O, Pioneers! 40 companies that helped define franchising success.

Like the wild west, franchising has a hearty share of pioneers: entrepreneurial companies that have broken ground in their industries, claimed impressive territories, lassoed lots of consumers and, most important, survived the onslaught of competitors.

But don't mistake these companies for old-timers content to sit back and reminisce about the early days of franchising. These pioneers are constantly seeking innovative ways to improve their systems and meet consumer demand as they face the new millennium.

As a result of their steadfastness, these franchises have become household names not only among consumers but also with prospective franchisees seeking a tried-and-true trail to success. To introduce you to these grandfathers of franchising, Entrepreneur has compiled the following listing of 40 companies that have been franchising since 1963.