Entrepreneur's annual Franchise 500® is the world's first, best and most comprehensive ranking of franchises. For 28 years, we've researched and analyzed thousands of franchises to bring you the information you need to help find a franchise that suits your needs.

This year has been yet another amazing one for franchising. Our 28th Annual Franchise 500® listing includes franchise companies boasting a total of more than 358,000 units and over $400 billion in sales worldwide. Take a look at our winner's circle.

Papa John's is the little engine that could on our countdown this year. The pizza chain leapt an impressive 19 spots from #29 last year right into the top 10 for the first time ever. The chain's come a long way from 1984 when a young "Papa" John Schnatte sold his Camaro to open a small pizza joint in the back of his father's tavern.

No. of Franchises: 2,405
Franchising Since: 1985
Startup Costs: $205,000
2006 Rank: #29

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One of the most recognizable brands in the world, McDonald's is also one of the granddaddies of franchising. It's been No. 1 on our Franchise 500® eight times--second only to Subway--and has been in our top 10 an astounding 26 times out of the 28 years we've been compiling the list.

No. of Franchises: 22,554
Franchising Since: 1955
Startup Costs: $506,000 - $1.6 million
2006 Rank: #16

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Sonic opened its first drive-in, car-hop restaurant in 1953 and has stuck with the same formula ever since. Its menu and atmosphere harkens back to the good ol' days of the 50s with traditional favorites like burgers, tater tots and banana splits, but it's also kept up with the times with new offerings such as wraps and smoothies. The combination--plus nearly 2,500 franchises--has helped launch the company into the top 10 once again.

No. of Franchises: 2,495
Franchising Since: 1954
Startup Costs: $861,000 - $2.3 million
2006 Rank: #13

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Getting cars quickly in and out for an oil change is the goal of Jiffy Lube, and this quest to ease a car owner's errand has led the franchise into the top 10 for the third time. The company's made quite the leap this year, too: from #20 in 2006 to #7 in the current listing.

No. of Franchises: 1,946
Franchising Since: 1979
Startup Costs: $214,000 – $273,000
2006 Rank: #20

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Domino's Pizza delivers itself to the top 10 for the eighth time, rising five notches from its spot at #11 last year. Started in 1960, the delivery chain now has more than 7,500 stores and delivers 400 million pies a year.

No. of Franchises: 7,652
Franchising Since: 1960
Startup Costs: $141,400 – $415,100
2006 Rank: #11

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With more than 5,500 locations in 40 countries, The UPS Store/Mail Boxes Etc. is the world's largest retail shipping, postal and business services franchise. The company has hit the top 10 a dozen times, and has also made several appearances on our Fastest-Growing Franchises listing.

No. of Franchises: 5,760
Franchising Since: 1980
Startup Costs: $153,800 - $266,960
2006 Rank: #4

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7-Eleven is the oldest franchise company on our list, and perhaps the best known convenience store in the United States. Its roots stretch back to an ice company in Dallas that began in 1927. One employee began selling milk, bread and eggs when grocery stores were closed, and soon the company was in the convenience store business. Now, approximately 6 million customers visit 7-Eleven stores in the United States and Canada every day. This convenience store has been one of the top-ranked franchises to own for the past seven years and the leader in the retail franchise category for 16 years.

No. of Franchises: 27,161
Franchising Since: 1964
Startup Costs: Varies
2006 Rank: #9

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This national online tax service began franchising in 1986, the same year the IRS introduced electronic filing. It's the #6 franchise on our Fastest-Growing Franchise list and a consistent player on our Low-Cost listing. The company has also ranked No. 1 in the tax prep franchise category 14 times.

No. of Franchises: 5,379
Franchising Since: 1986
Startup Costs: $48,600 - $91,800
2006 Rank: #5

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This doughnut stalwart has been franchising for more that 50 years and has been a consistent presence on our Franchise 500© for 28 years, but its recent re-branding effort is what brought the company back into the limelight. Those pink-and-orange cups your grandpa drank black coffee out of have become cool again, thanks to new upscale drink offerings like espresso and cappuccino. The chain plans to continue its growth by tripling its U.S. store count to 15,000 in the next 10 to 15 years.

No. of Franchises: 6,892
Franchising Since: 1955
Startup Costs: $179,000 - $1.6 million
2006 Rank: #6

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Landing in our top spot for the 15th time, Subway is a force to be reckoned with and with more than 26,000 stores, the sandwich chain isn't looking to slow down anytime soon. It's aiming for 7,500 international locations by 2010 (it's got 3,767 now) and plans to continue growing by scouting new locations and utilizing unusual outlets in such places as hospitals, convenience stores and schools.

No. of Franchises: 26,197
Franchising Since: 1974
Startup Costs: $74,900 - $222,800
2006 Rank: #1

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