The consumer behavior has changed — and fast food is changing along with it. If in the past, success in the sector depended on large kitchens, extensive menus, and bustling dining areas; today, those leading the transformation are brands with compact operations, efficient management, and a total focus on agility and convenience.
According to the study Foodservice Brazil 2025, conducted by the consultancy Galunion in partnership with Instituto Qualibest, 66% of Brazilians prefer brands that deliver practical, tasty, and hassle-free meals. This data reinforces a market shift: the rise of what experts already call the “new Brazilian fast food” — a lighter, more accessible model aligned with current habits.
More than selling fast food, these franchises sell simple, well-executed experiences that are easy to replicate, with competitive average ticket prices and scaling potential. They are winning over both consumers and investors.
Next, get to know four brands that are at the forefront of this movement.
Crazy for Coxinha
With a compact store format, popular average ticket price, and emotional appeal, Crazy for Coxinha is an example of how a typical product can become a successful brand. The franchise offers a simplified operation, easy to replicate, with high turnover, ideal for malls, street locations, and delivery. Today, it is one of the fastest-growing networks in the snack segment.
- Total estimated initial investment: starting from R$ 131,000
• Average monthly revenue: starting from R$ 40,000
• Return period: 12 to 30 months
Italy in a Box
Italy in Box has bet on the reinvention of traditional Italian cuisine with a focus on logistics and delivery. Its pastas arrive to the customer in smart packaging, which preserves temperature and texture. With optimized operation and standardized menu, the brand combines comfort, taste, and performance — three pillars of modern fast food.
- Initial Investment: $120,000 (including franchise fee)
- Average Monthly Revenue: $100,000
- Payback Period: 18 months
Tastefy
Tastefy (formerly ATW Delivery) operates as a shared dark kitchen, where different brands — like Number One Chicken and Brasileirinho Delivery — function within a single structure. This allows scaling revenue per square meter, optimizing the team, and keeping costs under control. The company invests in AI, adaptable menus, and agile processes, being a reference in innovation in the food service industry.
- Total Estimated Initial Investment: $299,000 (including franchise fee)
- Average Monthly Revenue: $240,000
- Payback Period: 12 to 24 months
Polar Shake
With stores in the United States and direct control from Brazil, Polar Shake has created a model of outsourced management that attracts investors interested in earning in dollars without leaving the country. The franchisor takes care of operations, team, inventory, and monthly closing — the investor monitors everything remotely. The product also stands out for its aesthetic and Instagrammable appeal, focusing on tourists and young adults.
- Total Estimated Initial Investment: starting from $220,000
- Average Monthly Revenue: from $100,000 to $120,000
- Payback Period: 24 to 30 months
