2017's Best of the Best Franchises Meet the top franchises of the year across different business categories, from pets to lodging.
By Tracy Stapp Herold •
This story appears in the May 2017 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »
Entrepreneur's annual Best of the Best list celebrates the elite franchise companies that rank at the top of their industry categories in the Franchise 500. This year, a record 35 companies made this prestigious list for the first time. Some are ambitious newcomers giving the old guard a run for their money. Others are more established brands that made a steady climb to the top. All of them have something to teach about what it takes to become best in class among the competitive and evolving franchise world. We've highlighted just a few of their lessons on the following pages.
Related: 172 New Franchise Companies Hoping to be the Next Big Thing
The companies on this list appear based on their 2017 Franchise 500 rankings, which are determined by an evaluation of more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength and financial strength and stability. However, the list is not intended as a recommendation of any particular company. Always do your own research before investing in a franchise. Read the company's legal documents, consult with an attorney and an accountant and talk to current and former franchisees to find out whether the opportunity is the best one for you.
Automotive
Appearance Services
Ziebart
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #167Startup cost: $227K–$450K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 363/12
Oil-Change Services
Jiffy Lube International
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #189Startup cost: $219K–$400K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 2,081/0
Transmission Repair
AAMCO Transmissions and Total Car Care
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #467Startup cost: $227.4K–$333K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 651/0
Wheels and Tires
RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #126Startup cost: $324K–$809.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 71/14
Windshield Repair
Novus Glass
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #85Startup cost: $49.97K–$268.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,953/41
Miscellaneous Repair and Maintenance Services
Honest-1 Auto Care
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #241Startup cost: $193.7K–$507.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 56/0
Miscellaneous Auto Products and Services
Line-X
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #218Startup cost: $118K–$279.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 552/2
Business Services
Advertising Services
Welcomemat Services
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #207Startup cost: $58.8K–$87.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 54/9
Business Brokerages
Transworld Business Advisors
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #266Startup cost: $64.6K–$86.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 194/0
Business Coaching and Consulting
CEO Focus
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #396Startup cost: $41.5K–$63K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 29/1
Printing/Marketing Services
Minuteman Press International
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #177Startup cost: $62.2K–$161.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 956/0
Property Management
Property Management Inc.
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #288Startup cost: $19.4K–$60K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 153/2
Signs
FastSigns International
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #95Startup cost: $151.1K–$293.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 618/0
Staffing/Recruiting
Express Employment Professionals
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #31Startup cost: $120K–$196K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 749/0
Training Programs
Dale Carnegie Training
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #295Startup cost: $19.7K–$174.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 228/2
Miscellaneous Business Services
Yesco
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #100Startup cost: $65K–$352.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 47/47
Children's Businesses
Childcare
Primrose School Franchising
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #62Startup cost: $677.2K–$5.8M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 344/1
Children's Enrichment Programs
School of Rock
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #225Startup cost: $113.1K–$343.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 172/16
Children's Fitness Programs
Goldfish Swim School Franchising
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #45Startup cost: $1.4M-$2.2M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 34/1
Children's Retail
Once Upon A Child
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #116Startup cost: $254.5K–$392.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 339/0
Tutoring
Kumon Math & Reading Centers
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #11Startup cost: $69.4K–$140.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 25,811/30
Miscellaneous Children's Businesses
Apex Fun Run
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #180Startup cost: $65.5K–$98.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 73/0
Financial Services
Business Financial Services
Liquid Capital
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #142Startup cost: $214.3K–$254K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 93/2
Insurance
Estrella Insurance
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #103Startup cost: $49.95K–$84K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 134/0
Tax Services
H&R Block
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #318Startup cost: $31.5K–$149.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 4,208/6,614
Food/Full-Service Restaurants
Buffet Restaurants
CiCi's Pizza
2017 Franchise 500 rank:#214Startup cost: $217.5K–$828.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 403/41
Sports Bars/Pubs
Boston's Restaurant & Sports Bar
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #146Startup cost: $1.1M-$2.9M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 416/2
Miscellaneous Full-Service Restaurants
Denny's
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #57Startup cost: $915.6K–$2.4M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,558/162
Food/Quick-Service Restaurants
Asian Food
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #165Startup cost: $130.2K–$520.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 184/0
Baked Goods/Cookies
Great American Cookies
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #319Startup cost: $202.9K–$362.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 360/0
Baked Goods/Doughnuts
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #18Startup cost: $275K–$1.9M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,059/113
Baked Goods/Pretzels
Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #79Startup cost: $199.5K–$380.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,734/15
Baked Goods/ Miscellaneous
Cinnabon
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #118Startup cost: $181.1K–$325.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,349/2
Chicken
Wingstop Restaurants
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #8Startup cost: $303.2K–$922.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 929/20
Coffee
Dunkin' Donuts
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #3Startup cost: $228.6K–$1.7M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 11,941/0
Frozen Desserts/Custard
Culver Franchising System
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #20Startup cost: $1.8M-$4.2M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 617/8
Frozen Desserts/Ice Cream
Dairy Queen
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #6Startup cost: $361.5K–$1.8M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 6,839/2
Frozen Desserts/Ices
Kona Ice
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #127Startup cost: $117.1K–$135.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 799/15
Frozen Desserts/Misc.
Yogurtland Franchising
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #184Startup cost: $309.8K–$702.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 313/13
Hamburgers
McDonald's
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #2Startup cost: $1M-$2.2M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 31,230/5,669
Mexican Food
Taco Bell
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #12Startup cost: $1.2M-$2.6M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 5,559/909
Pizza
Marco's Pizza
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #38Startup cost: $224.1K–$549.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 806/0
Sandwiches/Philly Cheesesteak
Charleys Philly Steaks
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #134Startup cost: $162.9K–$475.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 517/55
Sandwiches/Submarine
Firehouse Subs
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #15Startup cost: $124.7K–$1.3M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,022/32
Sandwiches/Wraps
Pita Pit
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #155Startup cost: $211.4K–$366.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 589/22
Sandwiches/Misc
Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #5Startup cost: $325.5K–$555K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 2,574/62
Smoothies/Juices
Smoothie King
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #123Startup cost: $188.2K–$414.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 831/26
Miscellaneous Quick-Service
Dickey's Barbecue Pit
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #86Startup cost: $280.8K–$481.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 600/7
Food/Retail Sales
Candy
Kilwins Chocolates Franchise
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #160Startup cost: $386.1K–$540.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 105/2
Vending
Watermill Express Franchising
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #226Startup cost: $456.7K–$581.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 305/996
Miscellaneous Food Businesses
Edible Arrangements International
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #42Startup cost: $196.6K–$327.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,245/8
Health
Health Products
Miracle-Ear
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #22Startup cost: $119K–$287.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,331/32
Health Services
The Joint
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #129Startup cost: $216.2K–$331.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 280/61
Home Improvement
Flooring
ProSource Wholesale
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #109Startup cost: $565.3K–$592.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 137/8
Kitchen and Bath Remodeling
Trend Transformations
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #284Startup cost: $104.8K–$357.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 157/3
Organization/Storage Systems
Closet Factory
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #227Startup cost: $203.5K–$353K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 60/13
Painting
CertaPro Painters
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #360Startup cost: $134.8K–$169.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 474/0
Wood Refinishing
N-Hance
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #258Startup cost: $24.3K–$147.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 425/0
Miscellaneous Home-Improvement Businesses
Budget Blinds
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #68Startup cost: $99.2K–$202.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,087/0
Lodging
Hampton by Hilton
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #28Startup cost: $4.2M–$14.9M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 2,148/1
Maintenance
Carpet, Upholstery, and Drapery Services
Chem-Dry Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #150Startup cost: $31.8K–$155.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 3,498/0
Commercial Cleaning
Jan-Pro Franchising International
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #37Startup cost: $3.99K–$51.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 8,224/0
Concrete Repairs
Precision Concrete Cutting
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #392Startup cost: $150K–$176.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 53/5
Electrical Services
Mister Sparky
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #175Startup cost: $68.6K–$458.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 105/6
Home Repairs/ Miscellaneous
Mr. Appliance
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #193Startup cost: $60.8K–$139.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 222/0
HVAC Services
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #30Startup cost: $77.1K–$552.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 314/37
Lawn Care/Landscaping
The Grounds Guys
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #91Startup cost: $73.5K–$200.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 213/0
Leather and Vinyl Repair
Fibrenew
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #211Startup cost: $89.5K–$101.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 237/0
Pest Control
Mosquito Joe
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #26Startup cost: $69.6K–$122.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 167/2
Plumbing
Rooter-Man
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #67Startup cost: $46.8K–$137.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 609/3
Residential Cleaning
Merry Maids
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #33Startup cost: $56.5K–$180.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,672/14
Restoration Services
Servpro
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #48Startup cost: $156.1K–$209.95K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,715/0
Restroom Maintenance
Enviro-Master International Franchise
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #76Startup cost: $166.3K–$292.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 67/1
Window Cleaning
Fish Window Cleaning Services
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #234Startup cost: $83.2K–$146.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 264/1
Miscellaneous Maintenance Businesses
ASP-America's Swimming Pool Company
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #113Startup cost: $96.1K–$143.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 213/0
Personal Care
Fitness Businesses
Anytime Fitness
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #14Startup cost: $80K–$490.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 3,386/38
Hair Care
Sport Clips
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #9Startup cost: $183.3K–$351.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,528/32
Massage and Spa Services
Massage Envy
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #17Startup cost: $411.7K–$942.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,150/0
Salon Suites
Phenix Salon Suites Franchising
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #25Startup cost: $296.8K–$952.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 154/4
Senior Care
Right at Home
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #51Startup cost: $77.2K–$133.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 528/0
Miscellaneous Personal-Care Businesses
Waxing the City
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #89Startup cost: $121.9K–$451.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 55/1
Pets
Pet Services
Camp Bow Wow
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #204Startup cost: $409.7K–$1.1M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 127/8
Pet Stores
Pet Supplies Plus
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #49Startup cost: $550.4K–$1.3M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 170/183
Recreation
Paint-and-Sip Studios
Painting with a Twist
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #267Startup cost: $89.3K–$143.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 324/0
Sports Equipment and Apparel
Fleet Feet Sports
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #252Startup cost: $180K–$338K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 129/36
Travel Agencies
Cruise Planners
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #75Startup cost: $2.1K–$22.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 2,432/1
Miscellaneous Recreation Businesses
Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #53Startup cost: $1.2M–$2.97M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 166/1
Retail
Apparel and Accessories
Plato's Closet
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #151Startup cost: $238.1K–$398.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 464/0
Batteries
Batteries Plus Bulbs
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #147Startup cost: $211.6K–$406.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 638/48
Convenience Stores
7-Eleven
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #1Startup cost: $37.2K–$1.6M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 59,067/505
Tools Distribution
Snap-on Tools
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #34Startup cost: $166.8K–$319.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 4,689/168
Vitamins
GNC Franchising
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #65Startup cost: $192.1K–$354.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 3,238/3,506
Miscellaneous Retail Businesses
Ace Hardware
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #7Startup cost: $272.5K–$1.6M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 4,835/96
Services
Dry-Cleaning
Zips Dry Cleaners
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #161Startup cost: $769.1K–$1M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 44/1
Embroidery and Screen Printing
Instant Imprints
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #179Startup cost: $139.8K–$193.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 50/2
Home Inspections
Pillar To Post Home Inspectors
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #58Startup cost: $33.9K–$42.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 541/0
Laboratory Services
ARCpoint Labs
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #120Startup cost: $161.8K–$237.95K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 102/2
Locksmith Services
Pop-A-Lock Franchise System
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #80Startup cost: $99.7K–$134.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 531/3
Moving/Junk-Removal Services
Two Men and a Truck International
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #128Startup cost: $75K–$590.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 296/2
Photography and Video Services
Multivista
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #259Startup cost: $121K–$538.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 52/8
Postal and Business Centers
The UPS Store
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #4Startup cost: $159.2K–$434.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 4,910/0
Real Estate
RE/MAX
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #10Startup cost: $37.5K–$224K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 7,217/0
Miscellaneous Services
Pirtek USA
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #173Startup cost: $98.1K–$620K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 461/3
Tech
Electronics Repairs
CPR-Cell Phone Repair
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #64Startup cost: $24.6K–$173.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 254/4
Miscellaneous Tech Services
CMIT Solutions
2017 Franchise 500 rank: #117Startup cost: $128.3K–$176.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 159/0
