TOP 10

STARTUP COSTS : $ 550,000 – $ 650,000 FRANCHISE FEE : $ 35,000 ROYALTY : 5 % of net sales

With trendy fresh food and an admirable reputation for charity work and other good deeds , Panera Bread is growing quickly and thriving in today ’ s consumer environment . With Forbes reporting only three store closures in the last three years , it ’ s a solid option . The only potential downside is that it ’ s purely for the high roller – Panera Bread expects franchisees to have the capital to quickly launch aa series of locations ( the company recommends 15 ), and requires a net worth of at least $ 3 million and an initial investment of up to $ 650,000 to get started .

www . panerabread . com

42 September 2014