Best Franchise Opportunities to Own in Chicago

I’ve previously written articles on the best opportunities to own in states like Georgia, North Carolina, and Illinois. However, now it’s time to get more specific and talk about Chicago! 

Whenever I og to this city, it’s always important I get my fix – you know, a deep dish! 

And while I don’t love the Lake Shore traffic, I find myself going to this city on a pretty frequent basis. 

Chicago has a a bunch of things going for it, which doesn’t just make it great for franchising. It’s an incredibly dynamic place in the US, which means there are tons of different opportunities. 

However, to be successful, you need to be strategic. 

In the article below, I’ve listed the best franchises opportunities to own in Chicago. Fret not if you don’t think the right one for you is there – instead, reach out and let’s find the right one for you together. 

Nothing Bundt Cakes

As I write this, I want you to also think about what a franchise opportunity might mean for YOU. It doesn’t matter if it’s the perfect one for your brother if it doesn’t work for you specifically. 

However, Nothing Bundt Cakes is at the top of my list in terms of the best franchise opportunity to own in Chicago for several reasons. I love how operationally easy this business is to run, and then you top it off with solid margins as well (pun intended!) 

Even if Chicagoans love getting into heated debates about hot dog toppings, celebrating milestones is extreme important too. I’m talking everything from baby showers to birthdays. 

Nothing Bundt Cakes isn’t just an opportunity for you to serve something sweet and tasty for the people you love, but you can also occasionally bring one home with you. 

People living in Chicago know baked goods. There are a myriad of options coming from both Polish and Italian influences, like pastries and cookies. Nothing Bundt Cakes is still somewhat of a new thing in comparison, which does well on Instagram but is also a classy addition to any party. 

It’s both family-friendly and easy to travel with, too. Whenever you’re hosting a party, baking always feels like one of those things you tell yourself you’re going to get around to but never do. And then instead, you end up buying a cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes.

Dogtopia

Dogtopia is the next level thing for dog lovers, and maybe the reason you start to learn about FDDs and territory rights. 

There’s no denying this isn’t your average place to take your dog, but rather the crème de la crème. Dogtopia does a wonderful job creating an experience that makes every dog owner want to come back with scent-free facilities and themed play days! Why are you the only one who should be allowed to have fun? 

Dogtopia is in a great spot in a lot of regards – pet ownership is rising, and dogs are being treated like family. Some would even argue that they’re being treated better than family. 

Chicago is also no different from many other cities where Gen Z and Millenials have very high rates of dog ownership. Dogtopia serves a great market with all the high-rise dwellers in RIver North, Lakeview, and Westloop. 

In addition, that’s not to mention there are lots of suburban families too that would use these services. However, most people aren’t going to want to leave their dog at home in an apartment.  

What’s great is that when you get a dog owner to bring their dog to your Dogtopia franchise, you’ve probably created a customer who comes back and is willing to drop a lot of money over time. Before you pick a location where you’re going to start a Dogtopia franchise, make sure it’s an area where there are a lot of dog owners. 

For this business to be a success in the location you’re looking at, you need to keep in mind that it’s a service-heavy model. The team that helps you with this venture will make or break the business, because you’re reliant on them to make sure customers want to come back. 

There’s also the added difficulty with this model that real estate and zoning could be issues, so make sure to look into what the situation is before you commit too much time and money understanding royalties. 

Black Bear Diner

When you step into a lodge getaway, what’s inside a Black Bear Diner is exactly what you would imagine. With its hearty American-style food, it’s a place you want to go back more than once. 

You don’t just get huge portions, but there’s a great family-friendly vibe in there, which fits right into what I think of when I think of Chicago. 

In Chicago, the Midwestern meat-and-potatoes for every meal is strong. Servings are big, brunch is hard, and pancakes should be served on Sunday! 

I would look into places like Joliet, Tinley Parks, but you could also look at the northwest, where there may be a prime territory. 

I’m not going to lie. It’s a more complex model to run because you need more staff, and it’s a higher-touch operation, but it’s also very satisfying serving food to people. I know I love having family and friends over and serving them! 

It’s definitely a model where you’re better off if you have existing restaurant experience already, or if you have a strong GM in mind who can help. 

Some of these franchises on this list are easier to operate in Chicago than others are, but you could have a specific industry you’re particularly interested in getting started in.

DexaFit

DexaFit is the next on the list of the best franchise opportunities to own in Chicago. Hear me out. 

DexaFit is tapping straight into people’s current fitness obsession. With more and more cool hardware coming out in the fitness space, it’s no wonder people are truly waking up to the reality of the benefits of having a healthy lifestyle. 

DexaFit is at the heart of all of that, offering things like body scans, VO2 max testing, and various other tests. If you’re a fitness nut, these are things you’re curious about. 

However, a Dexafit franchise will need a more well-considered location for you to get started. While Chicago’s fitness culture is booming, certain areas are more likely to bring in the crowd you need for this to be a success. 

North Shore and Logan Square is where I would expect to find the biohackers and fitness nuts, and therefore where I would attempt to set up shop. 

It’s also important to realize this is a business model with a focus on higher-income individuals that are also fitness-minded. Wherever your more affluent fitness crowd goes is where you’re more likely to have these people congregate. 

Factors to consider

If you’re looking to set up a franchise location in Chicago, there are some city-specific factors to consider. Chicago isn’t just a city. Different neighbors have different personalities and personas that live in them. 

Naperville or River North may be good locations for DexaFit, but completely fail on Chicago’s south side. If you’re not pairing up the franchise with the local population, this will be a complete disaster. 

The seasonality in Chicago is also worth considering. While Florida practically has nice weather year-round, a place like Chicago has other obstacles when snow is falling by the inch during certain parts of the year. 

What’s your plan of operations when Chicagoans are more so limited in their outside travel? Will there still be a business case for you at that point?