While the elves have been hard at work at the North Pole, carefully crafting the perfect toy for each child, Santa has been focused on his most important job as he prepares for Christmas: making his lists and checking them twice.
And it’s not just the naughty and nice lists for the children. He has kept his eye on top franchise brands this year. Which have gone above and beyond? Which spread the most cheer and embody the most joy?
Franchise Website
Investment Range: $288,200 - $414,350
Unit Count: 20
As a master chocolatier, Peterbrooke is at the top of the list for Santa’s sweet tooth. After a long night of deliveries, there’s no reward better than a box of handcrafted chocolates to enjoy by the fireplace.
Growth Club
Investment Range: $326,614 - $685,657
Unit Count: 17
Santa’s workshop is full of magic, just like each Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream shop. With futuristic rolled ice cream, Chill-N has the perfect treat for kids and elves alike.
1851 Newsroom
Investment Range: $727,440 - $1,825,100
Unit Count: 4,100+ worldwide, 250+ in North America
A great Christmas morning requires a great breakfast spread. With delightful pastries, festive cakes and sweet breads perfect for sharing with loved ones, Paris Baguette provides the joy people seek from the holiday season.
Investment Range: $296,250 - $1,011,500
Unit Count: 440+
Santa must stay alert at the reins! Whether it’s a perfectly brewed coffee or peppermint hot chocolate, BIGGBY® COFFEE is the perfect place to stop and refuel for a night full of present deliveries.
Investment Range: $1,617,128 - $2,740,600
Unit Count: 89
A bubbling pot of melted chocolate or cheese fondue is the definition of a special, joyful treat. And with a group of loved ones surrounding the pot, the festive, communal nature of a fondue meal appeals to Mr. and Mrs. Claus — and all of their elves.
Investment Range: $824,000 - $1,341,500
Unit Count: 14
Nothing is quite as comforting as a warm, fluffy biscuit. Whether they’re topped with fried chicken, eggs and cheddar for a bit more substance or brie, honey, jam and pralines for a sweet treat, Biscuit Belly has Southern-style biscuits that feel like home.
Investment Range: $1,338,020 - $3,677,248
Unit Count: 1,700+ worldwide, 105 in North America
With “jolly” right in the name, this fried chicken classic is hard for Santa to resist. As a family-favorite spot serving up its iconic Chickenjoy, Jollibee checks all the boxes.
Investment Range: $161,925 - $400,200
Unit Count: 13
Santa is all about joy and fun for children, and what’s more fun than a party filled with bounce houses? Busy Bee even takes a page from Santa’s book, delivering the party inflatables directly to the kids and families enjoying them.
Investment Range: $126,880 - $170,110
Unit Count: 7
A practical solution with a joyful twist, Merry Maids is the perfect solution to deliver a clean home following a season of holiday celebrations — one of the best gifts many homeowners can receive.
Investment Range: $98,350 - $267,500
Unit Count: 2
Fueling a round-the-world trip is no small feat. Caffe Aronne offers the high-quality coffee Santa needs to power his late-night present runs, keeping him merry and bright throughout the night.
Investment Range: $184,930 - $337,250
Unit Count: 140+
Cookies for Santa? How about donuts for Santa? And better yet, a van delivering fresh, hot donuts straight to the sleigh is a true Christmas miracle.
Growth Club Website
Investment Range: $124,900 - $307,500
Unit Count: 100+
With shelves packed with candy and novelty beverages, Rocket Fizz is a dream destination for anyone with a sweet tooth. Whether Santa’s searching for stocking stuffers or loading up his own sack of candy, Rocket Fizz has everything he could need.
Investment Range: $241,000 - $570,000
Unit Count: 160+
As the world’s original toymaker, Santa has a special appreciation for places that celebrate play. Bricks & Minifigs gives new life to beloved toys, keeping the magic alive and sparking joy and creativity among children.
Investment Range: $5 million - $12 million
Unit Count: 500+
Like the elves in Santa’s workshop, Build-A-Bear offers children an opportunity to enjoy the magic of toy-making, bringing the joy of creating a new, beloved friend to little ones beyond the North Pole.
Investment Range: $21,550 - $130,750
Unit Count: 240+
Christmas Decor is dedicated to making the season merry and bright. By taking the stress out of holiday light installation, the brand helps homeowners make time for more of what matters most.
Investment Range: $215,550 - $675,000
Unit Count: 1,000+
The warm, sweet scent of Cinnabon is unmistakable, and a bit of holiday magic in itself. Santa would follow his nose straight to a gooey, frosted Cinnabon to top off a long night of present deliveries.
Investment Range: $671,500 - $1,068,700
Unit Count: 60+
With a drive-thru-focused model, Ellianos is built for people on the go. Santa could guide the reindeer through the Ellianos line for a quick pick-me-up to keep his delivery route moving without delay.
Investment Range: $295,415 - $880,344
Unit Count: 170+
Kilwins combines two of Santa’s favorite things: delicious confections and intentional packaging/gift wrapping. From fudge made fresh in-store to boxes of chocolates finished with a bow, Kilwins is a sweet slice of holiday tradition he would adore.
Investment Range: $667,100 - $1,032,500
Unit Count: 660
Nothing “bundt” joy can come from sharing delicious cakes with those you love. From individual bundlets to tiered bundt cake creations, Nothing Bundt Cakes has all of the festive, beautifully decorated treats one could need for a holiday gathering.
Investment Range: $123,603 - $142,428
Unit Count: 40
Wonderly Lights makes the world sparkle, one home at a time. The sparkling exteriors created by Wonderly Lights would bring Santa joy as he guides his sleigh through the night.
From candy and coffee to home services brands that lighten the holiday load, these 20 franchise brands earned the “Ho, ho ho!” of approval this year, making the season bright and setting the bar for cheer.
Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.
In this story
This story was originally published in 1851 Franchise on December 25, 2025. Burnaze summarizes and links to the original reporting.
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