AllBusiness AllStar Franchises

Sandwich shops are better positioned than most restaurants to do well in the economic downturn. Ranked at #80 for growth on the AllBusiness AllStars list, Lenny's Sub Shop added more than 50 units in the past two years. The company is expanding across the country,...

Cost Cutters is part of the Regis Corporation family of personal care brands which includes AllBusiness AllStar Supercuts (#39) and Pro-Cuts (#263). While they compete with independent hair salons, franchisees have the benefit of the franchise system's economies of scale and well-known name. Acquiring new...

In the very short time it's been franchising, CLIX Portrait Studios has achieved tremendous growth. All CLIX franchisees are owner-operators, and the company encourages innovation among them. The company offers two very different franchise options: a retail portrait studio or a photography business that can...

Relax The Back has been franchising for 20 years. In that time, it has successfully weathered a change in ownership, as well as a reorganization of the company in 2000 after overexpanding. Now, even in an extremely tough retail environment, Relax The Back is still...

Sir Speedy is a long-established franchising pioneer. In business and franchising since 1968, the company's brand is very familiar to its small and midsize businesses customers looking for printing solutions. At one time, PIP Printing and Marketing Services was its competitor; now the two companies...

Decor&You saw strong growth in recent years due to the housing boom. Now, the company faces the same challenges in today's economy as other home-improvement franchises. However, the fact that this company handles both residential and commercial interiors may give it an advantage. Decor&You is...

Franchising for more than 10 years, Passport Health has shown respectable growth, fueled both by an increase in international travel and its unique niche. This is a relatively recession-resistant business, and the company scored extremely high in overall financial strength (#3). The CEO has worked...

A recognized leader in its industry, Line-X is constantly winning awards for its products -- most recently it won the 2008 North American Truck Bedliners "Product of the Year" award. Line-X is continually developing new ways to use its products, and in a tough economy,...

This is a fast-growing franchise system where franchisees have the flexibility of running the business either as hands-on operators or as managers that hire employees to do the work. Costs vary, but M.A.R.S. is a fairly low-cost investment either way, and can be run from...

Huddle House ranked high in longevity (#31) among the AllBusiness AllStars. Best known in the South, this restaurant franchise is now seeking expansion into new markets in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Southwestern U.S. The company's diner-style restaurants are family- and value-oriented, making them a good...

While home-remodeling companies may face some economic challenges today, Archadeck's many years in business and franchising will prove to be an asset, as will the company's relative financial stability (it ranked a solid #50 in financial strength in our AllBusiness AllStars ranking). If the recession...

Blimpie is a longtime sandwich brand with a very familiar name. In 2006, the company was bought by Kahala Corp., which is in the business of purchasing and managing a huge portfolio of quick-service food brands. In recent years, Blimpie has been losing units, but...

Although Teriyaki Experience has been franchising for more than 20 years, the company's growth has until recently been focused outside the U.S., with locations throughout Canada, the Middle East, Italy, and the Caribbean. But Teriyaki Experience recently launched an aggressive expansion plan in the U.S.,...

Formerly owned by CKE Restaurants (parent of Carl's Jr. and Hardees), in 2007 La Salsa was acquired by the same parent company that owns Baja Fresh Mexican Grill. The alliance brings together two Mexican quick-service brands with a strong brand presence in Southern California. Last...

Originally founded as a house-sitting and pet-sitting service, Homewatch CareGivers later added companion care service. When the senior care market started to take off, Homewatch CareGivers found its niche and began enjoying explosive growth. The company has begun aggressive growth outside the U.S. and currently...

Curves led the fitness boom several years ago, and although there has been a bit of a controversy as to why the company has lost so many units in recent years, the brand name recognition is still a plus for any franchisee. The company says...

Express Oil Change has been franchising for 25 years and has managed to maintain a steady number of units. The company is now looking to expand aggressively throughout the southern United States. Express Oil Change ranks fairly high in overall financial strength (#101), giving it...

Kitchen Solvers has been franchising for 25 years and has maintained a steady number of units. Although home-improvement companies are facing challenges in the current economy, the need for remodeling will likely increase as homeowners stay in their homes longer instead of moving up. Kitchen...

Franchising for more than 20 years, TAB Boards International has maintained a steady number of units both domestically and outside the U.S., and the company ranks #93 for financial strength among the AllBusiness AllStars. With small-business startups projected to grow in the recession as more...

Unishippers has been in business and franchising for over 20 years. But until recently, the company had sold out of franchise opportunities; only in 2007 did it begin offering franchises for sale again. Unishippers just finalized an agreement with UPS to be its ground and...

A pioneer in bagel franchising (a hot trend in the early 1990s), Bruegger's has made a comeback. In 2004 Sun Capital Partners purchased the company and gave it the financial backing it needed to grow. With a varied menu that helps franchisees maximize sales, Bruegger's...

This niche restaurant chain has focused on New York City and other regions where Caribbean food is most likely to appeal to diners. Golden Krust offers two concepts -- a full-service restaurant or a kiosk option suited for nontraditional locations like airports, hospitals, and food...

Founded by two fraternity brothers, Wing Zone has shown steady growth in its more than 15 years in business. The chicken wing restaurants focus on takeout and delivery, and the "keep it simple" model focuses on maximizing efficiency and profits. Still run by its energetic...

Heavy franchise unit loss in the U.S. hurt Candy Bouquet's ranking, and a prospective franchisee should ask the franchisor why there has been so much loss. However, the system's size, longevity, and financial stability contributed to its ranking in the top 250, and Candy Bouquet...

Longevity and financial stability are the strong points that make Parcel Plus a AllBusiness AllStar. It's been under the umbrella of parent company ICED since 2000. ICED is also parent copy of Kwik Kopy Business Centers, Computer Explorers, The Ink Well, Franklin's, and AWT, and...