2017 Top Global Franchises

About the Top Global Franchises

Franchising is part of the international business lexicon. Even if people in China or India or Brazil aren't familiar with the word "franchise," it's a sure bet they're familiar with McDonald's, Subway, KFC and hundreds of other U.S.- and Canada-based franchises that have international appeal.

If you've been thinking about buying a franchise -in the U.S. or any other country- consider this ranking of the top 200 franchisors that are seeking international franchisees. To compile this ranking, we took our Franchise 500 formula and adjusted it to give extra weight to international size and growth. Other areas evaluated by the formula include costs and fees, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. Only companies seeking new franchisees outside the U.S. that had a minimum of five units open abroad as of July 2016 were considered.

This ranking is not intended to endorse, recommend or promote any particular franchise. Rather, it's a research tool you can use to compare franchises. It's imperative that you conduct an in-depth investigation--including consulting an attorney and an accountant, reading all literature and disclosure documents provided by the franchisor, and visiting existing franchise locations to speak with current franchisees--before investing in any franchise opportunity.