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
- 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
- Ranked: 44 years consecutively
- Rank in 1980: 77
- Rank in 2023: 79
- Total Units Open in 1980: 260
- Total Units Open in 2022: 625
- 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
- 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
- Ranked: 40 years consecutively
- Rank in 1984: 219
- Rank in 2023: 119
- Total Units Open in 1984: 126
- Total Units Open in 2022: 996
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Ranked: 39 years consecutively
- Rank in 1985: 437
- Rank in 2023: 51
- Total Units Open in 1985: 18
- Total Units Open in 2022: 996
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Ranked: 37 years consecutively
- Rank in 1987: 461
- Rank in 2023: 104
- Total Units Open in 1987: 33
- Total Units Open in 2022: 289
- Ranked: 36 years consecutively
- Rank in 1988: 114
- Rank in 2023: 435
- Total Units Open in 1988: 209
- Total Units Open in 2022: 263
- 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
- Ranked: 35 years consecutively
- Rank in 1989: 126
- Rank in 2023: 179
- Total Units Open in 1989: 165
- Total Units Open in 2022: 416
- 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
- Ranked: 34 years consecutively
- Rank in 1990: 398
- Rank in 2023: 62
- Total Units Open in 1990: 38
- Total Units Open in 2022: 761
- Ranked: 34 years consecutively
- Rank in 1990: 499
- Rank in 2023: 138
- Total Units Open in 1990: 22
- Total Units Open in 2022: 261
- Ranked: 33 years consecutively
- Rank in 1991: 376
- Rank in 2023: 336
- Total Units Open in 1991: 43
- Total Units Open in 2022: 223
- Ranked: 32 years consecutively
- Rank in 1992: 231
- Rank in 2023: 142
- Total Units Open in 1992: 255
- Total Units Open in 2022: 488
- 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
- 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
- Ranked: 30 years consecutively
- Rank in 1994: 138
- Rank in 2023: 392
- Total Units Open in 1994: 531
- Total Units Open in 2022: 246
- Ranked: 30 years consecutively
- Rank in 1994: 351
- Rank in 2023: 89
- Total Units Open in 1994: 19
- Total Units Open in 2022: 710
- 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
- 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
- Ranked: 29 years consecutively
- Rank in 1995: 331
- Rank in 2023: 351
- Total Units Open in 1995: 25
- Total Units Open in 2022: 725
- Ranked: 29 years consecutively
- Rank in 1995: 359
- Rank in 2023: 150
- Total Units Open in 1995: 82
- Total Units Open in 2022: 372
- Ranked: 29 years consecutively
- Rank in 1995: 162
- Rank in 2023: 213
- Total Units Open in 1995: 80
- Total Units Open in 2022: 404
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Ranked: 26 years consecutively
- Rank in 1998: 408
- Rank in 2023: 134
- Total Units Open in 1998: 47
- Total Units Open in 2022: 326
- Ranked: 25 years consecutively
- Rank in 1999: 302
- Rank in 2023: 180
- Total Units Open in 1999: 25
- Total Units Open in 2022: 189
- Ranked: 25 years consecutively
- Rank in 1999: 445
- Rank in 2023: 60
- Total Units Open in 1999: 50
- Total Units Open in 2022: 595
- 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
- Ranked: 25 years consecutively
- Rank in 1999: 318
- Rank in 2023: 107
- Total Units Open in 1999: 164
- Total Units Open in 2022: 587
- Ranked: 25 years consecutively
- Rank in 1999: 390
- Rank in 2023: 163
- Total Units Open in 1999: 51
- Total Units Open in 2022: 149
- 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
Ranked: 24 years
Ranked: 24 years
Ranked: 23 years
Ranked: 23 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 22 years
Ranked: 21 years
Ranked: 21 years
Ranked: 21 years
Ranked: 21 years
Ranked: 21 years
Ranked: 20 years
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
Ranked: 19 years
Ranked: 19 years
Ranked: 19 years
Ranked: 18 years
Ranked: 18 years
Ranked: 18 years
Spherion Staffing & Recruiting
Ranked: 18 years
Ranked: 17 years
Ranked: 17 years
Ranked: 16 years
Ranked: 16 years
Ranked: 16 years
Ranked: 16 years
Ranked: 16 years
Ranked: 16 years
Ranked: 16 years
Ranked: 16 years
Ranked: 16 years
Ranked: 15 years
Ranked: 15 years
Ranked: 15 years
Ranked: 15 years
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
Ranked: 14 years
Ranked: 14 years
Ranked: 14 years
Ranked: 14 years
ASP-America’s Swimming Pool Company
Ranked: 13 years
Ranked: 13 years
Ranked: 13 years
Ranked: 13 years
Ranked: 13 years
Jet-Black/Yellow Dawg Striping
Ranked: 13 years
Ranked: 13 years
The Learning Experience Academy of Early Education
Ranked: 13 years
Ranked: 13 years
Ranked: 13 years
Ranked: 13 years
Ranked: 13 years
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
Ranked: 12 years
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Ranked: 12 years
Ranked: 12 years
Ranked: 12 years
Ranked: 12 years
Ranked: 12 years
Ranked: 12 years
Ranked: 12 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Jan-Pro Cleaning and Disinfecting
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Ranked: 11 years
Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions
Ranked: 10 years
Ranked: 10 years
Ranked: 10 years
Ranked: 10 years
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Restaurant
Ranked: 10 years
Ranked: 10 years
Ranked: 10 years
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning
Ranked: 10 years
Ranked: 10 years
Ranked: 10 years
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.
Ranked #1 in category 37: years
Ranked #1 in category: 33 years
Ranked #1 in category: 28 years
Ranked #1 in category: 22 years
Ranked #1 in category: 21 years
Ranked #1 in category: 20 years
Ranked #1 in category: 20 years
Ranked #1 in category: 20 years
Ranked #1 in category: 14 years
Ranked #1 in category: 14 years
Ranked #1 in category: 12 years
Express Employment Professionals
Ranked #1 in category: 12 years
Ranked #1 in category: 12 years
Jan-Pro Cleaning and Disinfecting
Ranked #1 in category: 11 years
Ranked #1 in category: 11 years
Ranked #1 in category: 11 years
Ranked #1 in category: 10 years
