Illinois is truly a marvelous state, and it doesn’t end when it comes to franchising. While it may be colder than North Carolina, there are so many things the state can offer.
Whether you’re trying to open multi-unit franchises in Pennsylvania or Illinois, there are many things to know.
FDDs (franchise disclosure documents), territory rights, Item 5, Item 6. They’re all terms you’ll be used to by the time you’re signing with the right franchisor. As you research the different companies, you have an exciting time ahead of you, but it can also be a time you’re not looking forward to.
As the Land of Lincoln, deep-dish pizza, and wildly unpredictable weather, the state has a bit of everything.
The right choice for you may not be the same for you as it is for someone else, but this article will outline some of the best franchise opportunities in Illinois across a number of different industries, including multi-unit opportunities.
However, since the number of franchisors is large, your best bet at finding the right one is by scheduling a call with me, and we can dive into your goals.
Crumbl Cookies
Without further ado, maybe the best multi-unit franchise opportunity in Illinois is Crumbl Cookies. It’s a company I get asked about a lot, and while it’s not for everyone, it sure is one where I think the model is great.
With its high-sugar product, you’re serving something up that’s not as seasonal as ice cream and highly addictive. On top of that, did I mention there are good margins on the product you’ll be selling?
Illinoisans love a sweet treat, and that’s exactly what Crumbl Cookies offers. On top of that, it’s a product that’s universally loved across all age groups.
While Portillo’s chocolate cake shake may be a fan favorite, Crumbl Cookies is taking the market by storm and spreading across the country with impressive speed.
Crumbl Cookies offers an impressive rotating weekly menu that keep customers coming back. To make things even better, customers love taking pictures of the products and putting them up on Instgram.
There sure are some urban or suburban pockets out there that need some of this goodness! Personally, Naperville, Schaumburg, and other “edge cities” would be great options for this franchise.
The only issue I see with this business and Illinois is that there are very cold months where you won’t get tons of foot traffic, where delivery will be your bread and butter.
StormGuard
While I never ended up doing it, I almost started a roofing company with a friend. My thinking was that it would be great because insurance pays for a lot of new roofs that get installed when the need for the replacement comes down to an accident.
| 🌽 Key Item | 🏙️ Illinois-Focused Insight |
|---|---|
| Initial franchise fee | $65 000 (veterans receive a $6 500 discount) |
| Total capital required | $200 400 – $236 600 opening outlay; minimum liquid capital ≥ $75 000 and net worth ≥ $250 000 |
| Ongoing fees | 6.25 % royalty + 0.75 % brand fund, plus mandated local marketing spend that scales from $2 500 / mo (Yr 1) to $7 500 / mo (Yr 3+) |
| Prime Illinois trade areas |
• Chicago western suburbs – Naperville / Aurora hail corridor (high 10-yr storm frequency) • North Shore – Evanston to Highland Park (older cedar roofs due for asphalt conversion) • Peoria metro – Caterpillar retiree market with high home-owner equity |
| Creative rollout idea | Stage a “Raise the Roof Rally” on the Riverwalk in Naperville during May’s 🌷 Tulip Time; livestream drone footage of a mock shingle-tear-off, then hand out limited-edition IL-flag hard-hats that redeem a free gutter guard inspection at the new DuPage County location. |
| 🚀 Enquire | Talk to Thomas about StormGuard Illinois ➜ |
Chicago is the windy city, and the rest of the state will also get more than its fair share of questionable weather. Roofing can have very impressive margins, and when you start the business with a franchise that has the system down, you have a significant advantage to start off with.
The main obstacle I see is that regulations could be hard to deal with. Chicago, in particular, is pretty strict, and paperwork could end up being a considerable portion of your worklife.
If you are planning on starting a roofing franchise anywhere in Illinois, I would personally lean towards Aurora, Joliet, and Elgin. You want to find places where the homes do have some age, so that there will also be roofs to replace.
Make sure to read my post on area development agreements, which could help you if you’re curious about Crumbl.
Dutch Bros
I’ve probably never had as much coffee as when I’ve been to Illinois. The people in the state clearly love their caffeine. Coffee is a necessity whether you’re a college student or working your job.
In my opinion, Dutch Bros has nailed the branding, focusing on “fun, fast, and friendly.” There’s a reason they’re a force to be reckoned with. The midwest is notorious with its drive-thrus, which is a great thing if a Dutch Bros location (or several) is what you’re after.
My main hesitation opening a Dutch Bros in Illinois is that Dutch Bros is mainly a brand that’s known in the West (at least at this point). It’ll take you some time to get off the ground, but once you are, the loyal customers will keep coming back. ‘
If you’re able to secure a spot that’s close to a highway, you could end up being the owner of a very successful franchise location (or several).
Qualicare Home Care
There’s no denying hte population in Illinois is aging, and it’s particularly the case outside Chicago metro. However, seniors often don’t want institutional living. As a consequence, digging into Qualicare’s financials and FDD could just make you see the business opportunity you’ve been missing.
Qualicare provides a great, high-touch approach that makes seniors feel appreciated.
Again, as already mentioned, there’s a chance the red tape stops you before you get to it. Healthcare is regulated in the state, and getting the necessary licenses could prove challenging.
Law firms that handle elder care, local hospitals, retirement communities. They’re all institutions that could refer a lot of business to you.
Factors to consider
Illinois has some unique factors to consider when it comes to single or multi-unit franchise opportunities. If you disregard them, your chances of success are considerably lessened as a consequence.
| 📍 Region | 🏪 Best Franchise Types | 🧠 Why It Works Here | 🎯 Local Promo Idea |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌆 Chicago (Downtown + South Side) | Wings, barbershops, carryout QSR, tech repair, tutoring | Transit-first zones + night-heavy traffic = high walk-up demand. Venting, grease traps, and signage often limited — prioritize existing restaurant infrastructure | “CTA Flavor Card” — hand out QR-code coupons at Red Line stops for late-night combos |
| 🏙️ Naperville / Oak Brook | IV drip lounges, boutique fitness, lash bars, smoothie chains | Affluent suburban commuters, strip-center leasing options, proximity to high-traffic medical and retail plazas. Works well for self-care + health/wellness concepts | “Refuel & Reset” — partner with OrangeTheory for post-workout IV drip vouchers |
| 🌽 Peoria / Bloomington | Auto service, pest control, tutoring, discount retail | Mid-market towns with blue-collar density, low franchise saturation, and large school zones. Great for route-based or mobile-first service franchises | “Grill & Grade” — partner with schools for student voucher contests + meal cards |
| 🏈 Champaign / Urbana | Student meal kits, bubble tea, bike repair, mobile coffee | University of Illinois = highly walkable, Gen Z-heavy, social-media-prone crowd. Prefer brands with app integration + strong loyalty features | “Illini Eats” — co-launch U of I-exclusive rewards on launch day near Green Street |
The weather’s a big one, and you’ll want to start off considering that before you commit to hours of reading through FDDs. StormGuard, for instance, may benefit from insurance claims, but the weather can also make it hard to operate at times. On the other hand, if your business relies on foot traffic, what do you do when foot traffic is minimal because it’s snowing?
Regulatory limitations are things you’ll want to consider no matter where you’re starting a new business (or expanding). However, understanding the legal requirements for the type of business you’re starting is crucial. It could break you if you find out it’s considerably harder than you imagined!
Logistics and traffic are also aspects to consider. If you or your employees will do a lot of driving, you’ll need to factor this into the budgets and plans you’re making. Don’t be surprised when you end up in an hour of unexpected traffic!
I help aspiring franchisees and franchisees looking to expand find the right opportunities for them. By listening to what’s important to you, I’m proud to say my approach is very customized. Make sure to schedule a call with me as you’re considering what franchise to buy into!
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