World’ Leaders compiles a list of the top franchise investments called the top franchises each year. The Franchises can serve as a starting point for prospective franchisees’ study by using objective indicators like price and social reach. Are you planning to open a fast-food restaurant? You may look at the ranking to see if Dairy Queen or McDonald’s has higher ratings. Wish to start a hotel? These franchises can assist you determine which brand will be most beneficial to your success.
These rankings are undoubtedly general counsel; therefore, they might not be applicable to you. Before making a choice, you should always learn more about franchises and franchise investments.
However, a few companies consistently appear on our franchises 500 list. They should be commended for their tenacity and reliability.
See which franchises have ranked in the top five spots on our franchise list the most frequently since 2001.
1. Subway
In comparison to the second-place company, Subway has had an astounding 14 appearances in the top five of the Franchise 500 since 2001. It has, however, dropped recently, dropping from the No. 5 entry in 2016 to the No. 35 position in 2017 and the No. 105 position this year. The fact that there are fewer U.S. franchisees now than there were a few years ago—from 26,972 in 2015 to just 26,291 in 2017—has something to do with this.
- CEO: Suzanne Greco
- Business headquarters: Millford, Conn.
- Franchising since: 1974
- Initial investment: $147,050 to $320,700
- Initial franchise fee: $15,000
- New units in 2017: -222 units (-0.5 percent)
- Training: 33 hours on the job, 62 hours in the classroom
- Marketing support: Co-op advertising, ad templates, national media, regional advertising, social media, SEO, website development, email marketing, loyalty program/app
2. 7-Eleven
In both 2002 and 2018, 7-Eleven was named No. 2 on the Franchise 500 list. Since 2001, it has placed in the top five 11 out of 18 times. The chain of convenience stores also continued to expand in 2017, adding 3,336 new locations. Since 7-Eleven has 54,061 worldwide franchises, most of its growth has occurred outside of the country, but it has also made significant domestic progress. The business increased by 62.2 percent from 4,330 U.S. franchises in 2008 to 7,025 in 2017.
- CEO: Joseph DePinto
- Business headquarters: Dallas
- Franchising since: 1964
- Initial investment: $37,550 to $1,149,900
- Initial franchise fee: $10,000 to $1,000,000
- New units in 2017: 3,336 units (5.7 percent)
- Training: 240 hours on the job, 24 hours in the classroom
- Marketing support: Co-op advertising, ad templates, national media, regional advertising, social media, SEO, website development, email marketing, loyalty program/app
3. McDonald’s
McDonald’s has to be among the strongest franchise brands you can think of. More than 34,000 McDonald’s restaurants exist worldwide, and since 2001, eight times (including this year) the Golden Arches have placed in the top five on the Franchise 500 list.
- CEO: Steve Easterbrook
- Business headquarters: Oak Brook, Ill.
- Franchising since: 1955
- Initial investment: $1,008,000 to $2,214,080
- Initial franchise fee: $45,000
- New units in 2017: 507 units (1.4 percent)
- Training: 6 to 24 months on the job, 75 hours in the classroom
- Marketing support: Co-op advertising, ad templates, national media, regional advertising, social media, loyalty program/app
- Related: Quiz: How Much Do You Really Know About McDonald’s?
4. Hampton by Hilton
Since 2001, Hampton by Hilton has earned six top-five rankings on the Franchise 500, which puts it in fourth place overall. Although it ranked first overall four out of five years, the hotel restaurant franchise dominated the early twenty-first century. The company is still ranked No. 29 overall this year, coming in first among franchises for hotels and motels despite a recent little decline in that ranking.
- CEO: Christopher Nassetta
- Business headquarters: McLean, Va.
- Franchising since: 1984
- Initial investment: $6,909,090 to $17,088,860
- Initial franchise fee: $75,000
- New units in 2017: 128 units (6.0 percent)
- Training: Varies
- Marketing support: Co-op advertising, ad templates, national media, regional advertising, social media, SEO, website development, email marketing, loyalty program/app
5. The UPS Store
Mail Boxes Etc. was acquired by UPS in 2001 and changed to The UPS Store. The UPS Store was placed No. 2 in our Franchise 500 that same year, and it has since made five more appearances in the top five, including this year at No. 4.
- CEO: Tim Davis
- Business headquarters: San Diego, Calif.
- Franchising since: 1980
- Initial investment: $177,955 to $402,595
- Initial franchise fee: $29,950
- New units in 2017: 69 units (1.4 percent)
- Training: 80 hours on the job, 72 hours in the classroom
- Marketing support: Co-op advertising, ad templates, national media, regional advertising, social media, SEO, website development, email marketing, loyalty program/app
