Opens in a new tab

FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Golden Krust Franchise

Golden Krust Caribbean Restaurant is an American fast casual franchise serving authentic Jamaican and Caribbean cuisine, founded in 1989 in the Bronx, New York. The brand draws on a family recipe heritage dating to a bakery established in Jamaica in 1949, and began franchising in 1996 as the first Caribbean-owned business in the US to receive a franchise license.

Franchisees operate brick-and-mortar restaurants under two concepts: the Traditional format, a full-format Caribbean dining experience, and Jerk ‘N Patties, a smaller end-cap design for high-traffic locations. The menu centers on the brand’s signature Jamaican patties in beef, chicken, and vegetable varieties, alongside jerk chicken, oxtail, curried goat, rice and peas, and fresh baked goods.

Golden Krust operates over 100 franchise restaurants across nine US states, concentrated in the Northeast with growing presence in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. The brand also runs a manufacturing division producing over 40 million patties annually for grocery retail and foodservice distribution, supporting consumer recognition well beyond its restaurant footprint.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no Golden Krust resales available
Register your interest

Why buy a Golden Krust Franchise?

To buy a Golden Krust franchise is to enter a niche with few direct competitors at scale in US fast casual dining. As the first Caribbean-owned business to receive a US franchise license, with recipe roots extending to 1949, the brand carries genuine heritage recognition among Caribbean-American communities. That recognition supports a loyal repeat customer base that new market entrants cannot easily replicate.

The dual-concept model adds buyer flexibility: a full-format Traditional restaurant for destination dining, or the Jerk ‘N Patties end-cap format suited to high-traffic locations. The brand’s manufacturing operation supplies grocery retail and foodservice channels, building consumer recognition beyond restaurant locations. Third-party delivery integration and non-GMO verified menu items extend the brand’s reach across customer segments.

Golden Krust Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1989

    • Franchising Since

      1996

    • New Startup Cost

      $212,600 – $775,900

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $40,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $10,000

    • Royalty Fee

      5%

      of Gross Sales or $250/week min

    • Marketing Fee

      1.50%

      of Gross Sales

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      103

    • New Units Opened *

      3

    • Units Transferred *

      1

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      $1,504,558

    * Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

Golden Krust – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Golden Krust provides 33 hours of classroom training and 47 hours of on-the-job training, covering restaurant operations, food preparation using the brand's proprietary recipes, and customer service. Ongoing support includes field service, operational guidance, and marketing assistance. Franchisees source ingredients and finished products through Golden Krust's own manufacturing facility. Buyers of an existing Golden Krust unit should confirm what transfer training and supply-chain access the franchisor provides to incoming owners.

  2. Ideal Owner

    The ideal Golden Krust franchisee is operations-focused and comfortable managing a kitchen and front-of-house team in a fast casual restaurant environment. Prior food service experience is not required; the brand's training is designed to prepare motivated operators without a restaurant background. Strong community engagement is a practical asset, particularly in markets with established Caribbean-American communities where the brand's cultural identity is a customer draw. Franchisees should be hands-on in daily operations and attentive to staff retention and the customer relationships that drive repeat business.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Golden Krust has earned recognition in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 and Black Enterprise's Top 100 as a pioneer in Caribbean-American franchising. The brand's founder was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2002, and a Golden Krust franchisee received the IFA Franchisee of the Year Award in 2015. For resale buyers, brand-level recognition translates most directly into local consumer awareness, particularly in markets with established Caribbean-American communities.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US restaurant industry is projected to reach $1.55 trillion in 2026 sales, per the National Restaurant Association, with the fast casual segment among its fastest-growing categories. Consumer demand for Caribbean cuisine in the US is driven by demographic growth in Caribbean-American communities across the Northeast, South Florida, and the Southeast, as well as broader consumer interest in global flavors. For resale buyers, the local demographic profile of the specific territory is a key due-diligence factor for a brand whose appeal is closely tied to community recognition.

Learn more about
how to own a Golden Krust franchise resale

Please fill out the form below and a Franchise Flippers expert will be in touch with you shortly.

The Franchise Brand Index

This page is part of Franchise Flippers’ independent franchise Index, designed as an educational resource to help potential buyers explore the franchise resale market and compare brands.

Trademark & Affiliation Disclaimer

This website is an independent, informational resource. All trademarks, logos, and brand names displayed are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification and educational purposes. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or sponsorship from the respective trademark holders.