Franchisee salary: how much does a restaurant franchisee earn?

Are you a restaurant owner considering becoming a franchisee, or are you already one? You're probably wondering how much a restaurant franchisee can expect to earn in 2025. That's a good question, because behind the posted sales figures lie very different realities, depending on management, location and the franchise model chosen.

In this article, you'll discover precise figures and practical advice on how to improve your remuneration as a franchisee in the restaurant sector.

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1. Restaurant franchise salaries: the truth behind the figures

Understanding the difference between sales and franchise salary

In the restaurant business, sales and real remuneration are two very different concepts. Sales of €700,000 do not mean that the franchisee pockets €700,000. A large proportion of this goes on operating costs, franchise fees, rent, staff salaries, raw materials, etc.

On average, the net profitability of a restaurant franchisee is around 8 to 12% of sales. In this case, it would be between 56,000 and 84,000 euros. 

Case in point: two franchisees in Paris

Take two franchised restaurants in Paris, each generating annual sales of €600,000:

• Franchisee A keeps costs under control: raw materials 28%, payroll 27%, royalties 6%. He generates a net margin of around 12%, representing an annual remuneration of €72,000.
  
• Franchisee B suffers inventory losses, salaries are less optimized, net margin falls to 6%, i.e. only €36,000 net.
  

The day-to-day running of your business has a considerable impact on your salary as a franchisee.

The impact of expenses on your franchise fee

To find out how much you really have left at the end of the month, you need to pay attention to your biggest expenses:

• Franchise fee, generally between 4% and 8% of sales excluding VAT,
  
• Commercial rent, which can represent up to 10% of sales, depending on location,
  
• The cost of raw materials, generally around 30-35% in foodservice,
  
• Salaries and social security contributions, which are often between 25 and 30%,
  
• Not to mention local marketing, energy, maintenance and other day-to-day costs.

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2. How to boost your salary as a restaurant franchisee

Controlling material costs: an absolute priority

Every euro, or even every cent, you save on your raw materials purchases can make a big difference at the end of the year. In practical terms, this means doing a few simple but effective things:

• Negotiate prices with your suppliers. Don't let anything pass you by, it's worth spending a little time on it.
  
• Reduce food waste. An often underestimated expense that can easily be avoided if properly monitored.
  
• Adjust portions. Not too much, not too little, to reduce waste and keep your customers happy.
  
• Favoring short circuits to optimize quality/price.

To give you an idea, if you reduce your material cost from 32% to 29%, on sales of €300,000, that's up to €9,000 more net in your pocket every year. 

Optimizing payroll without sacrificing service quality

After raw materials, your teams' salaries are often the most important expense to manage. But don't overlook service quality. Rather than cutting staff numbers, consider :

• Adjust schedules to suit off-peak and peak times,
  
• Train your teams regularly, to make them faster, more efficient and more autonomous,
  
• Limit unscheduled overtime,
  
• Use staff management tools that help you anticipate attendance and organize schedules without stress.
  

Track your KPIs

Finally, to stay on top of your franchisee's salary, you need to have the right indicators in front of you. Here's what you need to pay close attention to:

• Gross margin,
  
• Material costs as a percentage of sales,
  
• Labor costs,
  
• Average ticket per customer,
  
• And of course, table attendance or rotation.
  
  

Keep these figures up to date, consult them frequently and you'll be able to spot quickly if something is wrong and react before it affects your earnings.

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3. Location, local marketing and seasonality: their influence on franchise wages

A good location is a real asset. The more easily accessible and visible your restaurant is, the more likely you are to have stable sales. Of course, this comes at a price: rents in good locations can rise quickly.

Local marketing shouldn't be neglected either. Organizing a few events, launching targeted promotions or taking care of your presence on social networks - all these initiatives attract people and build customer loyalty.

And then there's seasonality. If you're in a tourist area, you can expect off-season lows. You need to anticipate and adjust your expenses to keep your salary stable. 

👉 To find out more : 8 key data to boost your franchise's profitability in 2025

4. When does your restaurant franchise become profitable?

Average time to profitability

In general, it takes between 18 and 30 months to break even in a franchised restaurant business. But beware, this is an average. It all depends on a number of factors: the initial investment, the way you manage your day-to-day costs and, of course, the business model you've chosen.

Business model: fast food vs. traditional restaurants

If you're working on a fast-food concept, you often have a head start: smaller premises, smaller team, greater flow, etc. The return on investment is generally faster.Return on investment is generally faster.

A traditional restaurant, on the other hand, requires more staff, more floor space and therefore higher costs. It's a model that generally takes a little longer to become profitable, but which can also offer considerable long-term stability if the clientele is good.

Monitor financial indicators to adjust strategy

In the final analysis, what makes the difference is your ability to manage your business. Keeping track of your financial indicators (margin, expenses, profitability per day of opening, etc.) enables you to spot what's getting in the way, adjust your strategy in real time and protect your franchisee's salary over the long term.

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5. Digitization and customer experience: your best allies in boosting earnings

Boost average ticket sales with a good customer experience

Improving the customer experience isn't just a question of image, it's a way of directly influencing your average basket. Offering a well-thought-out menu, highlighting complementary products or creating "starter + main course + dessert" offers at smart prices, all encourage your customers to consume a little more, without blowing up your material costs. For you, this means greater profitability and a direct impact on your income.

Increase efficiency with the right digital tools

Order terminals, Click & Collect and automated inventory management are real allies when it comes to streamlining your day-to-day service. Fewer errors at the checkout, greater speed in the kitchen and better served customers.

Stay in control with the right indicators

It's impossible to effectively manage your business without tracking your key indicators . key indicators. With a modern cash register solution like Innovorder, you can track your sales, margins and product performance in real time. The more visibility you have on your performance, the more relevant and profitable your choices will be.

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6. Profitable restaurant franchising 2025: which sectors to focus on?

Fast food: a model that continues to perform well

Yes, competition is tough, but fast food remains a solid model, with margins that are often attractive and a faster return on investment than in other formats. So, if you're looking for a profitable franchise without waiting 3 years to see the profits, this is an avenue worth exploring.

Premium snacks and dark kitchens: concepts in tune with the times

New models such as high-end snacking and dark kitchens are becoming increasingly popular. Why? Because they require less up-front investment, rely heavily on digital technology, and allow for the testing of flexible offerings. The advantage? Less structural expenditure, and often faster financial performance.

Focus on innovation and commitment

In 2025, customers expect more than just good products. They are increasingly attentive to the origin and composition of what they consume... By positioning yourself in terms of quality, transparency or eco-responsibility, you're putting all the chances on your side to build customer loyalty. You can also justify a higher price and thus improve your margins.

👉 Going further: 4 tips for improving franchise profitability

Your salary as a restaurant franchisee in 2025 will depend as much on controlling your costs as on your ability to optimize the customer experience and digitalize your management. Clever sourcing, strategic location, a well-trained team, a well-thought-out offer, all precisely and regularly monitored, no doubt you'll see your pay rise. The rule is simple: the better you manage, the more you earn. 

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Do you want to maximize your revenues and run your outlet efficiently? Innovorder solutions are designed to support franchisees like you, simplifying day-to-day management and improving your profitability. Talk to one of our experts!