Find Out Which Brands Have Ranked on the Franchise 500 for Longest, Earning a Spot In our New 'Hall of Fame' Looking to buy an A-list franchise? These brands have been the strongest for the longest.
By Entrepreneur Staff Edited by Frances Dodds
This story appears in the March 2023 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »
Over 44 years of covering the franchise industry, we've seen hundreds of brands come—and go. But we've also seen brands that stand the test of time, continuing to offer opportunities to aspiring entrepreneurs year after year and even becoming (or remaining) household names for decades. We've even seen brands that haven't just survived for years, but have consistently thrived—managing to rank on our highly competitive Franchise 500 list over and over again.
These are the brands we're honoring now, in what we're calling our Hall of Fame, 10+ Club, and #1 in Category Club. Hall of Fame recipients are the elite group that have ranked in every Franchise 500 for at least the last 25 years—including three brands, Dunkin', McDonald's, and Lawn Doctor, that have ranked in every single Franchise 500 to date. The 10+ Club honors those brands that are working their way toward the Hall of Fame distinction, having ranked 10 to 24 years consecutively so far. And the #1 in Category Club are those rare franchise brands that have ranked #1 in their industry category in the Franchise 500 for the last 10-plus years. (Please note that the 2022 units were counted as of July 31, 2022.)
As always, our lists—even one as distinguished as this—should not be construed as a recommendation of any particular franchise opportunity, but merely as a starting point for your own research. No matter what the track record of a brand is in our rankings, finding out if it's the right fit for you requires doing your homework. Make sure that before investing in any franchise you read the company's legal documents, consult with an attorney and an accountant, and talk to as many existing and former franchisees as you can.
40+ Years
- Ranked: 44 years consecutively
- Rank in 1980: 17
- Rank in 2023: 5
- Total Units Open in 1980: 1,084
- Total Units Open in 2022: 12,957
Despite an ever-changing market environment, Dunkin' has remained one of America's go-tos for coffee and baked goods for more than 70 years. "While consumer habits will continue to shift, delivering the best-in-class guest experience fuels our innovation and drives further growth in our digital ecosystem," says Dunkin' President Scott Murphy.
Murphy believes Dunkin' has sustained their growth and success through a transparent, collaborative relationship with their franchisees, allowing them to remain agile and adapt quickly to market and consumer trends. "Recent examples include our enhancements in technology, marketing, and an entirely renovated beverage platform, all of which have resulted in the healthiest store-level unit economics in the brand's history," he says.
- Ranked: 44 years consecutively
- Rank in 1980: 77
- Rank in 2023: 79
- Total Units Open in 1980: 260
- Total Units Open in 2022: 625
With more than 600 locations across the United States, Lawn Doctor continues to expand across the country. The company stays ahead of the competiton by providing their outdoor franchises access to innovative technology and equipment to help run the business, greatly increasing efficiency and profitability. They also offer a home-based business model, meaning franchisees don't incur the costs, delays or risks associated with operating a retail location.
"The home services industry tends to have evolving marketing conditions and shifts, however, our consumer trends are constant," says Eric Martin, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development. "We target homeowners who take pride in their home, their yard, their family and friends, entertaining and spending time together. Our franchisees provide their customers with the sense of coziness in their home and in their yard, [and] they ensure their customer retention is sound by constantly evolving to deliver the same excellent results time after time."
- Ranked: 44 years consecutively
- Rank in 1980: 1
- Rank in 2023: 14
- Total Units Open in 1980: 5,749
- Total Units Open in 2022: 39,696
When Ray Kroc founded the McDonald's brand, he discovered early on that franchising would be the key to long-term growth and success. "Customer-obsessed execution has built trust in our brand all around the world, spanning all languages, cultures, and geographies," says Brad Bogan, vice president of U.S. strategic franchising. "As long as we remain obsessively focused on the customer, McDonald's will continue to prosper."
Another important factor that keeps McDonald's close to its customers is the role it plays in local communities. According to Bogan, 95% of all McDonald's restaurants are owned and operated by local entrepreneurs who live in and care about the communities they serve. They drive economic growth by offering jobs and supporting schools, first responders, charities, hospitals, youth groups, and more. "This is a critical pillar of our 68 years of success," he says.
Chem-Dry Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
- Ranked: 43 years consecutively
- Rank in 1981: 172
- Rank in 2023: 126
- Total Units Open in 1981: 282
- Total Units Open in 2022: 2,597
- Ranked: 40 years consecutively
- Rank in 1984: 229
- Rank in 2023: 40
- Total Units Open in 1984: 63
- Total Units Open in 2022: 1,589
- Ranked: 40 years consecutively
- Rank in 1984: 219
- Rank in 2023: 119
- Total Units Open in 1984: 126
- Total Units Open in 2022: 996
- Ranked: 40 years consecutively*
- Rank in 1984: 152
- Rank in 2023: 204
- Total Units Open in 1984: 2,168
- Total Units Open in 2022: 3,012
- Ranked: 40 years consecutively*
- Rank in 1984: 152
- Rank in 2023: 94
- Total Units Open in 1984: 2,168
- Total Units Open in 2022: 3,012
- Ranked: 40 years consecutively
- Rank in 1984: 187
- Rank in 2023: 4
- Total Units Open in 1984: 100
- Total Units Open in 2022: 5,464
*ServiceMaster Clean and ServiceMaster Restore were previously combined under a single listing, which had ranked for 39 consecutive years. This year the two brands are listed separately and each ranked.
Related: Want to Franchise Your Business? Make Sure You Know These 5 Things
35+ Years
- Ranked: 39 years consecutively
- Rank in 1985: 79
- Rank in 2023: 425
- Total Units Open in 1985: 2,770
- Total Units Open in 2022: 7,761
- Ranked: 39 years consecutively
- Rank in 1985: 437
- Rank in 2023: 51
- Total Units Open in 1985: 18
- Total Units Open in 2022: 996
- Ranked: 39 years consecutively
- Rank in 1985: 60
- Rank in 2023: 101
- Total Units Open in 1985: 598
- Total Units Open in 2022: 9,120
- Ranked: 38 years consecutively
- Rank in 1986: 252
- Rank in 2023: 24
- Total Units Open in 1986: 94
- Total Units Open in 2022: 4.447
- Ranked: 38 years consecutively
- Rank in 1986: 77
- Rank in 2023: 16
- Total Units Open in 1986: 574
- Total Units Open in 2022: 2,050
- Ranked: 37 years consecutively
- Rank in 1987: 461
- Rank in 2023: 104
- Total Units Open in 1987: 33
- Total Units Open in 2022: 289
- Ranked: 36 years consecutively
- Rank in 1988: 114
- Rank in 2023: 435
- Total Units Open in 1988: 209
- Total Units Open in 2022: 263
- Ranked: 36 years consecutively
- Rank in 1988: 483
- Rank in 2023: 160
- Total Units Open in 1988: 17
- Total Units Open in 2022: 357
Express Employment Professionals
- Ranked: 35 years consecutively
- Rank in 1989: 261
- Rank in 2023: 45
- Total Units Open in 1989: 103
- Total Units Open in 2022: 858
- Ranked: 35 years consecutively
- Rank in 1989: 126
- Rank in 2023: 179
- Total Units Open in 1989: 165
- Total Units Open in 2022: 416
- Ranked: 35 years consecutively
- Rank in 1989: 485
- Rank in 2023: 161
- Total Units Open in 1989: 26
- Total Units Open in 2022: 308
Related: Become a Franchise Owner in 5 Easy Steps
30+ Years
- Ranked: 34 years consecutively
- Rank in 1990: 398
- Rank in 2023: 62
- Total Units Open in 1990: 38
- Total Units Open in 2022: 761
- Ranked: 34 years consecutively
- Rank in 1990: 499
- Rank in 2023: 138
- Total Units Open in 1990: 22
- Total Units Open in 2022: 261
- Ranked: 33 years consecutively
- Rank in 1991: 376
- Rank in 2023: 336
- Total Units Open in 1991: 43
- Total Units Open in 2022: 223
- Ranked: 32 years consecutively
- Rank in 1992: 231
- Rank in 2023: 142
- Total Units Open in 1992: 255
- Total Units Open in 2022: 488
- Ranked: 32 years consecutively
- Rank in 1992: 17
- Rank in 2023: 18
- Total Units Open in 1992: 12,021
- Total Units Open in 2022: 81,887
- Ranked: 32 years consecutively
- Rank in 1992: 466
- Rank in 2023: 17
- Total Units Open in 1992: 17
- Total Units Open in 2022: 1,373
- Ranked: 30 years consecutively
- Rank in 1994: 138
- Rank in 2023: 392
- Total Units Open in 1994: 531
- Total Units Open in 2022: 246
- Ranked: 30 years consecutively
- Rank in 1994: 351
- Rank in 2023: 89
- Total Units Open in 1994: 19
- Total Units Open in 2022: 710
- Ranked: 30 years consecutively
- Rank in 1994: 9
- Rank in 2023: 20
- Total Units Open in 1994: 3,271
- Total Units Open in 2022: 4,771
- Ranked: 30 years consecutively
- Rank in 1994: 35
- Rank in 2023: 31
- Total Units Open in 1994: 768
- Total Units Open in 2022: 1,919
Related: The 50 Franchise Companies Doing the Most to Champion Diversity
25+ Years
- Ranked: 29 years consecutively
- Rank in 1995: 331
- Rank in 2023: 351
- Total Units Open in 1995: 25
- Total Units Open in 2022: 725
- Ranked: 29 years consecutively
- Rank in 1995: 359
- Rank in 2023: 150
- Total Units Open in 1995: 82
- Total Units Open in 2022: 372
- Ranked: 29 years consecutively
- Rank in 1995: 162
- Rank in 2023: 213
- Total Units Open in 1995: 80
- Total Units Open in 2022: 404
- Ranked: 28 years consecutively
- Rank in 1996: 282
- Rank in 2023: 19
- Total Units Open in 1996: 67
- Total Units Open in 2022: 1,378
Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches
- Ranked: 28 years consecutively
- Rank in 1996: 456
- Rank in 2023: 82
- Total Units Open in 1996: 15
- Total Units Open in 2022: 2,657
- Ranked: 26 years consecutively
- Rank in 1998: 287
- Rank in 2023: 67
- Total Units Open in 1998: 305
- Total Units Open in 2022: 1,618
- Ranked: 26 years consecutively
- Rank in 1998: 365
- Rank in 2023: 155
- Total Units Open in 1998: 90
- Total Units Open in 2022: 1,187
- Ranked: 26 years consecutively
- Rank in 1998: 45
- Rank in 2023: 99
- Total Units Open in 1998: 1,459
- Total Units Open in 2022: 2,190
- Ranked: 26 years consecutively
- Rank in 1998: 53
- Rank in 2023: 6
- Total Units Open in 1998: 19,720
- Total Units Open in 2022: 26,527
- Ranked: 26 years consecutively
- Rank in 1998: 459
- Rank in 2023: 135
- Total Units Open in 1998: 9
- Total Units Open in 2022: 352
Pillar To Post Home Inspectors
- Ranked: 26 years consecutively
- Rank in 1998: 416
- Rank in 2023: 234
- Total Units Open in 1998: 98
- Total Units Open in 2022: 558
- Ranked: 26 years consecutively
- Rank in 1998: 408
- Rank in 2023: 134
- Total Units Open in 1998: 47
- Total Units Open in 2022: 326
- Ranked: 25 years consecutively
- Rank in 1999: 302
- Rank in 2023: 180
- Total Units Open in 1999: 25
- Total Units Open in 2022: 189
- Ranked: 25 years consecutively
- Rank in 1999: 445
- Rank in 2023: 60
- Total Units Open in 1999: 50
- Total Units Open in 2022: 595
- Ranked: 25 years consecutively
- Rank in 1999: 237
- Rank in 2023: 110
- Total Units Open in 1999: 70
- Total Units Open in 2022: 1,091
Miracle Method Surface Refinishing
- Ranked: 25 years consecutively
- Rank in 1999: 436
- Rank in 2023: 143
- Total Units Open in 1999: 97
- Total Units Open in 2022: 167
- Ranked: 25 years consecutively
- Rank in 1999: 318
- Rank in 2023: 107
- Total Units Open in 1999: 164
- Total Units Open in 2022: 587
- Ranked: 25 years consecutively
- Rank in 1999: 390
- Rank in 2023: 163
- Total Units Open in 1999: 51
- Total Units Open in 2022: 149
- Ranked: 25 years consecutively
- Rank in 1999: 451
- Rank in 2023: 30
- Total Units Open in 1999: 21
- Total Units Open in 2022: 1,895
Ranking Note: 'Total Units Open in 2022' are as of July 31, 2022
Related: The 10 Commandments of Franchise Ownership
The 10+ Club
The 10+ Club honors those brands that are working their way toward the Hall of Fame distinction, having ranked 10 to 24 years consecutively so far.
20 - 24 Years
Ranked: 24 years
Ranked: 24 years
Ranked: 23 years
Ranked: 23 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 21 years
Ranked: 21 years
Ranked: 21 years
Ranked: 21 years
Ranked: 21 years
Ranked: 20 years
Ranked: 20 years
Related: Franchising Could Be the Secret to Reaping the Rewards of a Down Economy. Here Are 5 Reasons Why.
15 -19 Years
Ranked: 19 years
Ranked: 19 years
Ranked: 19 years
Ranked: 18 years
Ranked: 18 years
Ranked: 18 years
Spherion Staffing & Recruiting
Ranked: 18 years
Ranked: 17 years
Ranked: 17 years
Ranked: 16 years
Ranked: 16 years
Ranked: 16 years
Ranked: 16 years
Ranked: 16 years
Ranked: 16 years
Ranked: 16 years
Ranked: 16 years
Ranked: 16 years
Ranked: 15 years
Ranked: 15 years
Ranked: 15 years
Ranked: 15 years
Ranked: 15 years
Related: The Top 15 Franchises You Can Buy for $25,000 or Less
10 - 14 Years
Ranked: 14 years
Ranked: 14 years
Ranked: 14 years
Ranked: 14 years
ASP-America's Swimming Pool Company
Ranked: 13 years
Ranked: 13 years
Ranked: 13 years
Ranked: 13 years
Ranked: 13 years
Jet-Black/Yellow Dawg Striping
Ranked: 13 years
Ranked: 13 years
The Learning Experience Academy of Early Education
Ranked: 13 years
Ranked: 13 years
Ranked: 13 years
Ranked: 13 years
Ranked: 13 years
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
Ranked: 12 years
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Ranked: 12 years
Ranked: 12 years
Ranked: 12 years
Ranked: 12 years
Ranked: 12 years
Ranked: 12 years
Ranked: 12 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Jan-Pro Cleaning and Disinfecting
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions
Ranked: 10 years
Ranked: 10 years
Ranked: 10 years
Ranked: 10 years
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Restaurant
Ranked: 10 years
Ranked: 10 years
Ranked: 10 years
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning
Ranked: 10 years
Ranked: 10 years
Ranked: 10 years
Ranked: 10 years
Related: 5 Good Reasons to Work With a Franchise Broker
#1 in Category
The #1 in Category Club are those rare franchise brands that have ranked #1 in their industry category in the Franchise 500 for the last 10-plus years.
Ranked #1 in category 37: years
Ranked #1 in category: 33 years
Ranked #1 in category: 28 years
Ranked #1 in category: 22 years
Ranked #1 in category: 21 years
Ranked #1 in category: 20 years
Ranked #1 in category: 20 years
Ranked #1 in category: 20 years
Ranked #1 in category: 14 years
Ranked #1 in category: 14 years
Ranked #1 in category: 12 years
Express Employment Professionals
Ranked #1 in category: 12 years
Ranked #1 in category: 12 years
Jan-Pro Cleaning and Disinfecting
Ranked #1 in category: 11 years
Ranked #1 in category: 11 years
Ranked #1 in category: 11 years
Ranked #1 in category: 10 years
