2016 Top Global Franchises

While Entrepreneur's Franchise 500® focuses on U.S.-based franchises, the appeal of franchising goes well beyond our borders. If you've been thinking about buying a franchise--in the U.S. or any other country--consider this list of the top ranking 200 Franchise 500 companies that are seeking international franchisees. About the Top Global Franchises.

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Fastest-Growing Franchises

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The top 75 companies that began franchising in the last five years

Top Global Franchises

200 North American franchisors seeking international franchisees

Past Rankings: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012

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2016 Top Global Franchises

# 1

Anytime Fitness

Fitness centers

Initial Investment: $80K - $490K

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# 2

Bricks 4 Kidz

Lego-engineering classes, camps, parties

Initial Investment: $34K - $51K

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# 3

7-Eleven Inc.

Convenience stores

Initial Investment: $37K - $1.6M

# 4

Subway

Subs, salads

Initial Investment: $117K - $263K

# 5

Papa John's Int'l. Inc.

Pizza

Initial Investment: $130K - $844K

# 6

Super 8

Hotels

Initial Investment: $124K - $4M

# 7

Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels

Soft pretzels

Initial Investment: $199K - $380K

# 8

Baskin-Robbins

Ice cream, frozen yogurt, frozen beverages

Initial Investment: $94K - $402K

# 9

Jan-Pro Franchising Int'l. Inc.

Commercial cleaning

Initial Investment: $4K - $52K

# 10

Wingstop Restaurants Inc.

Chicken wings

Initial Investment: $238K - $923K

# 11

Snap Fitness Inc.

24-hour fitness centers

Initial Investment: $119K - $295K

# 12

Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corp.

Doughnuts, coffee

Initial Investment: $275K - $1.9M

# 13

Vanguard Cleaning Systems

Commercial cleaning

Initial Investment: $11K - $39K

# 14

McDonald's

Burgers, chicken, salads, beverages

Initial Investment: $1M - $2.2M

# 15

Kumon Math & Reading Centers

Supplemental education

Initial Investment: $69K - $141K

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# 16

Circle K

Convenience stores

Initial Investment: $211K - $1.6M

# 17

Pita Pit Inc.

Pita sandwiches

Initial Investment: $211K - $366K

# 18

Pizza Hut Inc.

Pizza, pasta, wings

Initial Investment: $297K - $2.1M

# 19

RE/MAX LLC

Real estate

Initial Investment: $38K - $224K

# 20

GNC Franchising

Vitamins and nutrition products

Initial Investment: $192K - $354K

# 21

Dairy Queen

Ice cream, burgers, chicken

Initial Investment: $356K - $1.8M

# 22

Papa Murphy's

Take-and-bake pizza

Initial Investment: $279K - $493K

# 23

KFC Corp.

Chicken

Initial Investment: $1.3M - $2.5M

# 24

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group)

Hotels

Initial Investment: $7.8M - $98.5M

# 25

Carl's Jr. Restaurants

Burgers

Initial Investment: $1.4M - $2M

# 26

Cinnabon

Cinnamon rolls, baked goods, coffee

Initial Investment: $181K - $388K

# 27

Hardee's

Burgers, chicken, biscuits

Initial Investment: $1.4M - $1.9M

# 28

Hampton by Hilton

Midprice hotels

Initial Investment: $4.2M - $7.8M

# 29

Cellairis Franchise Inc.

Cellphone and wireless-device accessories and repairs

Initial Investment: $52K - $330K

# 30

Home Instead Senior Care

Nonmedical senior care

Initial Investment: $115K - $125K

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# 31

Dunkin' Donuts

Coffee, doughnuts, baked goods

Initial Investment: $229K - $1.7M

# 32

Right at Home Inc.

Home care, medical staffing

Initial Investment: $78K - $133K

# 33

ServiceMaster Clean

Commercial/residential cleaning, disaster restoration

Initial Investment: $56K - $266K

# 34

Snap-on Tools

Professional tools and equipment

Initial Investment: $167K - $320K

# 35

Signarama

Signs

Initial Investment: $97K - $248K

# 36

Mac Tools

Automotive tools and equipment

Initial Investment: $103K - $255K

# 37

JEI Learning Centers

Individualized supplemental education

Initial Investment: $63K - $101K

# 38

Interim HealthCare

Medical home care, medical staffing

Initial Investment: $124K - $197K

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# 39

Chem-Dry Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Carpet and upholstery cleaning, tile and stone care, granite renewal

Initial Investment: $32K - $156K

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# 40

Midas Int'l. Corp.

Auto repair and maintenance

Initial Investment: $184K - $433K

# 41

Church's Chicken

Chicken

Initial Investment: $413K - $1.3M

# 42

Jiffy Lube Int'l. Inc.

Oil changes, light repairs

Initial Investment: $219K - $400K

# 43

Great Clips

Hair salons

Initial Investment: $132K - $253K

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# 44

Gold's Gym

Health and fitness centers

Initial Investment: $2.2M - $5M

# 45

Days Inn

Hotels

Initial Investment: $167K - $7.7M

# 46

H&R Block

Tax preparation, electronic filing

Initial Investment: $32K - $149K

# 47

Jazzercise Inc.

Group fitness classes, conventions, apparel and accessories

Initial Investment: $4K - $13K

# 48

Matco Tools

Mechanics' tools and equipment

Initial Investment: $89K - $268K

# 49

The UPS Store

Postal, business, printing, and communications services

Initial Investment: $159K - $435K

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# 50

Eye Level Learning Centers

Supplemental education

Initial Investment: $76K - $139K

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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 North American franchisors that are seeking international franchisees. To compile this ranking, we took each company's 2016 Franchise 500® score, then adjusted it to give extra weight to international size and growth.

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.

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Previous Years Rankings

2016 2015 2014 2013 2012

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