The Franchise 500's Top 10 of 2008
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Looking for a Winner?
Thinking about starting a franchise business? Don't make a move until you check Entrepreneur magazine's yearly list of top franchises, The Franchise 500.
What follows is the cream of the franchise crop and this year there's a new number. Click through this gallery to find out which franchise made the top of the list.
About the Franchise 500
Next: RE/MAXMore From Entrepreneur:
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RE/MAX International
No. 10: RE/MAX
Founded by Dave and Gail Liniger in Denver in 1973, RE/MAX is now a global network of more than 116,000 real estate agents. In the RE/MAX system, agents are in charge of their own business and operate under a maximum commission concept.
No. of Franchises: 6,973
Franchising Since: 1975
Franchise Fee: $12,500 - $25,000
Franchise Details
Next: Domino'sMore From Entrepreneur:
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Douglas C. Pizac, AP
No. 9: Domino's
In 1960, brothers Tom and James Monaghan borrowed $500 to purchase DomiNick's, a pizza store in Ypsilanti, Michigan. In 1965, Tom Monaghan renamed the company Domino's Pizza LLC. The first Domino's Pizza franchise store opened in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1967.
No. of Franchises: 7,902
Franchising Since: 1967
Franchise Fee: $25,000
Franchise Details
Next: InterContinentalMore From Entrepreneur:
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VisMedia
No. 8: InterContinental
InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. Franchising is one of three business models the company uses.
No. of Franchises: 3289
Franchising Since: 1954
Franchise Fee: Varies
Franchise Details
Next: KFCMore From Entrepreneur:
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Rob Carr, AP
No. 7: KFC Corp.
His recipe is still a secret, but more than 2 billion of Colonel Harland Sanders' "finger lickin' good" chicken dinners are served annually in more than 82 countries around the world.
No. of Franchises: 11,071
Franchising Since: 1952
Franchise Fee: $25,000
Franchise Details
Next: SonicMore From Entrepreneur:
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SONIC
No. 6: Sonic
Sonic Industries Inc. was founded in 1973. In 1974, Sonic acquired the name "Sonic Drive-In" from Troy Smith, Sr. Smith used his more than 15 years of experience in the restaurant business to develop and operate the Sonic franchise program.
No. of Franchises: 2,656
Franchising Since: 1959
Franchise Fee: $45,000
Franchise Details
Next: McDonald'sMore From Entrepreneur:
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AP
No. 5: McDonald's
One of the most recognizable brands in the world, McDonald's is also one of the granddaddies of franchising and has been No. 1 on the Franchise 500 eight times.
No. of Franchises: 23,099
Franchising Since: 1955
Franchise Fee: $45,000
Franchise Details
Next: Pizza HutMore From Entrepreneur:
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Rob Carr, AP
No. 4: Pizza Hut
The first Pizza Hut opened its doors in 1958. More than 40 years later, Pizza Hut has locations throughout the world serving its specialty pizzas. Pizza Hut is owned by Yum! Brands, parent company of Taco Bell, KFC, A&W Restaurants and Long John Silver's.
No. of Franchises: 9,881
Franchising Since: 1959
Franchise Fee: $25,000
Franchise Details
Next: Dunkin' DonutsMore From Entrepreneur:
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Robert Sullivan, Getty Images
No. 3: Dunkin' Donuts
In 1946, William Rosenberg founded a company that delivered meals and snacks to workers in the Boston area. The success of it convinced Rosenberg to start the Open Kettle, a doughnut shop in Quincy, Mass. Two years later Open Kettle changed its name to Dunkin' Donuts.
No. of Franchises: 7,376
Franchising Since: 1955
Franchise Fee: $40,000 - $80,000
Franchise Details
Next: SubwayMore From Entrepreneur:
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AP
No. 2: Subway
After struggling through the first few years, the founders began franchising Subway in 1974. Offering a fresh, healthy alternative to fast-food restaurants, Subway has franchises throughout the United States and in several countries, with locations in traditional and nontraditional sites alike.
No. of Franchises: 27,929
Franchising Since: 1974
Startup Costs: $15,000
Franchise Details
Next: 7 ElevenMore From Entrepreneur:
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Tim Boyle, Getty Images
No. 1: 7-Eleven
Taking its name from the hours its stores used to operate (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.), 7-Eleven has grown from a Dallas-based ice company to an international convenience store chain. Approximately 6 million customers visit 7-Eleven stores in the US and Canada each day.
No. of Franchises: 30,642
Franchising Since: 1964
Startup Costs: Varies
Franchise Details
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More Great Franchises
If you're in a hurry to be your own boss and make it big, then one of 2008's top 10 fastest-growing franchises -- offering everything from tax prep to sandwich prep -- are worth your consideration.
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The Franchise 500
From the Top
Want a rundown of the best franchises? See more of this year's best franchise businesses from Entrepreneur magazine's
list of top picks.
Browse the Franchise 500
Or Try These Quick Picks:
- No. 103: Geeks On Call
- No. 244: Cinnabon Inc.
- No. 309: Snappy Auctions
- No. 384: Nature's Way Cafe
- No. 452: The Coffee Beanery
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