7 Best Burger Franchises to Open in Illinois

Are you searching for a list of the best burger franchises to open in Illinois?

At Jack in the Box, we understand it can be hard to pick just one because there are so many options to choose from.

In this article, we will highlight seven of the best burger franchises to open in Illinois in no particular order.

Jack in the Box

We simply had to put ourselves on this list because of our innovative menu, flexible restaurant designs, and franchise opportunities in prime U.S. markets.

Jack in the Box offers a large and distinctive 24/7 menu with five dayparts to our customers. This means you can get anything on our menu at any time – day or night.

Plus, our 1,350 square foot prototype features dual drive-throughs for higher order volume and a walk-up window for mobile orders to ensure you’re ready to serve today’s consumer.

When it comes to Illinois, our franchise development team is primarily interested in expanding into the following markets:

• Chicago
• Aurora
• Rockford
• Joliet
• Naperville
• Springfield
• Peoria
• Elgin
• Waukegan
• Cicero
• Champaign
• Bloomington
• Decatur
• Arlington Heights
• Evanston
• Schaumburg
• Bolingbrook
• Palatine
• Skokie
• Des Plaines
• Orland Park
• Tinley Park
• Oak Lawn

These cities meet most of our site requirements and should be a good fit for Jack in the Box based on our Real Estate Planning Software.

If you’re interested in an Illinois market that isn’t listed above, please reach out to our team and we will take a deeper look into your preferred location.

McDonald’s

McDonald’s is one of the most well-known burger franchises in the world. It’s hard to find anyone who isn’t familiar with their “I’m Lovin’ It” advertising campaign.

They currently have more than 38,000 locations in over 100 countries. Approximately 93% of McDonald’s restaurants are owned and operated by independent local business owners.

The availability of restaurants in specific areas is uncertain until you’ve completed your franchisee training. You may be required to relocate to your nearest restaurant opportunity.

Whataburger

The story of Whataburger began at a 24-hour burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. 70 years later, they have grown to more than 890 locations throughout the United States.

Their original idea was to serve a burger so big it took two hands to hold, and so good it caused customers to exclaim, “What a burger!” after their first bite.

Whataburger was family-owned until their recent acquisition by an investment company. This has allowed for more franchises to open in new markets.

Wendy’s

In 1969, Dave Thomas opened the first Wendy’s restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. It didn’t take long for their quick-service chain restaurant to become famous for square beef patties and Frosty desserts.

Today, they operate 7,000 restaurants worldwide and are looking for new and diverse franchisees to join their team.

They have a variety of limited and available markets with select opportunities in the Midwest including Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

Burger King

Burger King currently has more than 7,000 restaurants across the U.S. with opportunities for growth across the U.S. and international markets.

This burger franchise is known for creating signature recipes and providing family-friending dining experiences. Every day, more than 11 million guests visit Burger King restaurants around the world.

They empower franchisees with built-in support for ongoing operations along with training to gain access and know-how across all aspects of the business.

Culver’s

Culver’s is a drive-thru burger franchise known for their frozen custard, butterburgers, and cheese curds.

Since 1984, they have grown from their first location in Sauk City, Wisconsin to more than 800 restaurant locations in 25 different states.

They are looking for owner-operators with the skills to take a team of people and operate a Culver’s according to their high standards.

Freddy’s

Freddy’s is a nostalgic fast-casual restaurant with cooked-to-order steakburgers, hot dogs, shoestring fries, and frozen custard.

They are one of the fastest-growing franchises in the United States with 400 locations around the world.

Currently, they offer exclusive territories that are available across the U.S. along with international opportunities.

Check Out These Additional Resources

We hope this list of the best burger franchises to open in Illinois helped you narrow down your search.

At Jack in the Box, we’re looking for multi-unit franchisees who are excited to bring our craveable 24/7 menu to new markets across the country.

Here are some additional online resources you may like to check out:

• How Much Does a Jack in the Box Franchise Cost?
• 3 Reasons to Buy a Drive-Thru Restaurant Franchise
• Which Burger Franchise Makes the Most Money?

If you have any questions, please contact our franchise sales and support team.