📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

These Are the Top 200 Global Franchise Brands in 2023 Want to go international? Here are the brands worth buying into right now.

By Tracy Stapp Herold

entrepreneur daily

This story appears in the May 2023 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »

AB Visual Arts | Shutterstock

When franchisors look to expand, they don't just think domestic. They increasingly think global. For evidence, just look at the 1,321 brands that applied for Entrepreneur's 2023 Franchise 500 ranking. Among all of them, international unit growth outpaced U.S. franchise growth over the most recent three-year period (July 2019 to July 2022). During that time, 28,369 franchise units opened outside of the U.S., a 12.2% increase (compared to 21,828 new franchises within the U.S., just a 7% increase).

Related: How To Go Global With Your Business

Are you interested in buying a brand with international appeal — and hey, maybe even becoming an international franchisee yourself? We want to help, which is why we've crunched the numbers and identified the strongest 200 brands that offer franchises outside of the U.S. They're presented here, in our annual ranking of the top global franchises. We've based this ranking on a modified version of our Franchise 500 formula, which analyzes all eligible franchises based on more than 150 data points in the areas of size and growth — with extra weight given to international size and growth in this case — as well as costs and fees, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability.

Related: 3 Steps to a Successful International Expansion

This list can serve as a good starting point for your research, but keep in mind that it should not be taken as an endorsement of any particular franchise brand. Always read the company's legal documents, consult with an attorney and an accountant, and talk to as many current and former franchisees as you can when looking for the right franchise opportunity for you.

Tracy Stapp Herold

Entrepreneur Staff

Tracy Stapp Herold is the special projects editor at Entrepreneur magazine. She works on franchise and business opportunity stories and listings, including the annual Franchise 500.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Thought Leaders

It's the End of the Entrepreneurial Era As We Know It

With the rise of advanced technologies and AI, are we losing all sense of the independent business person and entrepreneur?

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Side Hustle

He Started a Luxury Side Hustle at Age 13 — Now the Business Earns More Than $10 Million a Year: 'People Want to Help You When You're Young'

Michael Morgan, now the owner of Iconic Watch Company, always had a passion for "old things" — and he turned it into a lucrative venture.

Science & Technology

Exploring How Virtual Reality is Changing Startups

Virtual reality's immersive environment is where startup marketing is headed, and early adopters will be the ones who profit.

Growing a Business

7 Practical Tips for Running Multiple Businesses Successfully

Thinking of starting additional businesses alongside your existing ventures? Learn some practical tips for successfully juggling multiple companies from this insightful blog post.

Money & Finance

12 Books That Self-Made Millionaires Swear By

The bookshelves of millionaires can inspire you to build your wealth. Here are 12 must-reads they recommend.