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.
Contents
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.

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.

33. Interim Healthcare
Number of U.S. Locations: 333 (2019)
Year Founded: 1967
Star
Discover if you qualify to invest in a thriving U.S. franchise and secure your E-2 visa.
Check your eligibility
More Insights You Might Like
Explore related articles packed with expert advice, real stories, and practical tips to support your U.S. visa and relocation journey.