What franchises are available in North Carolina?

North Carolina supports franchises across industries including fast food, fitness, cleaning, home services, and more. Total franchise investment typically ranges from $10,000 (Chick-fil-A) to $2M+ (Ace Hardware), depending on the brand and location. Browse all franchise options at FranchiseBudget.com for detailed FDD-based investment data.

What is the franchise market opportunity in North Carolina?

North Carolina is rated a fair market for franchise businesses with an average opportunity score of 54/100. There are approximately 24 franchise businesses across 853 ZIP codes. Top-scoring area: ZIP 27502. Scores factor in walkability, median income, population density, and existing competition.

What are the best locations for a franchise in North Carolina?

The best franchise locations in North Carolina combine high walkability (foot traffic), strong median incomes, and manageable competition. See our Best Locations page for North Carolina to get the top 20 ZIP codes ranked by opportunity score.

How much does it cost to open a franchise in North Carolina?

Franchise costs vary widely. Entry-level franchises in North Carolina can start under $50,000 (cleaning, service franchises), while food franchises like McDonald's or Subway require $230,000–$2.3M total investment. Franchise fees, royalty rates, and build-out costs are detailed for each brand at FranchiseBudget.com.

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Franchise Costs in North Carolina

Aggregated from 853 ZIP codes · Data updated March 2026

Best Markets in NC ›

Avg Opportunity Score

Fair

11 Million

Total Population

$60 Thousand

Avg Median Income

Registered Franchise Businesses

North Carolina has 24 registered franchise businesses across 853 ZIP codes, serving a population of 11 Million. Median household income averages $59,694 — 15,306 below the national median.

Mixed picture. The 54/100 state average covers a wide spread: a few standout ZIP codes, a lot of middling ones. Competition runs about 0.0 businesses per ZIP. Location selection matters more here than in higher-scoring states.

Top ZIP Codes in North Carolina

See all 20 ›

ZIP 27502 Pop. 47 Thousand

$140 Thousand

med. income

100

score

ZIP 28104 Pop. 36 Thousand

$130 Thousand

med. income

100

score

ZIP 28075 Pop. 22 Thousand

$140 Thousand

med. income

100

score

ZIP 28036 Pop. 22 Thousand

$140 Thousand

med. income

100

score

ZIP 27513 Pop. 47 Thousand

$120 Thousand

med. income

100

score

ZIP 27614 Pop. 33 Thousand

$120 Thousand

med. income

100

score

ZIP 27613 Pop. 44 Thousand

$120 Thousand

med. income

100

score

ZIP 27608 Pop. 13 Thousand

$160 Thousand

med. income

100

score

ZIP 27517 Pop. 29 Thousand

$120 Thousand

med. income

100

score

#10

ZIP 27518 Pop. 19 Thousand

$120 Thousand

med. income

100

score

Best Markets

See the top 20 ZIP codes in North Carolina ranked by opportunity score with full breakdowns.

Best Franchise Businesses Markets in North Carolina

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Best locations in North Carolina ›

Data sources: Census Bureau American Community Survey 2023, USDA National Walkability Index 2021, County Business Patterns 2022, FDIC Summary of Deposits 2023.