Franchise 500

Franchise 500

McDonald’s Sales Jump 2.4% After They Revived This Old School Strategy

How the Golden Arches landed back in the Franchise 500 Top 10.

By Stephanie Schomer

Franchise 500

From Celebrity Investors to AI That Cuts Labor Costs by 90% — How 5 Brands Made Massive Leaps

What drove explosive franchise growth in 2025? Here are the five different growth strategies that helped these franchises rocket up in the Franchise 500 rankings.

By Kim Kavin

Franchise 500

‘Computers Can’t Tie Balloons’: 8 Innovative New Franchises

These franchises identified market gaps, and are turning unique ideas into scalable business models for our current moment.

By Jason Feifer

Franchise 500

A Day In the Life of a Franchisee Who Took His Store from $700K to $1.8 Million

Raul Larez now owns two Batteries Plus locations, but still has plenty of time for family. We asked him to keep a diary of one average day.

By Raul Larez

Franchise 500

Raise Prices or Cut Staff… How About Neither? Try The Strategy That Worked For These 5 Brands

When costs climb and consumers tighten budgets, most franchises raise prices or cut staff. But the smartest brands are reengineering value.

By Matt Haller

Franchise 500

I Took a Tiny Hometown Restaurant and Built It Into 235 Locations For Very Little Money. You Can Too.

Eddie Flores Jr. couldn't get a loan, so he built L&L Hawaiian Barbecue without much cash for traditional marketing. Here is his "impact marketing without spending money" strategy.

By Eddie Flores Jr.

Buying a Franchise

This Family-Friendly Brand Is Snapping Up Vacant Stores — And Building a $600 Million Business in the Process

As national retailers shutter locations, Urban Air Adventure Park is transforming empty big-box stores into family destinations that drive foot traffic and revenue for retail centers.

By Carl Stoffers

Buying a Franchise

A Major Restaurant Operator Just Cashed Out of One of Its Biggest Brands — Here’s Why

The sale marks a strategic shift — and is a sign of how fast-food giants are rethinking growth.

By Carl Stoffers

Buying a Franchise

These Are the Top Retail Franchises for 2025, According to the Franchise 500

These retail brands are proving there's still a big opportunity in brick-and-mortar franchising.

By Carl Stoffers

Buying a Franchise

Franchise Success Isn’t Automatic — It’s Earned. Here’s How to Do It Right.

Many franchise candidates fall for the "it runs itself" myth. Here's why hands-on ownership is the only real path to success.

By Rob Lancit

Buying a Franchise

Most Acquisitions Fail — Here’s How to Make Yours the Exception

Buying a company is the easy part. The challenge is getting your new team to feel like part of the same firm.

By Jeff Helfgott

Buying a Franchise

This Fast-Food Powerhouse Is Getting a Makeover. Here’s What Customers Can Expect.

Wendy's is rolling out Project Fresh, a consumer-focused overhaul that promises faster drive-thrus, smarter ordering tech and a refreshed menu.

By Carl Stoffers

Buying a Franchise

This Founder Lost Control of Her Cult-Favorite Brand — Here’s How She’s Making a Bold Comeback

After a turbulent stretch, Slutty Vegan founder Pinky Cole says she's back in full control — and pushing a disciplined "2.0" reset.

By Carl Stoffers

Buying a Franchise

The IFA Is Spending $5 Million to Counter This Major Franchising Myth

The IFA's new awareness campaign highlights real franchise owners whose work supports local jobs, charities and neighborhoods.

By Carl Stoffers

Buying a Franchise

This Brand Is Making a High-Tech Move That Could Change Your Food Deliveries Forever

Dave's Hot Chicken's drone delivery experiment could be the blueprint for how businesses deliver in the future.

By Carl Stoffers

Buying a Franchise

One of America’s Oldest Seafood Chains Just Got a Menu Makeover — and It’s Betting Big on Chicken

The brand that once defined fried fish in America is turning its focus to chicken.

By Carl Stoffers

Buying a Franchise

This 18-Year-Old Saved Babysitting Money for College — Then Decided to Buy a Business Instead

She bought her first store before she could legally sign a contract.

By Carl Stoffers

Buying a Franchise

Your Personal Brand Is Your Job Security — Here’s 3 Ways to Build It

Whether you're a corporate professional or have entrepreneurial goals, building your personal brand is critical.

By David Busker

Buying a Franchise

The Small Hiring Change That Built Stronger Teams at My Company

A slight mindset shift turned hiring from a fearful chore into a growth catalyst, teaching me that decisive action often beats waiting for perfection.

By Adam Povlitz

Buying a Franchise

Five Steps to Building a Strong Culture Across Franchise Locations

When it comes to franchise success, reliable systems and processes are essential, but a thriving company culture is the glue that holds it all together.

By Jeff Brazier

Buying a Franchise

This Popular Acai Franchise Is Expanding Fast. Is It Coming to Your State Next?

A refreshed C-suite and strong franchisee buy-in are setting the brand up for its most ambitious expansion yet.

By Carl Stoffers