AllBusiness AllStar Franchises

Play It Again Sports ranks fairly well in longevity and brand awareness; it also has good Web visibility and financial strength (#58). However, the company's growth ranking declined a bit, causing its overall rank on our AllStar list to drop this year. Play It Again...

Thanks to the recession, more people are remodeling instead of moving to new homes, and Re-Bath’s affordable bathroom remodeling services are appealing to homeowners on a budget. Re-Bath promotes its franchise as a good add-on to an existing home maintenance or repair business. Re-Bath is...

This disaster restoration services franchise boasts an excellent longevity ranking (#39), and is backed by a strong parent company, FirstService Corp., which owns a portfolio of home-improvement and property-service franchises. Paul Davis Restoration did move lower on our AllStar list, however, due to a slight...

Specialty pet retailing has been one of the bright spots in our shaky economy, and Petland markets specifically to the niche not filled by the “big box” pet supply stores that focus primarily on selling pet foods. Petland’s been franchising since the early 1970s, giving...

New to our AllStar list, Huntington Learning Center provides K-12 tutoring, test prep, and SAT/PSAT & ACT preparation. The company ranks high in longevity (#120), and brand awareness (#132). Parents are still willing to pay for services that help their children succeed, making children’s education...

It may not be a household name everywhere, but Line-X, which makes spray-on protective coatings for truck beds and other equipment, is very well known in its industry. That’s reflected in its brand awareness ranking (#104). The company held steady on our AllStar list —...

While Midas’ growth ranking increased slightly this year (to #279 from #291), the franchisor’s financial health ranking dropped significantly (from #159 to #278), bumping the company lower on our AllStar list. However, franchisees still benefit from the company’s strong longevity (#15), and its large system...

Cost Cutters essentially maintained its spot on our AllStar list this year. Cost Cutters is part of the Regis Corporation family of hair-care franchises and benefits from the parent company’s size and strength. Its longevity ranking is fairly strong, at #115; its system size gives...

Crown Trophy, which sells trophies and awards, is the only franchise company in its industry, giving it market dominance. It also has licenses for many proprietary logos such as Little League Baseball. Giving back to the community is a big part of its mission, and...

In a tough economy, the resale market is hot, and Kid to Kid Franchise System is profiting from the trend. The retailer of gently used children’s clothing and accessories moved up on our AllStar list, thanks primarily to a substantial increase in its financial health...

Kinderdance moved up on our AllStar list thanks to its improved growth (from #262 last year to #224) and financial health rankings (from #74 to an outstanding #11). This children’s fitness company has longevity on its side, having been franchising for more than two decades....

Long-time franchisor Golden Corral appeals to families, offering affordable meals, and a vast array of menu choices — a perfect fit for today’s uncertain economy. The company boasts fairly good longevity (#107), as well as brand awareness (#102), and Web visibility (#48). However, the company’s...

Quiznos has outstanding brand awareness (#19), Web visibility (#19), and fairly good longevity (#107). But the sandwich franchisor is also facing some serious challenges. Quiznos has been losing units (its growth ranking is near the bottom, at #299) and fighting lawsuits by unhappy franchisees over...

Mr. Appliance has benefited from the economic downturn as more customers choose to repair appliances rather than replace them. Mr. Appliance added units in 2009, and had a strong growth ranking of #74 — up from its already strong prior ranking of #83. However, the...

Despite a tough economy, there is still a strong demand for child-care services. Kiddie Academy focuses on academic enrichment, something that parents have shown a willingness to pay for even when money is tight. Kiddie Academy’s growth ranking improved from #182 to #94 in our...

With 30 years in business, ColorTyme may be a newcomer to our AllStar list, but is a veteran in the rent-to-own industry. The recession has been good to ColorTyme as more Americans on a budget look for low-cost ways to get the furniture, appliances, and...

Young Rembrandts, which teaches art to children, has been in business for over 20 years. It offers a low-investment opportunity that can be operated from home. It can also be a part-time business, making it a good fit for moms with children in school. Although...

Planet Beach gets points for its brand awareness (#130), and Web visibility (#151). However, its financial health and growth rankings declined (to #290 and #184, respectively), moving the company substantially lower on the AllStar list. In the past few years Planet Beach has rebranded itself...

ComForcare Senior Services demonstrated impressive growth this year, increasing its number of units by more than 20 percent. The company’s growth ranking improved from #168 last year to a strong #55 this year, moving ComForcare up on our AllStar list. The home health-care industry is...

Passport Health has a unique niche: The company provides vaccines for business travelers heading overseas, as well as seasonal immunizations for corporate clients. The non-travel side of the business is recession-resistant, though Passport did lose a few units in 2009. The company continues to boast...

In business for over 80 years, Woodcraft has a unique niche and ranks fairly high in longevity (#91).The retailer of woodworking supplies fell on our AllStar list, mostly due to a significant drop in its financial health ranking (from #51 to #186). Since the average...

An improved financial strength ranking (from #139 to #108) and growth ranking (from #288 to #267) earned PIP Printing and Marketing Services a higher spot on this year’s AllStar list. PIP was a franchise pioneer in the printing industry, and franchisees benefit from the brand’s...

ACFN (American Consumer Financial Network) provides ATM services to hotels and other travel- and entertainment-based businesses. The franchise offers a low-cost opportunity that can be run from home and part-time, making it especially appealing to moms with children in school or retirees seeking to supplement...

Ben & Jerry’s may be new to our AllStar list, but this socially responsible ice cream franchisor has been around since the 1980s, earning it high rankings for longevity (#104), brand awareness (#106), and Web visibility (an impressive #40). Ice cream can be an affordable...

Instead of buying new cars, budget-minded Americans are keeping their “paid-off” cars longer, and want to keep them running smoothly. Auto repair and maintenance companies like Christian Brothers Automotive are benefiting from this frugal approach. Christian Brothers Automotive added units this year, earning it a...