Mumbai, the “City of Dreams,” is more than just India’s financial center; it’s also a place where entrepreneurs can thrive and smart investors can find a dynamic market. The city is perfect for established business models because it has a lot of people living there and a customer base that always wants convenience, quality, and new things. Because of the high number of transactions and the fast pace of life, quick-service restaurants, essential services, and small-format retail ideas do very well here.
Also, the proven structure of a franchise in Mumbai makes starting a new business much less risky. You get the immediate benefit of a well-known brand name and a reliable supply chain. This stability is especially appealing because the city’s real estate and operating costs are so high. The franchise business in India is growing at a fantastic rate.
In big cities like Mumbai, the food and drink segment alone often sees annual growth rates in the high double digits. In this article, we will guide you through the lucrative franchise landscape in Mumbai, showcasing the top brands and providing a step-by-step checklist to help you make your best business decision.
Mumbai’s Franchise Landscape: What Makes It Attractive?
Mumbai is an excellent place for franchise businesses because it has a vast, diverse population and a fast-paced way of life. Here are a few reasons that make Mumbai’s franchise landscape attractive:
- Different Types of Customers: The market serves everyone, from wealthy people to students, making sure that franchised products are widely used.
- Brand Loyalty: People are more likely to trust a brand that has been around for a while. This makes it easier for a new franchise in Mumbai to get off the ground.
- High Footfall Areas: Places like railway stations, corporate hubs, and malls that are well-planned will always have a lot of people passing through and seeing your business.
- Robust Logistics Network: The existing efficient infrastructure, including delivery apps and courier services, supports rapid business scaling.
- A Good Entrepreneurial Spirit: Mumbai’s culture supports new businesses, and the franchise model is a safer way to start a business.
Which Franchise Makes the Most Money in Mumbai? (According to 2025 Metrics)
According to 2025 metrics for Mumbai, the franchise that makes the most money by profitability and fast ROI is Ajay’s Cafe. It is recognized as India’s fastest-growing and best food franchise with over 190 outlets across 44 cities. Other high-profit franchises with larger investments include premium service franchises like CarzSpa, reputed food brands like Domino’s Pizza and KFC, and retail franchises like Lenskart.
Top Franchise Sectors for Mumbai
The sector a franchise works in has a significant impact on how well it does in Mumbai, because it reflects the primary needs and buying habits of the city’s residents. Here are some top franchise sectors in Mumbai:
| Sector | Key Features & Examples | Investment Range | ROI Timeline | Suitable Locations |
| Food & Beverage | Fast food (Domino’s, Subway), Cafes (CCD) | ₹9.99 lakh – ₹90 lakh | 12–36 months | Malls, stations, corporate hubs |
| Laundry & Dry Cleaning | Urban demand for convenience | Varies | 12–24 months | Residential complexes, commercial zones |
| Fitness & Wellness | Cult.Fit, Gold’s Gym, Yoga House | Moderate to high | 18–36 months | Upscale residential, IT hubs |
| Retail | Fashion, electronics, grocery | Varies | 18–36 months | High footfall markets like Linking Road |
| Beauty & Salon | Lakme Salon, Naturals | Moderate | 18–30 months | Urban centers, malls |
| Courier & Logistics | DTDC, Delhivery, Blue Dart | Moderate | 12–24 months | Industrial areas, business parks |
| Education & EdTech | Online learning platforms | Low to moderate | 12–36 months | Schools, residential areas |
| Healthcare & Pharmacy | Apollo Pharmacy, MedPlus | Moderate | 18–36 months | Near clinics, hospitals, residential areas |
Top 12 Franchise in Mumbai (2026 Edition)
1. Wow! Momo
Wow! Sagar Daryani and Binod Homagai, two college friends, started Momo in Kolkata in 2008 with a small kiosk. The brand grew quickly by making the popular street food, the momo, more consistent and adding new types like Moburgs and Melee fries.
They also want to become a multi-brand QSR business. According to the most recent reports, the brand has opened more than 600 stores in 35 cities, demonstrating its impressive ability to grow. In addition, Wow! Momo does well because people in the city love street food that is packaged safely.
- Franchise Fee: ₹2 Lakhs to ₹5 Lakhs
- Investment Needed: ₹20 Lakhs to ₹35 Lakhs
- Profit Margin: 15% to 25% (Net on Sales)
- Apply Link: https://www.wowmomo.com/franchise-form/
2. Goli Vada Pav
Venkatesh Iyer and Shivdasan started Goli Vada Pav in 2004 to turn the simple Vada Pav into a global fast-food brand. They made a new, cleaner, and more standard version of this famous Mumbai street food. In addition, Goli pioneered the use of a proprietary process that uses IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) Vada Pav patties, ensuring consistent taste across all locations. This innovative model makes it easy to run a kitchen and lets the business grow quickly. Goli Vada Pav has found a niche in the affordable, ethnic fast-food market with more than 300 locations in 20 states.
- Goli Vada Pav Franchise Fee: ₹8 to ₹12 Lakhs
- Investment Needed: ₹10 Lakhs to ₹15 Lakhs
- Profit Margin: 15% to 20% (Net on Sales)
- Apply Link: https://m.golivadapav.com/
3. Jumboking
Dheeraj Gupta started Jumboking in 2001 in Mumbai to become the “Indian Burger.” It is another crucial player in the Vada Pav market. The brand has become one of the biggest QSR chains that serves vegetarian fast food, and it puts a lot of emphasis on cleanliness and consistent recipes.
They also have a wide range of food options, including wraps and sides, in addition to the usual Vada Pav. Also, it is very common in places with a lot of foot traffic, like metro stations and corporate parks in many cities. Jumboking is a well-known and well-established name in Mumbai.
- Franchise Fee: ₹4 Lakhs (one-time, plus GST)
- Investment Needed: ₹35 Lakhs to ₹60 Lakhs
- Profit Margin: 8% to 15% (Net on Sales)
- Apply Link: https://www.jumboking.co.in/own-a-jumboking-franchise/
4. Tea Time
Uday Srinivas Tangella started Tea Time in 2016. It quickly grew from a small kiosk to one of India’s biggest and most successful tea franchise chains. The brand’s primary goal is to offer high-quality, low-cost chai and snacks that millions of people eat every day.
Also, the model is set up so that it doesn’t cost much to start and makes a lot of money, which makes it very appealing to new business owners. Moreover, the fact that it doesn’t need much space is a big plus for a franchise in Mumbai. They have more than 3,000 stores across the country as of the most recent data, and models like the Tea Time Franchise further demonstrate how compact, low-investment formats can scale successfully across urban locations.
- Franchise Fee: Estimated ₹4-5 Lakhs
- Investment Needed: ₹5 Lakhs to ₹7 Lakhs
- Profit Margin: 40% to 80% (yearly ROI)
- Apply Link: https://teatimegroup.com/unit-franchise/
5. DTDC Courier and Cargo
Subhasish Chakraborty started DTDC (Desk to Desk Courier & Cargo) in 1990, and it has since grown to become one of India’s top express logistics companies. It has a vast network of more than 14,000 locations around the world, with more than 5,800 channel partners in India alone.
The reason why the DTDC franchise system keeps attracting attention is that it does not necessitate a large amount of money to be invested right away, and profits are generated through the collection of booking charges from parcel customers. Besides, the widely recognized brand name and the assistance in operations make it a great service-based franchise unit selection in Mumbai, which is continuously buzzing with business.
- Franchise Fee: ₹50,000 to over ₹5 lakh
- Investment Needed: ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh
- Profit Margin: High Commission-based ROI (Usually 80% ROI expected)
- Apply Link: https://www.dtdc.com/partner/
6. Naadbramha Idli
People are starting to like Naadbramha Idli because it serves clean, real, and tasty South Indian food, especially the idli, which is what the restaurant is named after. The main objective of the brand is to produce the food in a fast, clean and uniform manner so that it tastes good and is a feasible franchising option for numerous locations in Mumbai.
With its uncomplicated, specialized menu and minimal operational complexity, it is a QSR with great potential that primarily targets health-conscious customers. Besides, this model allows you to do a large volume of sales during breakfast and snack hours.
- Franchise Fee: ₹10 to ₹15 lakhs
- Investment Needed: Estimated ₹8 Lakhs to ₹15 Lakhs
- Profit Margin: Estimated Net Profit Margin: 20% to 25%
- Apply Link: https://naadbramha.com/franchisee-enquiry-for-idli
7. The Belgian Waffle Company
Shrey Aggarwal started the Belgian Waffle Co. in 2015, and it quickly became a hit by making waffles a quick, easy, and cheap dessert and snack option in India. It came up with the idea of the “Waff-wich,” which is easy to eat on the go. In addition, the brand’s success is based on a simple, proper kitchen setup and a product line that looks great in photos. Moreover, getting a franchise in Mumbai is a great way to get into the city’s lively youth and dessert market because it has locations in more than 100 cities and hundreds of stores.
- Franchise Fee: ₹2.5 Lakhs (Unit Fee)
- Investment Needed: ₹20 Lakhs to ₹30 Lakhs
- Profit Margin: 40% (expected return on investment)
- Apply Link: https://thebelgianwaffle.co/franchiseapplication/
8. BigDeal Supermart
BigDeal Supermart is a newer company in the organized retail franchise space. It has a modern supermarket model that uses technology. The brand was started not too long ago and focuses on offering a wide range of daily groceries, necessities, and ready-to-eat meals in a clean, easy-to-reach place.
Moreover, the model is easy to set up, taking only 45 days, and it comes with full technical support and inventory management. A supermarket franchise in Mumbai is also a recession-proof business that meets basic household needs and provides long-term stability in any neighborhood.
- Franchise Fee: ₹5,00,000 and ₹15,00,000
- Investment Needed: ₹10 Lakhs to ₹20 Lakhs
- Profit Margin: 30% (Expected Return on Investment)
- Apply Link: https://www.bigdealsupermart.com/start-your-franchise
9. Amul Ice Cream Parlour
The Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) runs Amul, which is one of India’s oldest and most trusted dairy brands. It was founded in 1946. Its Scooping Parlour franchise format takes advantage of the brand’s strong recognition and wide range of ice cream and dairy products.
The best thing about this model is that it doesn’t cost much to start, and there are no royalties or profit-sharing fees. Moreover, the brand gives money to help with equipment and branding, which makes it a very low-risk and high-demand franchise in Mumbai for someone who wants to start their own business—especially for those exploring popular options like the Amul Franchise.
- Franchise Fee: ₹1.5 lakhs to ₹10 lakhs
- Investment Needed: ₹5 Lakhs to ₹6 Lakhs (for the Scooping Parlour)
- Profit Margin: 20% profit on ice cream and 50% profit on recipe-based items
- Apply Link: https://amul.com/m/amul-franchise-business-opportunity
10. Domino’s Pizza
Jubilant FoodWorks runs Domino’s Pizza in India. The company has more than 1,400 stores across the country and is the most significant player in the pizza delivery market. The brand was started in the US in 1960 and is now known all over the world. Its operational efficiency is very high, especially with its 30-minute delivery model.
However, the process for getting a Domino’s franchise in Mumbai is very picky, mainly looking at internal candidates with management experience, because the operations are so complicated and the investment is so high. The strong brand recall brings in a lot of customers and sales.
- Franchise Fee: ₹4.5 lakh for the initial fee and ₹2.25 lakh for subsequent ones
- Investment Needed: ₹30 Lakhs to ₹70 Lakhs (Estimated, High Side for a New Unit)
- Profit Margin: Estimated net profit on sales: 8% to 15%
- Apply Link: https://www.jubilantfoodworks.com/franchise-information
11. MBA Chaiwala
Prafull Billore started MBA Chaiwala just as a small tea stand on the side of the road. Within a short span of time, it became a national brand due to smart marketing and an impressive personal story. The brand came into existence in 2017 and is essentially based on a trendy, youth-catered café vibe and a straightforward yet highly profitable menu that mainly consists of tea and quick snacks.
Also, the concept has the potential for considerable growth, and it depends mainly on the word of mouth generated by its marketing to attract customers. Mumbai’s MBA Chaiwala franchise would be a great business opportunity for the local entrepreneurs who want to combine the hospitality business with a well-known brand, as the initial investment is low.
- Franchise Fee: Kiosk model franchise fee listed as around ₹5 lakh, and the dine-in model is around ₹6.5 lakh
- Investment Needed: Estimated ₹8 Lakhs to ₹25 Lakhs
- Profit Margin: Estimated Net Profit Margin: 25% to 30%
- Apply Link: https://mbachaivalalearning.vercel.app/
12. Tumble Dry
Since it started in 2019, TumbleDry has grown quickly in cities like Mumbai and is now one of India’s most oversized organized laundry and dry-cleaning chains. The brand uses top-of-the-line machines to provide professional services like laundry, dry cleaning, and specialized cleaning for shoes and bags.
This model is an excellent choice for a non-food franchise in Mumbai because it meets the needs of busy, working professionals who want things to be easy. Moreover, the business model also has high margins and steady income.
- Franchise Fee: ₹2.36 lakhs
- Investment Needed: Estimated ₹15 Lakhs to ₹20 Lakhs
- Profit Margin: 50% (Possible Gross Profit Margin)
- Apply Link: https://tumbledry.in/franchise-opportunity/
How to Choose the Right Franchise in Mumbai: Step-by-Step Checklist
Choosing the right franchise in Mumbai is a big decision that needs careful thought and a planned approach. The most critical steps in this process are as follows:
- Self-Assessment: First, make sure you know exactly how much money you can invest, including the franchise fee, initial inventory, and working capital for at least six months.
- Market Study: Check the demographics of your favorite Mumbai area (like Bandra, Andheri, or Thane) to see if the product or service really meets the needs of the people there and the competition.
- Franchisor: Check the franchisor’s history, including how many stores they have, how fast they grow each year, and whether they have a strong presence across India.
- Legal Scrutiny: Have a lawyer carefully read the franchise agreement, paying close attention to the terms for renewal, termination, and the ongoing royalty fees.
- Validation Calls: Get in touch with a few current franchise owners in Mumbai from the brand and ask them about support, supply chain reliability, and the actual break-even time.
Conclusion
One of the most exciting and safe ways to start a business in India is to open a franchise in Mumbai. You get a huge head start by picking a brand with a proven model, like the ones that do well in the food and beverage, retail, and service industries. Keep in mind that to be successful in this competitive city, you need to do a lot of research, find a location with a lot of foot traffic, and partner with a franchisor who will give you strong, ongoing support.
Even so, the city’s dynamic economy and high demand from consumers make a well-chosen franchise a good way to make money. Take the leap, do your homework, and your franchise in the City of Dreams could very well become a dream come true.
FAQs
What franchise in Mumbai makes the most money?
QSR franchises like Tea Time or Amul Ice Cream Parlour are very profitable because they don’t require a lot of money to start, sell a lot of products, and reach a lot of people every day.
What is the least expensive franchise to start?
Kiosk or single-unit models are usually the least expensive choices. DTDC Courier & Cargo is one of the cheapest options, with a starting investment of less than ₹1 lakh. This is because it only needs a small office and a security deposit that can be returned.
Which franchise is the best for less than 5 lakh?
The Tea Time franchise is one of the best options for less than ₹5 lakh. It has a low all-inclusive investment, a simple way to run the business, and a rapid return on investment because there is a lot of demand for cheap chai.
What kind of business is 100% profitable?
Every business has costs, taxes, and risks, so no business is 100% profitable. But models with low overhead and high markup, like Amul Ice Cream Parlour, which doesn’t charge a royalty, get very close by maximizing gross margins.
What does the 7-day rule mean for franchises?
In India, the “7-day rule” is a common practice (but not a formal law). It says that a franchisor should give a potential franchisee the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) at least 7 days before signing any agreement or paying any initial fee so that they have time to read it.
