Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Let's face it: We live in a speed-oriented economy. We needmore megabytes, more miles per hour, more microwaves per home. Thisneed for speed has even seeped into franchising, traditionally anindustry of slow and steady growth spread over decades ofoperation. Today, speed in franchising means more than justdelivering a customer's pizza in 30 minutes or less. It meansexpanding a system by hundreds of units each year and ensuring thatcertain franchises have a location opening in each country, in eachcity, in each neighborhood faster than you can say "marketdomination."
The companies highlighted on the following pages have earnedEntrepreneur's ranking as the fastest-growing franchisesin the United States. Rankings are based on straight growth in thenumber of franchises from 1996 to 1997 as verified inEntrepreneur's annual Franchise 500® listing.(Companies that tied are listed in alphabetical order.)
The following list is not intended to endorse any particularfranchise but simply to provide a starting point for research.Perhaps after a careful investigation of these franchises, you mayfind a system that can put you on the fast track to success.
Franchise Listings 1-20
1. McDonald's: 1 Kroc Dr., Oak Brook, IL60521/(630)623-6196/Hamburgers, chicken, salads /+1,646
2. Burger King Corp.: P.O. Box 020783, Miami, FL33157/(305)378-7157/(305)378-7011/ Hamburgers/+1,144
3. Yogen Früz Worldwide: 8300 Woodbine Ave., 5th Fl.,Markham, ON, Canada, L3R 9Y7/(905)479-8762/Frozen yogurt & icecream /+986
4. 7-Eleven Convenience Stores: 2711 N. Haskell Ave., Box711, Dallas, TX 75221/(800)255-0711/ Convenience stores /+962
5. Jani-King: 4950 Keller Springs, #190, Dallas, TX75248/(800)552-5264/Commercial cleaning services /+816
6. Subway: 325 Bic Dr., Milford, CT06460/(800)888-4848/(203)877-4286/Submarine sandwiches & salads/+681
7. Baskin-Robbins: USA Co. 14 Pacella Park Dr., Randolph, MA02368/(800)777-9983/Ice cream & frozen yogurt /+582
8. Coverall Cleaning Concepts: 3111 Camino Del Rio N., #950,San Diego, CA 92108/(800)537-3371/(619)584-1911/Commercial officecleaning /+505
9. Arby's Inc: 1000 Corporate Dr., Ft. Lauderdale, FL33334/(954)351-5100/Roast beef sandwiches, chicken, subs/+371
10. Taco Bell Corp: . 17901 Von Karman, Irvine, CA92614/(714)863-4500/Mexican quick-service restaurants /+370
11. Dunkin' Donuts: 14 Pacella Park Dr., Randolph, MA02368/(800)777-9983/(617)961-4020/ Donuts & baked goods/+362
12. Carlson Wagonlit Travel: P.O. Box 59159, Minneapolis, MN55459-8207/(800)337-2537/(800)678-8241/Travel agencies /+353
13. Jazzercise Inc: . 2808 Roosevelt, Carlsbad, CA92008/(760)434-2101/ Dance/exercise classes /+328
14. Blimpie Int'l. Inc.: 1775 The Exchange, #600,Atlanta, GA 30339/(800)447-6256/(770)984-2707/ Submarine sandwiches& salads /+302
15. Mail Boxes Etc:6060 Cornerstone Ct. W., San Diego, CA92121/(800)456-0414/(619)455-8800/ Postal/business/communicationsservices /+286
16. Miracle Ear Hearing Systems: 4101 Dahlberg Dr., GoldenValley, MN 55422/(800)234-7714/(612)520-9749/ Hearing aids/+278
17. Futurekids Inc: . 5777 W. Century Blvd., #1555, LosAngeles, CA 90045-5678/(310)337-7006/ Computer literacy education/+233
18. Papa John's Pizza: P.O. Box 99900, Louisville, KY40269-9990/(502)266-5200 /Pizza /+227
19. Holiday Inn Worldwide: 3 Ravinia Dr., #2000, Atlanta, GA30346/(770)604-2000 /Hotels /+226
20. Choice Hotels Int'l.: 10750 Columbia Pike, SilverSpring, MD 20901/(800)547-0007 /Hotels, inns, suites & resorts/+224
Franchise Listings 21-40
21. Proforce USA: 621 N.W. 53rd St., #240, Boca Raton, FL33487/(561)995-1473 /Commercial cleaning /+222
22. GNC Franchising Inc: . 300 6th Ave., 4th Fl.,Pittsburgh, PA 15222/(800)766-7099/(412)288-2043 /Vitamin &nutrition stores /+205
23. Domino's Pizza Inc: . 30 Frank Lloyd Wright Dr.,P.O. Box 997, Ann Arbor, MI 48106/(313)930-3030 /Pizza /+200
24. KFC : 1441 Gardiner Ln., Louisville, KY40213/(502)454-2021 /Chicken /+199
25. Churchs Chicken: 6 Concourse Pkwy., #1700, Atlanta, GA30328/(800)848-8248 /Fried chicken & biscuits /+195
26. Orion Food Systems Inc.: 2930 W. Maple, P.O. Box 780,Sioux Falls, SD 57101/(605)336-6961 /Fast food systems fornon-traditional markets /+177
27. Great Clips Inc: . 3800 W. 80th St., #400, Minneapolis,MN 55431/(800)999-5959/(612)893-9088/ Family hair salons/+161
28. Re/Max Int'l. Inc.: P.O. Box 3907, Englewood, CO80155-3907/(800)525-7452/(303)770-5531/ Real estate services/+155
28. Super 8 Motels Inc.: 339 Jefferson Rd., Parsippany, NJ07054/(800)889-8847/(973)428-9700/ Economy motels /+155
30. Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corp.: 6 Sylvan Wy.,Parsippany, NJ 07054/(973)496-5705/ Real estate brokerage/+147
31. Jiffy Lube Int'l. Inc.: P.O. Box 2967, Houston, TX77252-2967/(713)546-6272 /Fast oil change /+121
32. Curves for Women: 400 Schroeder, Waco, TX76710/(800)848-1096/(254)399-9285 /Women's fitness &weight-loss centers /+116
33. Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits: 6 Concourse Pkwy.,#1700, Atlanta, GA 30328/(800)848-8248/ Fried chicken &biscuits /+115
34. Schlotzsky's Deli: 200 W. 4th St., Austin, TX78701/(800)846-2867/ Sandwiches, soups, salads & pizza/+108
35. Sweets From Heaven/Candy HQtrs.: 1830 Forbes Ave.,Pittsburgh, PA 15219/(412)434-6711 /Bulk candy stores /+104
36. Sonic Drive In Restaurants: 101 Park Ave., OklahomaCity, OK 73102/(405)280-7654 /Drive-in restaurants /+95
37. Terminix Termite & Pest Control: 860 Ridge LakeBlvd., Memphis, TN 38120/(800)654-7848/(901)766-1351/Residential/commercial termite & pest control /+91
38. InHouse Travel Group LLC: 190 E. Westminster Ave., LakeForest, IL 60045/(847)234-8750/ Homebased travel agencies/+86
38. Thrifty Rent-A-Car System Inc.: P.O. Box 35250, Tulsa,OK 74153-0250/(918)669-2219 /Vehicle rentals, leasing & parking/+86
40. Days Inns of America Inc.: 339 Jefferson Rd.,Parsippany, NJ 07054/(973)428-9700/ Hotels & inns /+85
Franchise Listings 41-60
41. A & W Restaurants Inc.: 17197 N. Laurel Park Dr.,#500, Livonia, MI 48152/(888)269-6847/(313)462-0029 /Burgers, hotdogs, root beer /+82
42. Tower Cleaning Systems: P.O. Box 80642, Valley Forge, PA19484/(800)678-6937/(610)650-9000/ Office cleaning services/+78
43. Ramada Franchise Systems Inc.: 339 Jefferson Rd.,Parsippany, NJ 07054/(973)428-9700/ Inns/plaza hotels /+77
44. Computer Renaissance: 4200 Dahlberg Dr., Minneapolis, MN55422/(800)868-8975/(612)520-8500 /New/used computer equipment/+73
44. Dairy Queen : P.O. Box 39286, Minneapolis, MN55439-0286/(800)285-8515/(612)830-0200 Soft-serve dairyproducts/sandwiches /+73
46. Quizno's Corp. : 1099 18th St., #2850, Denver, CO80202/(303)291-0999/ Submarine sandwiches, soups, salads /+72
47. Colors On Parade : 5201 Brookhollow Pkwy., #A, Norcross,GA 30071/(770)368-4112/ Automotive appearance services /+69
47. Dealer Specialties Int'l. Inc.: 60-A S. AmericanWy., Monroe, OH 45050/(800)647-8425/ Used-car window stickers/+69
47. Snap-On Tools: 2801 80th St., P.O. Box 1410, Kenosha, WI53141-1410/(800)775-7630 Professional tools & equipment/+69
47. UniShippers Association: 2595 E. 3300 South, Box 9249,Salt Lake City, UT 84109/(800)999-8721/(801)487-0600 / Discountedovernight air-express services /+69
51. Denny's Inc.: 203 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC29301-0001/(864)597-8000 /Full-service family restaurants/+66
52. Candy Bouquet: 2326 Cantrell Rd., Little Rock, AR72202/(501)375-9990/ Designer gifts & confections /+65
53. Auntie Anne's Inc.: P.O. Box 529, Gap, PA17527/(717)442-4766/ Hand-rolled soft pretzels /+60
54. Home Instead Senior Care: 1104 S. 76th Ave., #A, Omaha,NE 68124/(402)391-2555/ Non-medical senior-care services /+59
54. New Horizons Computer Learning Ctr. : 1231 E. Dyer Rd.,#110, Santa Ana, CA 92705/(714)438-9491 /Computer training &support /+59
56. Midas Int'l. Corp.: 225 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago,IL 60601/(800)621-0144/(312)565-7500/Exhaust/brakes/shocks/struts/suspensions /+57
57. Matco Tools: 4403 Allen Rd., Stow, OH44224/(800)368-6651/(330)929-4949 /Automotive tools /+56
58. Papa Murphy's : 8000 N.E. Parkway Dr., #350,Vancouver, WA 98662/(360)260-7272 /Take-and-bake pizza /+55
59. America's Maid Service-The Maids: 4820 Dodge St.,Omaha, NE 68132/(800)843-6243/ Residential cleaning /+53
59. The Athlete's Foot : 1950 Vaughn Rd., Kennesaw, GA30144/(800)524-6444/(770)514-4500/ Athletic footwear & relatedsports accessories /+53
59. Fastsigns: 2550 Midway Rd., #150, Carrollton, TX75006/(800)827-7446/(972)447-0777/ Computer-generated vinyl signs& graphics /+53
59. The Medicine Shoppe: 1100 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis,MO 63132/(314)993-6000/ Pharmacies /+53
Franchise Listings 61-80
63. Management Recruit./Sales Consult.: 200 Public Sq.,31st Fl., Cleveland, OH 44114-2301/(800)875-4000/(216)696-1122/Personnel placement/search & recruiting svcs. /+52
64. Travel Network: 560 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs, NJ07632/(800)669-9000/(201)567-8500/ Travel agencies /+51
65. Maid To Perfection: 7133 Rutherford Rd., Baltimore, MD21244/(800)648-6243/(410)944-6466/ Residential & lightcommercial cleaning /+50
66. Cost Cutters Family Hair Care: 300 Industrial Blvd.N.E., Minneapolis, MN 55413/(800)858-2266 /Family hair salons/+48
66. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service: 4575 Bonney Rd., VirginiaBeach, VA 23462/(800)277-3278/ Computerized tax prep./electronicfiling services /+48
66. ProForma: 8800 E. Pleasant Valley Rd., Cleveland, OH44131/(800)825-1525/(216)520-8400/ Comm'l. printing/promo.products & multimedia /+48
69. Merry Maids: 860 Ridge Lake Blvd., Memphis, TN38120/(800)637-7962/ Residential cleaning /+46
70. Minuteman Press Int'l. Inc.: 1640 New Hwy.,Farmingdale, NY 11735/(800)645-3006/(516)249-1370 /Full-serviceprinting centers /+45
71. The Fourth R: 1715 Market St., #103, Kirkland, WA98033/(800)821-8653/(425)828-0336/ Computer training /+44
71. Padgett Business Services USA Inc.: 160 Hawthorne Pk.,Athens, GA 30606/(800)323-7292/(706)548-1040 /Accounting,consulting & tax services /+44
73. Heel Quik! Inc. : 1730 Cumberland Point Dr., #5,Marietta, GA 30067/(800)255-8145/(770)951-9440/ Shoerepair/alterations/monogramming /+43
73. Pretzelmaker Inc.: 1050 Seventeenth St., #1400, Denver,CO 80265/(303)573-4800/ Gourmet pretzels /+43
75. Cici's Pizza: 1620 Rafe, #114, Carrollton, TX75006/(800)398-6259/ All-you-can-eat pizza buffets /+40
75. Express Services Inc.: 6300 Northwest Expwy., OklahomaCity, OK 73132/(800)652-6400/(405)840-5000 /Staffing & P.E.O.services /+40
75. Wetzel's Pretzels: 65 N. Raymond Ave., #310,Pasadena, CA 91103/(818)432-6900 /Hand-rolled soft pretzels/+40
78. Computertots: 10132 Colvin Run Rd., Great Falls, VA22066/(703)759-2556/ Computer enrichment programs for children/+39
78. QLube Inc.: 1385 W. 2200 South, Salt Lake City, UT84119/(801)975-4731 /Auto lubrication & oil change services/+39
78. Surface Doctor: 6849 Fairview Rd., Charlotte, NC28210/(800)735-5055/(704)442-0811/ Kitchen/bathroomrenovation/surface repairs /+39
Franchise Listings 61-80
81. Heaven's Best Carpet/Uphol. Cleaning : 247 N.First East, P.O. Box 607, Rexburg, ID 83440/(800)359-2095 /Chemicalcarpet & upholstery cleaning /+38
81. Pillar To Post : 14502 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., #200, Tampa,FL 33618/(800)294-5591 /Home inspection services /+38
83. House Doctors: 4010 Executive Park Dr., #100,Cincinnati, OH 45241/(800)319-3359/ Handyman services/home repairs/+37
83. Your Office USA Inc.: 1455 Frazee Rd., #100, San Diego,CA 92108/(888)950-1700/(619)297-4100 /Executive suites/homebasedbusiness svc. ctrs. /+37
85. HouseMaster : 421 W. Union Ave., Bound Brook, NJ08805/(800)526-3939/ Home inspection services /+36
85. Pak Mail Centers of America Inc.: 3033 S. Parker, #1200,Aurora, CO 80014-2934/(800)833-2821/(303)752-3500/Packaging/shipping/mailboxes/business support /+36
85. Sign-A-Rama Inc.: 1601 Belvedere Rd., #402E, West PalmBeach, FL 33406/(800)286-8671/(561)640-5570 /Full-service signbusiness /+36
88. AmeriSpec Home Inspection Service: 860 Ridge Lake Blvd.,Memphis, TN 38120/(800)426-2270/(901)537-8000 /Home inspectionservices /+35
88. Lady of America: 2400 E. Commercial Blvd., #808, Ft.Lauderdale, FL 33308/(800)833-5239/ /Fitness centers /+35
88. Radisson Hotels Worldwide: Carlson Pkwy., P.O. Box59159, Minneapolis, MN 55459-8204/(612)540-5526/Hotels/inns/resorts/cruise ships /+35
88. Smoothie King: 2400 Veterans Blvd., #110, Kenner, LA70062/(800)577-4200/(504)467-4006/ Nutritional fruit drinks &healthy products /+35
88. Valvoline Instant Oil Change: P.O. Box 14046, Lexington,KY 40512/(800)622-6846 /Quick-lube service centers /+35
93. MGW Group Inc.: 1865 Summit Ave., #605, Plano, TX75074/(800)945-2665/(972)881-4311/ Cookie arrangements &cookies /+34
94. Elephant House Inc. : 12741 Research Blvd., #300,Austin, TX 78759/(800)729-2273/ Greeting card distribution/+33
94. Diversified Dental Services : 10641 1st St. E., #204,Treasure Island, FL 33706/(800)365-4189/(813)367-6801/ Dentalhandpiece repairs & sales /+33
94. Golden Corral : 5151 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC27612/(919)781-9310 /Family steakhouse/buffet & bakery/+33
94. Petland : 195 N. Hickory St., Chillicothe, OH45601/(614)775-2464 /Full-service pet stores /+33
98. Adventures in Advertising Inc.: 400 Crown Colony Dr.,#200, Quincy, MA 02169/(800)432-6332/Promotionalproducts/advertising specialties /+32
98. PostNet Postal & Business Centers: 2501 Green ValleyPkwy., #101, Henderson, NV 89014/(800)841-7171/(702)792-7100/Postal, business & communications centers /+32
98. Primrose School Franchising Co.: 199 S. Erwin St.,Cartersville, GA 30120/(800)745-0677/(404)606-9600 /Educationalchild-care facilities /+32
98. Signs Now Corp.: 4900 Manatee Ave. W., #201, Bradenton,FL 34209/(800)356-3373/(941)747-7747/ Computerized 24-hr.sign-making services /+32
98. Sunbelt Business Brokers Network: P.O. Box 20549,Charleston, SC 29413-0549/(803)853-4781 /Business brokerages/+32
103. Cyber Exchange Software & Computers: 2686 E. MainSt., St. Charles, IL 60174/(800)520-7311 /New/used computerhardware/software sales /+31
