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Top 50 Franchises that Are NOT Available for E2 Investors

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July 16, 2025

Are you an investor looking to move to the U.S. through the E-2 Visa? The E-2 Visa allows foreigners to legally reside in the U.S. as an owner-operator of a business with a minimum $100,000 investment. We at Visa Franchise, believe that the best opportunity for obtaining your E-2 visa is through a franchise. After all, franchises tend to be well-established businesses with a proven track record of financial success. Overall, they come with lower risk than starting a brand new business.

However, there are some franchises that do not allow E-2 investors to become franchisees. Many of these franchises tend to be very large, expansive franchise systems that are giants in their own industry. As a result, their application process tends to be much more selective.

Below, our team has compiled the top 50 franchises that are NOT available for E-2 investors for any number of reasons. For example, franchises that require multi-unit development agreements tend to not be accessible for foreign investors, while other franchises like Domino’s primarily hire internally, meaning they promote managers and supervisors into franchise investors.

50 Franchises NOT Available for E-2 Investors

1. McDonald's

Number of U.S. Locations: 13,769 (2020)

Year Founded: 1955

Starting Investment Amount: $464,000

McDonald's provides franchises to operate a quick-service restaurant offering a limited menu of value-priced foods. McDonald's is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.

2. Dunkin' Donuts

Number of U.S. Locations: 8,282 (2019)

Year Founded: 1950

Starting Investment Amount: $211,000

Dunkin' offers franchises to operate restaurants featuring Dunkin' coffee, donuts, bagels, and other related food items and beverages. Dunkin' is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry, but it's NOT available for E-2 investors.

3. Domino's Pizza

Number of U.S. Locations: 6,157 (2019)

Year Founded: 1960

Starting Investment Amount: $144,000

Domino's Pizza sells pizza, cheese breads, desserts, and other authorized foods and beverages for delivery and carry-out. Domino's is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.

4. Circle K

Number of U.S. Locations: 5,976 (2019)

Year Founded: 1951

Starting Investment Amount: $614,000

Circle K is a retail convenience store chain offering a wide variety of products for people on the go. Circle K is a franchise concept in the Retail Products and Services industry.

5. Pizza Hut

Number of U.S. Locations: 5,976 (2019)

Year Founded: 1958

Starting Investment Amount: $787,000

Pizza Hut provides franchises to operate restaurants offering pizza, pasta and WingStreet chicken products and side dishes in a traditional location. Pizza Hut Traditional is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.

6. UPS Store

Number of U.S. Locations: 4,773 (2018)

Year Founded: 1980

Starting Investment Amount: $138,433

UPS Store offers franchises for centers featuring business and communication services to be operated at Traditional locations. The UPS Store Traditional is a franchise concept in the Business Services industry. However, it is NOT available for E-2 investors in the USA.

7. KFC

Number of U.S. Locations: 4,035 (2018)

Year Founded: 1930

Starting Investment Amount: $1,010,000

KFC offers franchises to operate a dine-in and carryout KFC outlet selling chicken and other menu items. KFC Traditional is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.

8. Arby’s

Number of U.S. Locations: 3,367 (2020)

Year Founded: 1964

Starting Investment Amount: $320,000

Arby's offers franchises to operate a restaurant featuring deli-inspired sandwiches and complementary side items and desserts. Arby's is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.

9. Jimmy John’s

Number of U.S. Locations: 2,701 (2020)

Year Founded: 1983

Starting Investment Amount: $313,000

Jimmy John's offers franchises to operate a restaurant featuring gourmet deli sandwiches, fresh-baked breads, and other food and beverage products. Jimmy John's is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.

10. Hardee's

Number of U.S. Locations: 2,194 (2020)

Year Founded: 1960

Starting Investment Amount: $1,310,000

Hardee's quick service restaurant offers limited breakfast, lunch, and dinner products and features quick service menu items. Hardee's is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry. This franchise is NOT available for E-2 investors.

11. Planet Fitness

Number of U.S. Locations: 2,050 (2020)

Year Founded: 1992

Starting Investment Amount: $936,600

Planet Fitness is a fitness training facility offering exercise machines, weights, training services, and other related services. Planet Fitness is a franchise concept in the Fitness Centers industry.

12. Chem-Dry

Number of U.S. Locations: 1,831

Year Founded: 1994

Starting Investment Amount: $67,000

Chem-Dry features carpet cleaning, upholstery, and other authorized services to residential and commercial customers. Chem-Dry is a franchise concept in the Home Services industry.

13. Kumon

Number of U.S. Locations: 1,568 (2019)

Year Founded: 1989

Starting Investment Amount: $74,000

Kumon offers franchises to operate an after-school center that provides math and reading programs using the Kumon Method of learning. Kumon is a franchise concept in the Education Programs industry.

14. WingStop Restaurants

Number of U.S. Locations: 1,436 (2020)

Year Founded: 1996

Starting Investment Amount: $376,000

WingStop Restaurants is a franchise brand that sells spicy chicken wings marinated in a variety of hot sauces. WingStop Restaurants is a franchise in the Food and Beverage industry.

*not listed on Vetted Biz website*

15. Valvoline Instant Oil Change

Number of U.S. Locations: 1,275 (2019)

Year Founded: 1986

Starting Investment Amount: $181,000

Valvoline Instant Oil Change is a quick-service engine oil change facility that offers automotive services. Valvoline Instant Oil Change is a franchise concept in the Automotive industry.

16. Cold Stone Creamery

Number of U.S. Locations: 1,252 (2021)

Year Founded: 1988

Starting Investment Amount: $310,000

Cold Stone Creamery is an ice cream parlor that sells ice cream and other related frozen dessert products. Cold Stone Creamery is a franchise in the Food and Beverage industry.

17. Firehouse Subs

Number of U.S. Locations: 1,152 (2020)

Year Founded: 2004

Starting Investment Amount: $89,000

Firehouse of America offers franchises to operate an area representative business that screens prospective franchisees for Firehouse Subs restaurants. Firehouse of America is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.

18. Midas

Number of U.S. Locations: 992 (2019)

Year Founded: 1959

Starting Investment Amount: $198,000

Midas is an automotive service center that repairs tires and brakes and services oil changes. Midas is a franchise concept in the Automotive industry.

19. Edible Arrangements

Number of U.S. Locations: 987 (2019)

Year Founded: 2000

Starting Investment Amount: $173,000

Edible Arrangements sells sculpted fruit floral arrangements, gift baskets made with fresh fruit, and other chocolate and fruit-related products. Edible Arrangements is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.

20. Smoothie King

Number of U.S. Locations: 972 (2019)

Year Founded: 1973

Starting Investment Amount: $269,000

Smoothie King offers a franchise to operate a retail business offering smoothies and other general nutritional products. Smoothie King is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.

21. Baskin-Robbins

Number of U.S. Locations: 894 (2020)

Year Founded: 1945

Starting Investment Amount: $123,000

Baskin-Robbins offers franchises to operate retail restaurants selling ice cream, related frozen products, and other food items. Baskin-Robbins is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.

22. Dairy Queen

Number of U.S. Locations: 885 (2019)

Year Founded: 1962

Starting Investment Amount: $363,075

Dairy Queen offers franchises to operate DQ Treat Stores featuring quick service foods such as soft-serve, treat products, and beverages. Dairy Queen Treat is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.

23. Whataburger

Number of U.S. Locations: 824 (2018)

Year Founded: 1950

Starting Investment Amount: $545,500

Whataburger is a fast food restaurant chain that serves burgers, chicken wings, sandwiches, and other related products. Whataburger is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.

*not listed on Vetted biz website and NOT available for E-2 investors*

24. Fantastic Sams

Number of U.S. Locations: 801 (2020)

Year Founded: 2003

Starting Investment Amount: $215,000

Fantastic Sams is a franchise concept in the Health and Beauty industry. It is NOT available for E-2 investors.

25. Culvers

Number of U.S. Locations: 783 (2020)

Year Founded: 1987

Starting Investment Amount: $2,350,000

Culver's offers a franchise to operate a quick-service restaurant serving burgers, sandwiches, salads, frozen custard desserts, and beverages. Culver's is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.

26. European Wax Center

Number of U.S. Locations: 750 (2019)

Year Founded: 2012

Starting Investment Amount: $356,000

European Wax Center establishes and operates a wax center that offers high-end facial and body waxing and related skin care services. European Wax Center is a franchise concept in the Retail Products and Services industry.

European Wax Center NOT available for E2 investors

27. Comfort Keepers

Number of U.S. Locations: 662 (2019)

Year Founded: 1999

Starting Investment Amount: $91,000

Comfort Keepers is a senior care business that provides hospice care and other home care related services to the elderly. Comfort Keepers is a franchise concept in the Healthcare Services industry.

28. Fastsigns

Number of U.S. Locations: 659 (2020)

Year Founded: 1985

Starting Investment Amount: $218,000

Fastsigns specializes in selling, marketing, producing, installing, and repairing visual communications products. Fastsigns is a franchise concept in the Business Services industry.

29. Home Instead

Number of U.S. Locations: 611 (2019)

Year Founded: 1994

Starting Investment Amount: $108,000

Home Instead is a home healthcare company that provides hospice care for seniors. Home Instead is a franchise concept in the Healthcare Services industry.

30. Checkers

Number of U.S. Locations: 585

Year Founded: 1991

Starting Investment Amount: $780,000

Checker's offers franchises to operate a restaurant featuring a menu of hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and other menu items. Checkers is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.

31. Rita’s Italian Ice

Number of U.S. Locations: 565 (2018)

Year Founded: 2016

Starting Investment Amount: $175,000

Rita’s Italian Ice sells Italian ice, frozen custard, and other specialty frozen dessert products. Rita’s Italian Ice is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.

32. Hooters

Number of U.S. Locations: 341 (2018)

Year Founded: 1984

Starting Investment Amount: $956,000

Hooters offers a limited menu featuring chicken wings and other food and beverage offerings and merchandise. Hooters is a franchise concept in the Food and Beverage industry.