Rankings · FDD data · 2024
Best Franchises to Own: Start With the Disclosures
A transparent shortlist for comparing franchises that disclose unit revenue, report positive unit growth, and state a startup investment range. It is not an investment recommendation or a proprietary best-franchise score.
- 50
- Comparable disclosures
- 21
- Growing at least 3%
- 9
- Sectors represented
What this screen can tell you
This shortlist contains 50 brands with three comparable FDD signals: Item 19 revenue disclosure, positive net unit growth, and a stated minimum investment. 21 of those brands reported growth of at least 3% - the #50 cutoff to make this list is $1.00M disclosed unit revenue, but none should be read as a universal "best" choice.
- $5.80M
- Highest disclosed revenue: Chick-fil-A
- $1.00M
- #50 cutoff to make this list
- 21
- Reported 3%+ net unit growth
- 9
- Sectors to compare
Highest disclosed unit revenue in the shortlist
Average annual unit revenue reported in FDD Item 19, gross sales rather than franchisee profit
- Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A
$5,800 K average unit revenue
- Hampton Inn
Hampton Inn
$4,200 K average unit revenue
- McDonald's
McDonald's
$2,900 K average unit revenue
- Culver's
Culver's
$2,800 K average unit revenue
- La Quinta
La Quinta
$2,800 K average unit revenue
- Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware
$2,700 K average unit revenue
- Panera Bread
Panera Bread
$2,500 K average unit revenue
- Primrose Schools
Primrose Schools
$2,500 K average unit revenue
- Goddard School $2,200
Goddard School
$2,200 K average unit revenue
- McAlister's Deli $2,000
McAlister's Deli
$2,000 K average unit revenue
- Slim Chickens $2,000
Slim Chickens
$2,000 K average unit revenue
- Two Men and a Truck $2,000
Two Men and a Truck
$2,000 K average unit revenue
What this shows Chick-fil-A reports the highest average unit revenue in this screened group, but the figure is gross sales and does not measure franchisee profit.
| # | Franchise | Disclosed revenue | Min. investment | Net unit growth | Royalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chick-fil-Afood-beverage · 2,972 units | $5.80M | $343K | 3.7% | 15.0% |
| 2 | Hampton Inntravel-hospitality · 2,700 units | $4.20M | $10.00M | 1.9% | 6.0% |
| 3 | McDonald'sfood-beverage · 40,275 units | $2.90M | $1.01M | 0.6% | 4.0% |
| 4 | Culver'sfood-beverage · 930 units | $2.80M | $2.10M | 3.8% | 4.0% |
| 5 | La Quintatravel-hospitality · 1,100 units | $2.80M | $4.10M | 0.9% | 5.0% |
| 6 | Ace Hardwareretail · 5,800 units | $2.70M | $650K | 0.9% | - |
| 7 | Panera Breadfood-beverage · 2,137 units | $2.50M | $900K | 0.5% | 5.0% |
| 8 | Primrose Schoolseducation · 500 units | $2.50M | $700K | 4.0% | 7.0% |
| 9 | Goddard Schooleducation · 600 units | $2.20M | $721K | 4.2% | 7.0% |
| 10 | McAlister's Delifood-beverage · 550 units | $2.00M | $750K | 1.8% | 5.0% |
| 11 | Slim Chickensfood-beverage · 220 units | $2.00M | $773K | 11.4% | 5.0% |
| 12 | Two Men and a Truckhome-services · 400 units | $2.00M | $185K | 7.5% | 6.0% |
| 13 | Planet Fitnesshealth-fitness · 2,600 units | $2.00M | $970K | 4.6% | 7.0% |
| 14 | The Learning Experienceeducation · 500 units | $2.00M | $562K | 8.0% | 7.0% |
| 15 | Kiddie Academyeducation · 300 units | $2.00M | $491K | 5.0% | 7.0% |
| 16 | Snap-on Toolsretail · 4,600 units | $1.90M | $172K | 1.1% | - |
| 17 | Popeyesfood-beverage · 3,925 units | $1.80M | $383K | 3.8% | 5.0% |
| 18 | Jack in the Boxfood-beverage · 2,200 units | $1.80M | $1.45M | 0.5% | 5.0% |
| 19 | Pet Supplies Plusretail · 700 units | $1.80M | $483K | 4.3% | 2.0% |
| 20 | Taco Bellfood-beverage · 8,228 units | $1.70M | $577K | 1.6% | 5.5% |
| 21 | Wendy'sfood-beverage · 7,056 units | $1.60M | $336K | 0.7% | 4.0% |
| 22 | Wingstopfood-beverage · 2,128 units | $1.60M | $336K | 9.4% | 6.0% |
| 23 | Christian Brothers Automotiveautomotive · 270 units | $1.60M | $495K | 7.4% | 5.5% |
| 24 | Five Guysfood-beverage · 1,757 units | $1.50M | $314K | 2.9% | 6.0% |
| 25 | Pinch A Pennyretail · 280 units | $1.50M | $200K | 1.8% | 3.0% |
| 26 | Sonic Drive-Infood-beverage · 3,526 units | $1.40M | $1.24M | 0.6% | 5.0% |
| 27 | Tropical Smoothie Cafefood-beverage · 1,300 units | $1.40M | $282K | 6.2% | 6.0% |
| 28 | Home Insteadsenior-care · 1,200 units | $1.40M | $125K | 2.5% | 5.0% |
| 29 | Domino'sfood-beverage · 19,762 units | $1.30M | $131K | 1.0% | 5.5% |
| 30 | Arby'sfood-beverage · 3,511 units | $1.30M | $342K | 0.6% | 4.0% |
| 31 | Camp Bow Wowpet-services · 200 units | $1.30M | $877K | 2.5% | 7.0% |
| 32 | Dunkin'food-beverage · 9,579 units | $1.20M | $229K | 1.6% | 5.9% |
| 33 | Jersey Mike'sfood-beverage · 2,800 units | $1.20M | $180K | 7.1% | 6.5% |
| 34 | Nothing Bundt Cakesfood-beverage · 570 units | $1.20M | $440K | 10.5% | 7.0% |
| 35 | Sola Salon Studiosretail · 700 units | $1.20M | $1.90M | 5.7% | 5.5% |
| 36 | Servprohome-services · 2,200 units | $1.20M | $218K | 2.7% | 10.0% |
| 37 | Orangetheory Fitnesshealth-fitness · 1,400 units | $1.20M | $563K | 3.6% | 8.0% |
| 38 | Visiting Angelssenior-care · 700 units | $1.20M | $78K | 1.4% | - |
| 39 | BrightStar Caresenior-care · 370 units | $1.20M | $102K | 2.7% | 5.8% |
| 40 | Senior Helperssenior-care · 370 units | $1.20M | $67K | 2.7% | 5.0% |
| 41 | Right at Homesenior-care · 700 units | $1.20M | $80K | 1.4% | 5.0% |
| 42 | Dairy Queenfood-beverage · 6,800 units | $1.10M | $1.08M | 0.3% | 4.0% |
| 43 | Firehouse Subsfood-beverage · 1,280 units | $1.10M | $175K | 2.3% | 6.0% |
| 44 | Hand & Stone Massageretail · 600 units | $1.10M | $534K | 5.0% | 6.0% |
| 45 | FASTSIGNSretail · 780 units | $1.10M | $216K | 2.6% | 6.0% |
| 46 | Dogtopiapet-services · 250 units | $1.10M | $700K | 8.0% | 7.0% |
| 47 | Comfort Keeperssenior-care · 750 units | $1.10M | $92K | 1.3% | 5.0% |
| 48 | Marco's Pizzafood-beverage · 1,100 units | $1.00M | $260K | 3.6% | 5.5% |
| 49 | Massage Envyretail · 1,100 units | $1.00M | $520K | 0.9% | 6.0% |
| 50 | Batteries Plusretail · 730 units | $1.00M | $178K | 1.4% | 5.0% |
How this shortlist is built
Every brand shown has a reported Item 19 average revenue figure, a positive net unit growth rate, at least 25 total units, and a stated minimum initial-investment figure. The table is ordered by disclosed revenue only so the order is reproducible and does not imply that a higher-ranked brand is safer, more profitable, or more suitable for any reader.
Compare the initial investment, royalty rate, and unit-growth column together. Then read the original FDD, especially Item 19 for the disclosed population and Item 20 for openings, closures, transfers, and terminations. The methodology explains the source limits, and the Federal Trade Commission's Franchise Rule compliance guide explains the disclosure framework.
Source: Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) Items 7, 19, and 20 · 2024 Screened for a disclosed Item 19 average revenue figure, positive net unit growth, at least 25 total units, and a stated initial-investment minimum. Data reflects the most recent available FDD for each brand.
Compare one signal at a time
PlainFranchise currently publishes an editorial comparison registry. This release does not yet link every displayed figure to its underlying FDD and retrieval date, so do not treat a registry value as a verified source record. Verify a material figure in the brand's current FDD before relying on it. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
| Publisher | PlainFranchise |
| Sources | Public state franchise disclosure registries and FDD filings |