QSR Opens 2026 Best Franchise Deals Submissions

Call for Entries

QSR opened submissions for its annual hunt for the quick-service industry’s best franchise deals. Entries are due by 11:59 pm on Monday, June 22. Winners will be featured in the September 2026 issue, extending a 15-year report that many operators study closely.

The franchise-deal program has built its reputation by blending hard numbers with operator experience. Startup and ongoing capital requirements are weighed alongside the depth of corporate support and how satisfied franchisees feel. A fixed intake window and a disciplined production schedule keep the process predictable for brands and investors that use the report as a benchmark.

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Submission Criteria

Brands that want to be considered need to file through QSR’s submission portal by the deadline with all materials organized to spec. The review centers on clearly defined criteria:

- initial investment levels
- historical and projected sales performance
- the reliability and responsiveness of corporate support systems
- the firsthand experience reported by active franchisees

What to Include and Timeline

Submissions should include detailed data on investment figures, sales trends, corporate support, and franchisee satisfaction. Entries received by June 22 move into an evaluation period that runs from late June through August, with publication set for September. Past selections from 2011 through 2025 are available in the View Past Reports archive for benchmarking, and procedural questions can go to Ben Coley at [email protected].

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Market Trends

Context matters. According to QSR Pro, the quick-service restaurant market reached $419 billion in sales in 2025, growing 4.8 percent year-over-year and outperforming full-service and casual-dining segments ([qsr.pro](https://qsr.pro/reports/state-of-qsr-2026?utm_source=openai)). Average unit volumes across major chains rose by 6.2 percent in 2025, driven by menu price increases and a 2.1 percent uptick in transaction counts. The International Franchise Association projects a cautious 0.5 percent output growth for QSR franchises in 2026 amid cost pressures and shifting consumer preferences ([qsrmagazine.com](https://www.qsrmagazine.com/story/qsr-franchising-industry-slated-for-cautious-growth-in-2026/)).

Headwinds and Consolidation

The International Franchise Association highlighted that QSR franchises face “cyclical headwinds” from slowing guest demand amid persistent inflation, prompting brands to accelerate menu innovation and AI-led efficiency measures to preserve margins ([qsrmagazine.com](https://www.qsrmagazine.com/story/qsr-franchising-industry-slated-for-cautious-growth-in-2026/)). It added that “larger, well-capitalized operators… poised to acquire additional locations to develop scale, expand market presence, and enhance overall system performance” ([qsrmagazine.com](https://www.qsrmagazine.com/story/qsr-franchising-industry-slated-for-cautious-growth-in-2026/)).

Methodology and Next Steps

QSR makes clear what it evaluates, but it does not disclose specific weightings for each criterion. The program includes a retrospective element that lets readers compare year-over-year selections and assess the consistency of the methodology. Questions remain about how future iterations will adjust to asset-light concepts, AI integration, and demand shifts beyond 2025 projections. For brands, the path is still straightforward: hit the June 22 deadline, follow the guidelines, and aim for a feature that can signal credibility to investors, potential franchisees, and industry partners. The clock is ticking to 11:59 pm on Monday, June 22.

Call for Entries