The franchise business model has emerged as one of the most reliable and profitable opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs in India. As the Indian franchise industry expands at an impressive annual rate of 30%, low-investment franchises have gained significant popularity due to their affordability and potential for high returns. This blog will explore the top 10 low-investment franchise businesses for 2025 and why they’re worth considering. Whether you’re a first-time business owner or looking to expand, this list will guide you in making a wise choice.
What Makes a Low-Investment Franchise Worth It?
Before exploring the list, it’s essential to understand the key criteria that define a successful low-investment franchise:
- Affordable Entry Cost: A franchise should require an initial investment accessible for first-time entrepreneurs, typically below ₹20–50 lakh. This affordability makes franchising a viable option for a wide range of individuals.
- High ROI (Return on Investment): A successful low-investment franchise ensures a quick and sustainable ROI. This is achieved through low operational costs, strong customer demand, and efficient management processes, helping franchisees see profits sooner.
- Brand Support and Training: Franchisors offering low-investment franchises often provide comprehensive support, including initial setup assistance, marketing strategies, and operational training. This reduces the burden of starting a business and ensures consistency with the brand’s standards.
- Market Demand and Scalability: Franchises operating in industries with growing or evergreen demand, such as food and Beverage, fitness, or education, are more likely to succeed. Scalability within the business model is also critical, enabling franchisees to expand as they grow.
- Adaptability to Location: A good franchise can be tailored to urban, semi-urban, or rural settings, making it more versatile and profitable in diverse markets.
Now, let’s get to the top 10 low-investment franchise businesses in India for 2025:
1. Food and Beverage
Investment Range: ₹15–₹20 lakh
USP: Authentic cuisines, affordable entry costs, and robust franchisee support.
Why It’s Profitable: Food remains a timeless favourite across India. Unique regional cuisines and popular food categories make this segment stand out for entrepreneurs. Franchisees benefit from a well-established supply chain, marketing support, and high customer retention.
Market Trends: The food and beverage industry is projected to grow by 11% each year, driven by a rising trend in dining out and an increasing demand for local specialities.
2. Fitness and Wellness
Investment Range: ₹10–₹15 lakh
USP: Compact models catering to tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
Why It’s Profitable: With increasing fitness awareness, affordable gyms and wellness studios have become a go-to business idea. These businesses keep costs low while delivering high-quality services and training programs.
Market Trends: The Indian fitness industry is valued at over ₹2,000 crore and is rapidly growing in personalized fitness solutions and smaller setups like home gyms.
3. Cafés and Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs)
Investment Range: ₹12–₹18 lakh
USP: Small setups with customizable menus.
Why It’s Profitable: Cafés remain a hit among millennials and Gen Z. QSRs offer trendy menu options and flexible franchise models that cater to varying budgets, ensuring high footfall and quick turnover.
Market Trends: The QSR market in India is estimated to grow at 23% CAGR, driven by urbanization and the “on-the-go” lifestyle.
4. On-Demand Services
Investment Range: ₹5–₹10 lakh
USP: App-integrated service delivery models.
Why It’s Profitable: With urban lifestyles becoming busier, on-demand services such as laundry and cleaning are in high demand. These businesses provide scalable franchise opportunities with minimal upfront investment.
Market Trends: The on-demand services market is expected to reach $10 billion by 2026, with significant traction in tier-1 and tier-2 cities.
5. Organic and Sustainable Products
Investment Range: ₹7–₹12 lakh
USP: Health and eco-friendly products.
Why It’s Profitable: The organic market is booming as consumers prioritize health and sustainability. Businesses in this segment offer franchisees access to premium-quality products and a loyal customer base.
Market Trends: With annual growth of 20%, the Indian organic market is among the fastest-growing in the world.
6. Automotive Services
Investment Range: ₹15–₹20 lakh
USP: Quick car repair and maintenance services.
Why It’s Profitable: India’s growing vehicle population constantly demands automotive repair services. Streamlined operations and consistent profits make this category highly lucrative.
Market Trends: The automotive repair and maintenance industry is expected to grow at 15% annually, fueled by increased vehicle ownership in smaller cities.
7. Education and Learning Centers
Investment Range: ₹8–₹14 lakh
USP: After-school programs and online learning solutions.
Why It’s Profitable: Education remains one of the most stable and lucrative industries. These businesses combine traditional learning methods with cutting-edge technology, making them attractive franchise options.
Market Trends: The Indian edtech market is projected to grow by 39% CAGR, making blended education centres highly attractive.
8. Beauty and Personal Care
Investment Range: ₹5–₹8 lakh
USP: Affordable services for everyday customers.
Why It’s Profitable: With beauty services in constant demand, budget-friendly setups thrive in urban and semi-urban areas, offering high margins at low costs.
Market Trends: The beauty industry in India is growing at 18% CAGR, with increasing demand for affordable yet professional services.
9. Fast-Casual Dining and Street Food
Investment Range: ₹10–₹15 lakh
USP: Fast-casual dining with trendy menus inspired by street food.
Why It’s Profitable: Street food has a universal appeal, and fast-casual dining businesses package this concept into a modern experience, ensuring quick turnovers and consistent profits.
Market Trends: The fast-casual dining segment is expected to grow at 16% CAGR, appealing to younger demographics.
10. Water and Air Purification Solutions
Investment Range: ₹8–₹13 lakh
USP: Eco-friendly purification systems.
Why It’s Profitable: With quality concerns rising across India, water and air purification solutions offer affordable and innovative technologies, meeting a growing demand in households and businesses.
Market Trends: The market for purification systems is growing at 14% annually, with eco-friendly technologies leading the charge.
Emerging Franchise Trends
As the franchise industry evolves, new trends are shaping the opportunities for entrepreneurs. Here are the key trends that are influencing emerging franchise categories:
- Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Practices:
- Businesses focusing on sustainability, such as organic products and eco-friendly packaging, are gaining traction. Consumers increasingly prioritize environmentally conscious brands, driving the growth of categories like organic and sustainable products and water/air purification solutions.
- Technology Integration:
- On-demand services and educational franchises utilize app-based platforms and digital tools to optimize operations and improve customer experience. Technology is critical to franchise success, especially in urban and tech-savvy markets.
- Health and Wellness Focus:
- The pandemic has accelerated consumer awareness about health and fitness. Franchises in fitness, Wellness, and healthy dining are experiencing significant demand, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
- Regional Specialties in Food and Beverage:
- The demand for authentic and regional cuisines is a key driver in the food sector. Franchises that cater to specific culinary niches, such as Tamil-style biryani, appeal to a broader audience looking for unique dining experiences.
- Affordability and Accessibility:
- Budget-friendly franchises in beauty, personal care, and fast-casual dining are thriving. Their ability to offer affordable services or products to a wide range of consumers makes them highly attractive in semi-urban and rural markets.
- Hybrid Learning Models in Education:
- Blended learning models, combining traditional classroom setups with digital education tools, reshape the education sector. Franchises adopting this hybrid approach are better positioned to cater to modern learning needs.
These trends highlight the dynamic nature of the franchise industry and the opportunities available for entrepreneurs willing to adapt to changing consumer preferences and market demands.
Market Share Comparison Across Categories
Each category’s market share is driven by distinct factors that make it appealing to entrepreneurs and consumers. Here’s an overview of what drives the success of each:
- Food and Beverage (30%): This sector’s dominance is fueled by the universal demand for food and the rise in dining-out trends. Regional specialities like biryani and fast-casual formats ensure consistent footfall and profitability. Food also adapts well to urban and semi-urban markets, making it highly scalable.
- Fitness and Wellness (10%): Growing health consciousness among Indians is a major driver. Compact gym models and affordable wellness solutions make it easier for tier-2 & tier-3 cities to adopt fitness trends, boosting growth in this category.
- Cafés and Quick-Service Restaurants (QSRs) (12%): The appeal lies in the “on-the-go” lifestyle of urban consumers, and the popularity of cafés among millennials and Gen Z. Customizable menus and trendy food options cater to changing tastes, driving QSR growth.
- On-Demand Services (8%): Urban lifestyles with limited time for chores create demand for services like laundry, cleaning, and home repairs. Integrating app-based models further enhances convenience, making this a fast-growing category.
- Organic and Sustainable Products (10%): Rising awareness about health and sustainability drives this segment. With consumers seeking eco-friendly and organic alternatives, this category is rapidly gaining traction, especially in urban markets.
- Automotive Services (10%): The growing number of vehicles in India, particularly in smaller cities, ensures a steady demand for maintenance and repair services. Streamlined operations and the need for regular servicing contribute to the sector’s stability.
- Education and Learning Centers (8%): Increasing academic competition and the rise of edtech solutions have driven demand for blended learning programs. After-school support and technology-driven education are key factors fueling growth in this sector.
- Beauty and Personal Care (5%): This category appeals due to a rising focus on self-care and affordable beauty services. Semi-urban markets are particularly lucrative as demand expands beyond significant cities.
- Fast-Casual Dining and Street Food (5%): The popularity of street food, packaged into modern, hygienic dining experiences, attracts younger consumers. This segment thrives on quick service and trendy menu offerings.
- Water and Air Purification Solutions (2%): Increasing concerns about pollution and water quality drive demand for eco-friendly purification systems. While a niche category, it addresses critical needs, ensuring steady growth potential.
Why Food Franchises Dominate the Low-Investment Space
Food franchises lead in growth for several compelling reasons:
- Evergreen Demand: Food is a universal necessity, and dining out remains a cultural and social activity. Popular dishes like biryani ensure steady demand across various demographics.
- Adaptability: Food businesses can thrive in diverse markets, from bustling urban centres to semi-urban and rural areas. This adaptability allows food franchises to cater to a broad audience.
- High-Profit Margins: Strategic pricing, efficient supply chains, and strong customer loyalty often result in higher margins than other franchise categories.
- Regional Specialties: The growing preference for authentic and regional cuisines, such as Tamil-style biryani, gives food franchises an edge. These specialities attract a loyal customer base and stand out in competitive markets.
- Scalability: Food franchises present an appealing modular model, empowering entrepreneurs to begin on a small scale and grow their businesses as demand rises. This scalability makes them attractive for first-time business owners.
- Social Trends: Urbanization and the rise of nuclear families have boosted the trend of eating out or ordering food, particularly among younger demographics and working professionals.
These factors position food franchises like Infinity Biryani franchise as the top choice for entrepreneurs looking for low-investment, high-growth opportunities. Food franchises, especially those offering regional cuisines like biryani, continue to dominate the low-investment space for several reasons:
- Evergreen Demand: People always eat out, especially for popular dishes like biryani.
- Scalability: Food businesses can quickly adapt to different locations and demographics.
- High-Profit Margins: With proper supply chain management, food franchises often deliver excellent ROI.
Why Infinity Biryani is the Best Choice
Among the top 10, Infinity Biryani is a game-changer for aspiring entrepreneurs. Here’s why:
- Unique Offering: Tamil-style biryani that captures the hearts of food lovers across India.
- Affordable Setup: Start with as little as ₹15 lakh, with minimal risk.
- Comprehensive Support: Training, marketing, and operational guidance to ensure success.
- High Demand: Biryani’s popularity guarantees a steady flow of customers.
How to Get Started
Ready to take the plunge into the franchise world? Here’s how you can start with Infinity Biryani:
- Contact the Infinity Biryani team to learn about franchise opportunities.
- Discuss investment details and location preferences.
- Receive training and support to launch your outlet successfully.
Key Takeaways
Low-investment franchises offer a golden opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to start their businesses with minimal risk. From food to education and automotive services, the options are vast. However, if you’re looking for a proven, high-demand business with excellent ROI, Infinity Biryani is the ultimate choice.
Don’t wait—join the Infinity Biryani family today and take your first step toward entrepreneurial success!
