2012 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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Top Global Franchises

200 North American franchisors seeking international franchisees

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

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2012 Top Global Franchises

# 1

Hampton by Hilton

Hotels & Motels

Initial Investment: $4.2M - $14.9M

# 2

Subway

Sandwiches

Initial Investment: $117K - $263K

# 3

Servpro

Insurance Restoration Services

Initial Investment: $156K - $210K

# 4

Days Inn

Hotels & Motels

Initial Investment: $194K - $7.8M

# 5

McDonald's

Hamburgers

Initial Investment: $1M - $2.2M

# 6

Denny's Inc.

Family Restaurants

Initial Investment: $916K - $2.4M

# 7

H&R Block

Accounting & Tax Services

Initial Investment: $32K - $149K

# 8

Pizza Hut LLC

Pizza

Initial Investment: $297K - $2.1M

# 9

Dunkin' Donuts

Bakeries

Initial Investment: $229K - $1.7M

# 10

Anytime Fitness

Fitness Centers

Initial Investment: $80K - $490K

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# 11

Stratus Building Solutions

Commercial/Residential Cleaning

Initial Investment: $3K - $65K

# 12

Jazzercise Inc.

Fitness Centers

Initial Investment: $4K - $13K

# 13

Supercuts

Hair Care

Initial Investment: $144K - $294K

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# 14

Jiffy Lube Int'l. Inc.

Oil-Change Services

Initial Investment: $219K - $400K

# 15

ampm

Convenience Stores

Initial Investment: $401K - $7.8M

# 16

KFC US LLC

Chicken

Initial Investment: $1.5M - $2.6M

# 17

Kumon Math & Reading Centers

Education Programs

Initial Investment: $69K - $141K

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# 18

Taco Bell

Mexican Fast Food

Initial Investment: $1.2M - $2.6M

# 19

Aaron's

Furniture Stores

Initial Investment: $283K - $853K

# 20

Dairy Queen

Ice Cream

Initial Investment: $361K - $1.8M

# 21

Circle K

Convenience Stores

Initial Investment: $211K - $1.6M

# 22

Liberty Tax Service

Accounting & Tax Services

Initial Investment: $59K - $72K

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# 23

Matco Tools

Misc. Auto Services

Initial Investment: $89K - $268K

# 24

Papa Murphy's

Pizza

Initial Investment: $275K - $499K

# 25

Snap-on Tools

Misc. Auto Services

Initial Investment: $170K - $350K

# 26

Ace Hardware Corp.

Hardware

Initial Investment: $273K - $1.6M

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# 27

CleanNet USA Inc.

Commercial/Residential Cleaning

Initial Investment: $18K - $47K

# 28

Papa John's Int'l. Inc.

Pizza

Initial Investment: $130K - $844K

# 29

Hardee's

Hamburgers

Initial Investment: $1.4M - $1.9M

# 30

GNC Franchising

Vitamin Stores

Initial Investment: $192K - $354K

# 31

Church's Chicken

Chicken

Initial Investment: $413K - $1.3M

# 32

Great Clips

Hair Care

Initial Investment: $132K - $253K

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# 33

Snap Fitness Inc.

Fitness Centers

Initial Investment: $148K - $458K

# 34

The UPS Store

Business Support Centers

Initial Investment: $159K - $435K

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# 35

System4 Facility Services

Commercial/Residential Cleaning

Initial Investment: $86K - $388K

# 36

Vanguard Cleaning Systems

Commercial/Residential Cleaning

Initial Investment: $11K - $39K

# 37

ServiceMaster Clean

Commercial/Residential Cleaning

Initial Investment: $56K - $266K

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# 38

Super 8

Hotels & Motels

Initial Investment: $210K - $4.4M

# 39

Edible Arrangements Int'l. LLC

Food Gifts

Initial Investment: $197K - $328K

# 40

The Maids

Commercial/Residential Cleaning

Initial Investment: $82K - $197K

# 41

Dream Vacations

Travel Agencies

Initial Investment: $3K - $22K

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# 42

Chem-Dry Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Maintenance Services

Initial Investment: $56K - $162K

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# 43

Carl's Jr. Restaurants

Hamburgers

Initial Investment: $1.4M - $2M

# 44

Baskin-Robbins

Frozen Yogurt

Initial Investment: $94K - $402K

# 45

Heaven's Best Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Maintenance Services

Initial Investment: $55K - $84K

# 46

Cold Stone Creamery

Frozen Yogurt

Initial Investment: $52K - $468K

# 47

AAMCO Transmissions and Total Car Care

Repair Services

Initial Investment: $227K - $333K

# 48

Arby's Restaurant Group Inc.

Sandwiches

Initial Investment: $272K - $1.8M

# 49

Meineke Car Care Centers

Brake Repair

Initial Investment: $123K - $572K

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# 50

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group)

Hotels & Motels

Initial Investment: $7.5M - $98.5M

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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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