2010 Franchise 500®

Top Franchises
We've spent 31 years perfecting Entrepreneur's Franchise 500®, the world's first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking based on objective, quantifiable measures of franchise success. So if you're looking for an opportunity to be in business for yourself but not by yourself, there's no better place to start your search.
Top 10 Franchises for 2010
Rank
Name
Startup Costs
$84,300 - $258,300
Ranked #1 in 2009
1
Subway
Submarine sandwiches & salads
$995,900 - $1,842,700
Ranked #2 in 2009
2
McDonald's
Hamburgers, chicken, salads
$40,500 - $775,300
Ranked #30 in 2009
3
7-Eleven Inc.
Convenience store
$3,716,000 - $13,148,800
Ranked #21 in 2009
4
$111,000 - $239,700
Ranked #29 in 2009
5
Supercuts
Hair salon
$26,427 - $84,094
New to Franchise 500
6
H & R Block
Tax preparation & electronic filing
$537,750 - $1,765,300
Ranked #36 in 2009
7
Dunkin' Donuts
Coffee, doughnuts, baked goods
$11,400 - $35,050
Ranked #15 in 2009
8
Jani-King
Commercial cleaning
$102,250 - $161,150
Ranked #28 in 2009
9
Servpro
Insurance/disaster restoration & cleaning
$1,835,823 - $7,615,065
Ranked #35 in 2009
10
ampm Mini Market
Convenience store & gas station
Past Rankings:
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005
Inside the 2010 Franchise 500®
SubwayFranchise of the Year
Subway grabs the No. 1 spot, but this year's Franchise 500® is a big one for sandwiches across the board.
A Room at the TopA Room at the Top
How Hampton Inn broke into the Top 10 during one of the hotel industry's toughest years.
Where to Go When You Can't Find the DoughWhere to Go When You Can't Find the Dough
Where to find financing in the no-loan era. First hint: Start with your franchisor.
The Outlook for 2010The Outlook for 2010
The worst is over, analysts say. But the best companies emerged very different from what they were before.
The Next Big Thing or Next Big Flop?
New franchisors are risky propositions, and there are more of them than ever. Here's how to put them to the test.

Franchises That Went Boom or Bust
A look back at the wacky concepts that exploded (and imploded) in an instant.

Twittering with the Top 10
Can your franchise benefit from social media? Find out how the best franchises used this medium to their advantage.

How I Did It
5 franchisees share their stories of perseverance and innovation.

Franchise Categories

Special Listings
Compiled by the editors of Entrepreneur magazine


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The Latest
The Outlook for 2010
Find out which franchises will thrive in 2010.
The Top 10 Franchises
Up close and personal with the top companies on our list.
How I Did It
Find out how these franchisees survived a bankruptcy and got financing without a loan.
Are You Suited to Be a Franchisee?
100 questions you should ask or answer before you buy a franchise.
Alternative Financing Sources
Here's a look at some creative ways to find startup funds for would-be franchisees.