ice Cream, you can tap into a thriving industry and enjoy the benefits of brand recognition, operational support, and strong customer demand.

If you’re interested in starting a small investment restaurant franchise or exploring other budget-friendly food business ideas, now is the perfect time to act. Conduct thorough research, assess the market demand, and choose the franchise that aligns with your goals for a successful venture.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Some of the best low-budget food franchises in India include Tandooriwala, ZORKO, Amul Ice Cream, Momomia, and Suguna Chicken. These franchises offer a low investment with high-profit margins and great support for franchisees.

Yes, several food franchises can be started under ₹5 lakh, including Momomia (₹2-3 Lakhs) and ZORKO (₹4.25 Lakhs). These offer affordable investment options with high returns.

Some of the cheapest food franchises include Tandooriwala, Momomia, and Patanjali. These are budget-friendly and require minimal investment.

Franchises like Tandooriwala, ZORKO (up to 50% profit margin) and Suguna Chicken (30% profit margin) offer the highest profit margins in the food franchise sector.

Profits from low-budget food franchises in India vary based on the brand, location, and business model. Typically, you can expect profit margins ranging from 20% to 50%, depending on the franchise.

The time it takes to break even varies, but with successful franchises like ZORKO, you can expect a return on investment (ROI) within 12-14 months.

Look for franchises with low entry costs, strong brand recognition, and comprehensive support. Evaluate your interests and budget before making a decision.

Before investing, consider factors such as location, demand for the product, profit margin, training and support, and the overall brand reputation.