Image Credit: Courtesy of Dunkin’
Over 44 years of covering the franchise industry, we’ve seen hundreds of brands come—and go. But we’ve also seen brands that stand the test of time, continuing to offer opportunities to aspiring entrepreneurs year after year and even becoming (or remaining) household names for decades. We’ve even seen brands that haven’t just survived for years, but have consistently thrived—managing to rank on our highly competitive Franchise 500 list over and over again.
These are the brands we’re honoring now, in what we’re calling our Hall of Fame, 10+ Club, and #1 in Category Club. Hall of Fame recipients are the elite group that have ranked in every Franchise 500 for at least the last 25 years—including three brands, Dunkin’, McDonald’s, and Lawn Doctor, that have ranked in every single Franchise 500 to date. The 10+ Club honors those brands that are working their way toward the Hall of Fame distinction, having ranked 10 to 24 years consecutively so far. And the #1 in Category Club are those rare franchise brands that have ranked #1 in their industry category in the Franchise 500 for the last 10-plus years. (Please note that the 2022 units were counted as of July 31, 2022.)
As always, our lists—even one as distinguished as this—should not be construed as a recommendation of any particular franchise opportunity, but merely as a starting point for your own research. No matter what the track record of a brand is in our rankings, finding out if it’s the right fit for you requires doing your homework. Make sure that before investing in any franchise you read the company’s legal documents, consult with an attorney and an accountant, and talk to as many existing and former franchisees as you can.
40+ Years
Dunkin’
- Ranked: 44 years consecutively
- Rank in 1980: 17
- Rank in 2023: 5
- Total Units Open in 1980: 1,084
- Total Units Open in 2022: 12,957
Despite an ever-changing market environment, Dunkin’ has remained one of America’s go-tos for coffee and baked goods for more than 70 years. “While consumer habits will continue to shift, delivering the best-in-class guest experience fuels our innovation and drives further growth in our digital ecosystem,” says Dunkin’ President Scott Murphy.
Murphy believes Dunkin’ has sustained their growth and success through a transparent, collaborative relationship with their franchisees, allowing them to remain agile and adapt quickly to market and consumer trends. “Recent examples include our enhancements in technology, marketing, and an entirely renovated beverage platform, all of which have resulted in the healthiest store-level unit economics in the brand’s history,” he says.
Lawn Doctor
- Ranked: 44 years consecutively
- Rank in 1980: 77
- Rank in 2023: 79
- Total Units Open in 1980: 260
- Total Units Open in 2022: 625
With more than 600 locations across the United States, Lawn Doctor continues to expand across the country. The company stays ahead of the competiton by providing their outdoor franchises access to innovative technology and equipment to help run the business, greatly increasing efficiency and profitability. They also offer a home-based business model, meaning franchisees don’t incur the costs, delays or risks associated with operating a retail location.
“The home services industry tends to have evolving marketing conditions and shifts, however, our consumer trends are constant,” says Eric Martin, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development. “We target homeowners who take pride in their home, their yard, their family and friends, entertaining and spending time together. Our franchisees provide their customers with the sense of coziness in their home and in their yard, [and] they ensure their customer retention is sound by constantly evolving to deliver the same excellent results time after time.”
McDonald’s
- Ranked: 44 years consecutively
- Rank in 1980: 1
- Rank in 2023: 14
- Total Units Open in 1980: 5,749
- Total Units Open in 2022: 39,696
Chem-Dry Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
- Ranked: 43 years consecutively
- Rank in 1981: 172
- Rank in 2023: 126
- Total Units Open in 1981: 282
- Total Units Open in 2022: 2,597
The Maids
- Ranked: 40 years consecutively
- Rank in 1984: 229
- Rank in 2023: 40
- Total Units Open in 1984: 63
- Total Units Open in 2022: 1,589
Merry Maids
- Ranked: 40 years consecutively
- Rank in 1984: 219
- Rank in 2023: 119
- Total Units Open in 1984: 126
- Total Units Open in 2022: 996
ServiceMaster Clean
- Ranked: 40 years consecutively*
- Rank in 1984: 152
- Rank in 2023: 204
- Total Units Open in 1984: 2,168
- Total Units Open in 2022: 3,012
ServiceMaster Restore
- Ranked: 40 years consecutively*
- Rank in 1984: 152
- Rank in 2023: 94
- Total Units Open in 1984: 2,168
- Total Units Open in 2022: 3,012
The UPS Store
- Ranked: 40 years consecutively
- Rank in 1984: 187
- Rank in 2023: 4
- Total Units Open in 1984: 100
- Total Units Open in 2022: 5,464
*ServiceMaster Clean and ServiceMaster Restore were previously combined under a single listing, which had ranked for 39 consecutive years. This year the two brands are listed separately and each ranked.
Related: Want to Franchise Your Business? Make Sure You Know These 5 Things
Image Credit: Courtesy of Express Employment Professionals
35+ Years
Jazzercise
- Ranked: 39 years consecutively
- Rank in 1985: 79
- Rank in 2023: 425
- Total Units Open in 1985: 2,770
- Total Units Open in 2022: 7,761
Marco’s Pizza
- Ranked: 39 years consecutively
- Rank in 1985: 437
- Rank in 2023: 51
- Total Units Open in 1985: 18
- Total Units Open in 2022: 996
RE/MAX
- Ranked: 39 years consecutively
- Rank in 1985: 60
- Rank in 2023: 101
- Total Units Open in 1985: 598
- Total Units Open in 2022: 9,120
Great Clips
- Ranked: 38 years consecutively
- Rank in 1986: 252
- Rank in 2023: 24
- Total Units Open in 1986: 94
- Total Units Open in 2022: 4.447
Servpro
- Ranked: 38 years consecutively
- Rank in 1986: 77
- Rank in 2023: 16
- Total Units Open in 1986: 574
- Total Units Open in 2022: 2,050
Huntington Learning Center
- Ranked: 37 years consecutively
- Rank in 1987: 461
- Rank in 2023: 104
- Total Units Open in 1987: 33
- Total Units Open in 2022: 289
AlphaGraphics
- Ranked: 36 years consecutively
- Rank in 1988: 114
- Rank in 2023: 435
- Total Units Open in 1988: 209
- Total Units Open in 2022: 263
Wild Birds Unlimited
- Ranked: 36 years consecutively
- Rank in 1988: 483
- Rank in 2023: 160
- Total Units Open in 1988: 17
- Total Units Open in 2022: 357
Express Employment Professionals
- Ranked: 35 years consecutively
- Rank in 1989: 261
- Rank in 2023: 45
- Total Units Open in 1989: 103
- Total Units Open in 2022: 858
Maid Brigade
- Ranked: 35 years consecutively
- Rank in 1989: 126
- Rank in 2023: 179
- Total Units Open in 1989: 165
- Total Units Open in 2022: 416
Postal Annex+
- Ranked: 35 years consecutively
- Rank in 1989: 485
- Rank in 2023: 161
- Total Units Open in 1989: 26
- Total Units Open in 2022: 308
Related: Become a Franchise Owner in 5 Easy Steps
Image Credit: Courtesy of 7-Eleven
30+ Years
FastSigns
- Ranked: 34 years consecutively
- Rank in 1990: 398
- Rank in 2023: 62
- Total Units Open in 1990: 38
- Total Units Open in 2022: 761
Kitchen Tune-Up
- Ranked: 34 years consecutively
- Rank in 1990: 499
- Rank in 2023: 138
- Total Units Open in 1990: 22
- Total Units Open in 2022: 261
National Property Inspections
- Ranked: 33 years consecutively
- Rank in 1991: 376
- Rank in 2023: 336
- Total Units Open in 1991: 43
- Total Units Open in 2022: 223
Molly Maid
- Ranked: 32 years consecutively
- Rank in 1992: 231
- Rank in 2023: 142
- Total Units Open in 1992: 255
- Total Units Open in 2022: 488
7-Eleven
- Ranked: 32 years consecutively
- Rank in 1992: 17
- Rank in 2023: 18
- Total Units Open in 1992: 12,021
- Total Units Open in 2022: 81,887
Smoothie King
- Ranked: 32 years consecutively
- Rank in 1992: 466
- Rank in 2023: 17
- Total Units Open in 1992: 17
- Total Units Open in 2022: 1,373
Allegra Marketing-Print-Mail
- Ranked: 30 years consecutively
- Rank in 1994: 138
- Rank in 2023: 392
- Total Units Open in 1994: 531
- Total Units Open in 2022: 246
Charleys Cheesesteaks & Wings
- Ranked: 30 years consecutively
- Rank in 1994: 351
- Rank in 2023: 89
- Total Units Open in 1994: 19
- Total Units Open in 2022: 710
Matco Tools
- Ranked: 30 years consecutively
- Rank in 1994: 35
- Rank in 2023: 31
- Total Units Open in 1994: 768
- Total Units Open in 2022: 1,919
Snap-on Tools
- Ranked: 30 years consecutively
- Rank in 1994: 9
- Rank in 2023: 20
- Total Units Open in 1994: 3,271
- Total Units Open in 2022: 4,771
Related: The 50 Franchise Companies Doing the Most to Champion Diversity
Image Credit: Courtesy of Dream Vacations
25+ Years
Batteries Plus
- Ranked: 29 years consecutively
- Rank in 1995: 331
- Rank in 2023: 351
- Total Units Open in 1995: 25
- Total Units Open in 2022: 725
CertaPro Painters
- Ranked: 29 years consecutively
- Rank in 1995: 359
- Rank in 2023: 150
- Total Units Open in 1995: 82
- Total Units Open in 2022: 372
Once Upon A Child
- Ranked: 29 years consecutively
- Rank in 1995: 162
- Rank in 2023: 213
- Total Units Open in 1995: 80
- Total Units Open in 2022: 404
Budget Blinds
- Ranked: 28 years consecutively
- Rank in 1996: 282
- Rank in 2023: 19
- Total Units Open in 1996: 67
- Total Units Open in 2022: 1,378
Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches
- Ranked: 28 years consecutively
- Rank in 1996: 456
- Rank in 2023: 82
- Total Units Open in 1996: 15
- Total Units Open in 2022: 2,657
Dream Vacations
- Ranked: 26 years consecutively
- Rank in 1998: 287
- Rank in 2023: 67
- Total Units Open in 1998: 305
- Total Units Open in 2022: 1,618
Home Instead
- Ranked: 26 years consecutively
- Rank in 1998: 365
- Rank in 2023: 155
- Total Units Open in 1998: 90
- Total Units Open in 2022: 1,187
Jiffy Lube
- Ranked: 26 years consecutively
- Rank in 1998: 45
- Rank in 2023: 99
- Total Units Open in 1998: 1,459
- Total Units Open in 2022: 2,190
Kumon
- Ranked: 26 years consecutively
- Rank in 1998: 53
- Rank in 2023: 6
- Total Units Open in 1998: 19,720
- Total Units Open in 2022: 26,527
Mr. Appliance
- Ranked: 26 years consecutively
- Rank in 1998: 459
- Rank in 2023: 135
- Total Units Open in 1998: 9
- Total Units Open in 2022: 352
Pillar To Post Home Inspectors
- Ranked: 26 years consecutively
- Rank in 1998: 416
- Rank in 2023: 234
- Total Units Open in 1998: 98
- Total Units Open in 2022: 558
Two Men and a Truck
- Ranked: 26 years consecutively
- Rank in 1998: 408
- Rank in 2023: 134
- Total Units Open in 1998: 47
- Total Units Open in 2022: 326
Glass Doctor
- Ranked: 25 years consecutively
- Rank in 1999: 302
- Rank in 2023: 180
- Total Units Open in 1999: 25
- Total Units Open in 2022: 189
The Goddard School
- Ranked: 25 years consecutively
- Rank in 1999: 445
- Rank in 2023: 60
- Total Units Open in 1999: 50
- Total Units Open in 2022: 595
Keller Williams
- Ranked: 25 years consecutively
- Rank in 1999: 237
- Rank in 2023: 110
- Total Units Open in 1999: 70
- Total Units Open in 2022: 1,091
Miracle Method Surface Refinishing
- Ranked: 25 years consecutively
- Rank in 1999: 436
- Rank in 2023: 143
- Total Units Open in 1999: 97
- Total Units Open in 2022: 167
Pirtek
- Ranked: 25 years consecutively
- Rank in 1999: 318
- Rank in 2023: 107
- Total Units Open in 1999: 164
- Total Units Open in 2022: 587
Screenmobile
- Ranked: 25 years consecutively
- Rank in 1999: 390
- Rank in 2023: 163
- Total Units Open in 1999: 51
- Total Units Open in 2022: 149
Sport Clips Haircuts
- Ranked: 25 years consecutively
- Rank in 1999: 451
- Rank in 2023: 30
- Total Units Open in 1999: 21
- Total Units Open in 2022: 1,895
Ranking Note: ‘Total Units Open in 2022’ are as of July 31, 2022
Related: The 10 Commandments of Franchise Ownership
Image Credit: Courtesy of Hampton by Hilton
The 10+ Club
The 10+ Club honors those brands that are working their way toward the Hall of Fame distinction, having ranked 10 to 24 years consecutively so far.
20 – 24 Years
Minuteman Press
Ranked: 24 years
Signarama
Ranked: 24 years
Anago Cleaning Systems
Ranked: 23 years
MaidPro
Ranked: 23 years
Buildingstars
Ranked: 22 years
Cost Cutters Family Hair Care
Ranked: 22 years
Cruise Planners
Ranked: 22 years
DoubleTree by Hilton
Ranked: 22 years
Embassy Suites by Hilton
Ranked: 22 years
Fish Window Cleaning
Ranked: 22 years
Hampton by Hilton
Ranked: 22 years
Hilton Garden Inn
Ranked: 22 years
Hilton Hotels and Resorts
Ranked: 22 years
Homewood Suites by Hilton
Ranked: 22 years
Plato’s Closet
Ranked: 22 years
Supercuts
Ranked: 22 years
Super 8 by Wyndham
Ranked: 22 years
Ben & Jerry’s
Ranked: 21 years
Fully Promoted
Ranked: 21 years
Kiddie Academy
Ranked: 21 years
Labor Finders
Ranked: 21 years
RooterMan
Ranked: 21 years
Image360
Ranked: 20 years
Right at Home
Ranked: 20 years
Related: Franchising Could Be the Secret to Reaping the Rewards of a Down Economy. Here Are 5 Reasons Why.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Pizza Hut
15 -19 Years
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Ranked: 19 years
Palm Beach Tan
Ranked: 19 years
Weichert
Ranked: 19 years
Anytime Fitness
Ranked: 18 years
Cinnabon
Ranked: 18 years
Papa Johns
Ranked: 18 years
Spherion Staffing & Recruiting
Ranked: 18 years
Ace Hardware
Ranked: 17 years
Baymont by Wyndham
Ranked: 17 years
Baskin-Robbins
Ranked: 16 years
Carl’s Jr.
Ranked: 16 years
Circle K
Ranked: 16 years
Dairy Queen
Ranked: 16 years
Hardee’s
Ranked: 16 years
KFC
Ranked: 16 years
Pizza Hut
Ranked: 16 years
Primrose Schools
Ranked: 16 years
Senior Helpers
Ranked: 16 years
Bojangles
Ranked: 15 years
Checkers and Rally’s
Ranked: 15 years
Chester’s
Ranked: 15 years
Tutor Doctor
Ranked: 15 years
Window Gang
Ranked: 15 years
Related: The Top 15 Franchises You Can Buy for $25,000 or Less
Image Credit: Courtesy of Jersey Mike’s
10 – 14 Years
Camp Bow Wow
Ranked: 14 years
H&R Block
Ranked: 14 years
Pearle Vision
Ranked: 14 years
Ziebart
Ranked: 14 years
ASP-America’s Swimming Pool Company
Ranked: 13 years
BrightStar Care
Ranked: 13 years
CMIT Solutions
Ranked: 13 years
CPR Cell Phone Repair
Ranked: 13 years
Culver’s
Ranked: 13 years
Jet-Black/Yellow Dawg Striping
Ranked: 13 years
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
Ranked: 13 years
The Learning Experience Academy of Early Education
Ranked: 13 years
Pop-A-Lock
Ranked: 13 years
Rainbow Restoration
Ranked: 13 years
School of Rock
Ranked: 13 years
Transworld Business Advisors
Ranked: 13 years
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
Ranked: 12 years
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Ranked: 12 years
The Honey Baked Ham Co.
Ranked: 12 years
Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs
Ranked: 12 years
Jersey Mike’s Subs
Ranked: 12 years
Real Property Management
Ranked: 12 years
Sonic Drive-In
Ranked: 12 years
Weed Man
Ranked: 12 years
Dale Carnegie
Ranked: 11 years
Estrella Insurance
Ranked: 11 years
FirstLight Home Care
Ranked: 11 years
The Good Feet Store
Ranked: 11 years
Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa
Ranked: 11 years
HomeVestors of America
Ranked: 11 years
Jan-Pro Cleaning and Disinfecting
Ranked: 11 years
The Joint Chiropractic
Ranked: 11 years
Kona Ice
Ranked: 11 years
Mac Tools
Ranked: 11 years
MassageLuXe
Ranked: 11 years
1-800-Got-Junk?
Ranked: 11 years
Pet Supplies Plus
Ranked: 11 years
PrideStaff
Ranked: 11 years
RNR Tire Express
Ranked: 11 years
Rosati’s Pizza
Ranked: 11 years
Schlotzsky’s
Ranked: 11 years
Uptown Cheapskate
Ranked: 11 years
Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions
Ranked: 10 years
Closets By Design
Ranked: 10 years
Crunch
Ranked: 10 years
Del Taco
Ranked: 10 years
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Restaurant
Ranked: 10 years
Interim HealthCare
Ranked: 10 years
McAlister’s Deli
Ranked: 10 years
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning
Ranked: 10 years
Phenix Salon Suites
Ranked: 10 years
Taco Bell
Ranked: 10 years
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Ranked: 10 years
Related: 5 Good Reasons to Work With a Franchise Broker
Image Credit: Courtesy of Taco Bell
#1 in Category
The #1 in Category Club are those rare franchise brands that have ranked #1 in their industry category in the Franchise 500 for the last 10-plus years.
Dunkin’
Ranked #1 in category 37: years
The UPS Store
Ranked #1 in category: 33 years
Budget Blinds
Ranked #1 in category: 28 years
Kumon
Ranked #1 in category: 22 years
RooterMan
Ranked #1 in category: 21 years
Charleys Cheesesteaks & Wings
Ranked #1 in category: 20 years
Minuteman Press
Ranked #1 in category: 20 years
Servpro
Ranked #1 in category: 20 years
Hampton by Hilton
Ranked #1 in category: 14 years
Once Upon A Child
Ranked #1 in category: 14 years
Cinnabon
Ranked #1 in category: 12 years
Express Employment Professionals
Ranked #1 in category: 12 years
7-Eleven
Ranked #1 in category: 12 years
Jan-Pro Cleaning and Disinfecting
Ranked #1 in category: 11 years
Snap-on Tools
Ranked #1 in category: 11 years
Transworld Business Advisors
Ranked #1 in category: 11 years
Taco Bell
Ranked #1 in category: 10 years
Related: Owning a Franchise Could Be Your Fastest Route to Business Ownership. Here’s What You Need to Know to Succeed.