Full Speed Ahead The 103 fastest growing franchises.

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