Here's the Top 20 Fastest-Growing Franchises of the Year Check out these rankings.

This is a snippet of a larger article that originally appeard in a 2016 issue of Entrepreneur.

The franchising business is booming, and nowhere is that more evident than Entrepreneur's fastest-growing franchises ranking. Growth is the goal of every franchise system, of course, but not all achieve it as successfully as our top performers.

A total of 105 companies were ranked, represent inga total of 9,695 new franchises opened in North America between July 2014 and July 2015, an almost 32 percent increase from the previous year's growth. The companies are ranked based on their growth during that time frame, with ties listed alphabetically.

As you look over this listing and take in some words of wisdom from the fastest-growing companies, keep in mind that the ranking is not intended as an endorsement of any particular company. Growth is just one sign of a healthy franchise system, but finding the right opportunity for you requires due diligence. Before investing, always read the company's legal documents, consult with an attorney and an accountant, and look beyond the numbers by talking to franchisees about their experiences.

Here are the top 20 fastest-growing franchises of the year (click here for the complete list):

Jan-Pro International

Jan-Pro Franchising International

Commercial cleaning

2016 Franchise 500 rank: #24
Total franchises/co.-owned: 7,849/0
U.S./Canada franchise growth: +480

Subway

Subway

Subs, salads

2016 Franchise 500 rank: #5
Total franchises/co.-owned: 43,916/0
U.S./Canada franchise growth: +435

Dunkin' Donuts

Dunkin' Donuts

Coffee, doughnuts, baked goods

2016 Franchise 500 rank: #8
Total franchises/co.-owned: 11,460/0
U.S./Canada franchise growth: +419

Hardee's

Hardee's

Burgers, chicken, biscuits

2016 Franchise 500 rank: #12
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,894/192
U.S./Canada franchise growth: +325

Jazzercise

Jazzercise

Group fitness classes, conventions, apparel and accessories

2016 Franchise 500 rank: #80
Total franchises/co.-owned: 8,697/2
U.S./Canada franchise growth: +419

Rawpixel Ltd | Getty Images

Cruise Planners

Travel agency

2016 Franchise 500 rank: #25
Total franchises/co.-owned: 2,071/1
U.S./Canada franchise growth: +314

Stratus Building Solutions

Stratus Building Solutions

Commercial cleaning

2016 Franchise 500 rank: #236
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,384/0
U.S./Canada franchise growth: +297

Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches

Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches

Gourmet sandwiches

2016 Franchise 500 rank: #1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 2,238/48
U.S./Canada franchise growth: +296

Carl's Jr.

Carl's Jr. Restaurants

Burgers

2016 Franchise 500 rank: #54
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,257/238
U.S./Canada franchise growth: +221

Hero Images | Getty Images

Anytime Fitness

Fitness center

2016 Franchise 500 rank: #10
Total franchises/co.-owned: 3,004/36
U.S./Canada franchise growth: +202

Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness

Fitness club

2016 Franchise 500 rank: #95
Total franchises/co.-owned: 956/58
U.S./Canada franchise growth: +183

Supercuts

Supercuts

Hair salon

2016 Franchise 500 rank: #3
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,493/1,070
U.S./Canada franchise growth: +180

Great Clips

Great Clips

Hair salon

2016 Franchise 500 rank: #28
Total franchises/co.-owned: 3,694/0
U.S./Canada franchise growth: +176

Sport Clips

Sport Clips

Men's sports-theme hair salon

2016 Franchise 500 rank: #16
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,373/32
U.S./Canada franchise growth: +164

Frederic Cirou/PhotoAlto | Getty Images

Vanguard Cleaning Systems

Commercial cleaning

2016 Franchise 500 rank: #26
Total franchises/co.-owned: 3,109/0
U.S./Canada franchise growth: +163

Jersey Mike's Subs

Jersey Mike's Subs

Subs

2016 Franchise 500 rank: #66
Total franchises/co.-owned: 928/38
U.S./Canada franchise growth: +159

Westend61 | Getty Images

RE/MAX

Real estate

2016 Franchise 500 rank: #21
Total franchises/co.-owned: 6,824/15
U.S./Canada franchise growth: +158

Orangetheory Fitness

Orangetheory Fitness

Group personal training

2016 Franchise 500 rank: #255
Total franchises/co.-owned: 260/0
U.S./Canada franchise growth: +148

Hinterhaus Productions | Getty Images

HomeVestors of America

Home buying, repair and selling

2016 Franchise 500 rank: #91
Total franchises/co.-owned: 605/0
U.S./Canada franchise growth: +128

Kona Ice

Kona Ice

Shaved-ice truck

2016 Franchise 500 rank: #77
Total franchises/co.-owned: 667/10
U.S./Canada franchise growth: +126