Breaking the myth: Franchises aren’t only for fast food, tea stalls, and restaurants

The Indian franchise landscape in 2026 is buzzing with franchise opportunities in India, yet a lot of people still assume that franchises are only restricted to fast food, tea stalls, and restaurants. This myth was not closer to the truth. Non-food franchises in India are booming in education, retail, as well as services, and provide a wide range of opportunities to an entrepreneur. As the Indian franchise market is estimated to reach USD 140 billion in 2026 (IBEF, 2025), it is these sectors that are transforming the franchise development in India in 2026. This blog breaks this myth by displaying proven opportunities and steps of action to investigate non-food franchises in the vibrant Indian market.

The Expanding Landscape of Franchise Opportunities in India

The idea that franchises are food-related is long gone. Though food franchises occupy a 58 percent market (IBEF, 2025), non-food sectors such as education, retail and services are increasing at 22 percent annually due to the urbanization of India coupled with 300 million middle-income citizens (NITI Aayog, 2025). Franchises covers 18 percent of the opportunities in education, retail 15 percent, and services 10 percent as there is a tendency to move towards various business models (FICCI, 2025).

This is driven by the low risk, time-tested systems and scalability of franchise model, which is attractive to the 1.4 million would-be entrepreneurs in India (MSME Ministry, 2025). Non-food franchises are most successful in the tier-2 and tier-3 cities such as Jaipur and Bhopal with commercial rent being 30-40 times lower as compared to the metros (Colliers India, 2025). Myth busting opens up the opportunities to sectors that are in line with your passion, be it teaching or even technologies services, all supported by verified market trends.

Education Franchises Empowering Next Generation

In 2025, education franchise will be one of the cornerstones of franchise development in India where its market size will be 115 billion (IBEF, 2025). Such brands as Kidzee and BYJU FutureSchool are entering into tier-2 cities, such as Lucknow, and tier-3 cities, such as Raipur, where literacy rates reach 76% (Census 2021). The investments are between ₹5–20 lakh with 12-18 months break-even periods (Franchise India, 2025).

Why education? The skill-based learning is in high demand, and 62% of parents are focused on quality education (Nielsen, 2024). In Bhopal, a childcare center called Kidzee had a 28 percent enrollment growth in 2024 with digital learning laboratories, which were enabled through franchise training (IBEF, 2025). These franchises provide a 6-8% royalty and also have access to the 250 million school-going children in India (NITI Aayog, 2025).

For entrepreneurs interested in this sector, you should also explore education franchise opportunities that provide structured support and training to ensure success in India’s competitive market.

Retail Franchises Tapping Fashion and Wellness

France opportunities are being redefined in India by retail franchises and has a market of 108 billion dollars (IBEF, 2025). Brands such as Tanishq (jewelry) and Lakme Salon (beauty) are trending in Tier-2 cities such as Surat and Indore, and it has investments of ₹10–30 lakh and it breaks even in 15-20 months (FICCI, 2025). The growth of the retail industry in India is 12% per year, with the expenditure of 18-35-year-old people on fashion increasing by 38% (Nielsen, 2024).

In 2024, the revenue of a Lakme Salon in Indore increased by 32 percent by selling low-cost bridal packages, which uses the opportunity provided by the Indian beauty industry of 50 billion dollars (Franchise India, 2025). Retail franchises offer marketing and brand recognition, which is favorable to individuals who do not deal with logistics related to food.

As a way of simplifying the processes and payments, it is important to collaborate with the local suppliers and integrate popular payment systems such as UPI. You may also want to check out retail franchise options for scalable brands in the wellness and fashion sectors.

Service Franchises Offering Low-Cost Ventures

The share of the franchise market growth in India is 10% in service franchises, such as fitness, consulting, and technology, and it can be invested with as low as ₹3–12 lakh (IBEF, 2025). Fitness companies such as Cult.fit are proliferating in the tier-3 cities such as Jamshedpur where the gym memberships increased by 42-percent in 2024 (Fitness India Report, 2025). Consulting franchises such as Aptech provide IT training with one of their units in Patna reporting revenue growth of 20% through serving local SMEs (FICCI, 2025).

Services have low inventory, and thus they are low-risk. A Cult.fit franchise in Raipur performed successfully because it offer yoga classes, which exploited an 18 percent increase in the demand of wellness (IBEF, 2025). These franchises are also ideal to those professionals who decide to become an entrepreneur, as they can prove that franchises are not only about serving chai or burgers.

Networking is key for service franchisees; consider joining business services franchise listings and attending industry meetups to connect with peers and mentors.

Actionable Steps to Launch a Non-Food Franchise in India

To break into non-food franchises, follow these verified steps:

• Align with Your Passion: Choose education for teaching, retail for style, or expertise services. 65% of successful franchisees pick passion-driven sectors (Franchise India, 2025).
• Study Local Markets: Invest ₹5,000–8,000 in a market survey in cities like Bhopal to confirm demand (FICCI, 2025).
• Plan Finances: Budget for ₹3–30 lakh, including 10% contingency. Secure MSME loans at 9–11% interest (RBI, 2025).
• Leverage Support: Use franchise-provided training; 80% of non-food franchises offer marketing support (IBEF, 2025).
• Engage Communities: Host a launch event in Surat, drawing 50–100 visitors to boost awareness by 20% (McKinsey, 2025).

These steps, backed by data, ensure a strong start in India’s non-food franchise market.

The Future of Non-Food Franchise Opportunities in India

The future of India franchise expansion in 2025 is bright and non-food franchises are expected to expand at 20 percent per year (IBEF, 2025). By 2026, education will have the largest market of 130 billion dollars with retail coming in at 15% CAGR (FICCI, 2025). Express programs such as PM Vishwakarma contribute to 1.2 million retail-based franchises based on artisans (MSME Ministry, 2025).

E-commerce integration, with 30% of retail sales online in tier-2 cities (Nielsen, 2024), will further boost non-food franchises. Prepare by learning digital marketing for retail or certification for education franchises. Join TiE India to connect with 25+ entrepreneurs monthly, sharing strategies for success (FICCI, 2025).

Start Your Non-Food Franchise Journey Today

Busting the myth reveals a world of franchise opportunities in India beyond fast food, tea stalls, and restaurants. These areas are scalable and effective whether in the education sector, the retail sector, or also in the services sector. What is in line with your vision? You may begin your franchise with research opportunities available on ForeFind, a survey of your target market and start in the India’s thriving economy.