AllBusiness AllStar Franchises

This long-established hotel chain (in business since 1974) held steady on our AllStar list. Super 8’s financial strength ranking declined a bit (from #129 to #162), but its growth ranking improved — pretty impressive for a hotel franchise in a recession. The company also boasts...

Franchising since 1982, American Poolplayers Association has maintained its size consistently over the years. The company’s longevity and brand awareness are both ranked fairly high, at #110 and #147 respectively, while growth rose from #244 to #148. The company’s financial strength ranking, already impressive last...

While Culver’s is a newcomer to our AllStar list, the company’s famous ButterBurgers and frozen custard have been favorites in the Midwest for 25 years. Still run by its original founders, the Wisconsin-based franchisor is expanding outside of its Midwestern roots using a “concentric” approach....

At a time when many restaurants are struggling, Wingstop has taken flight. New to our ranking, Wingstop scored very high in our growth category (#35) and recently announced plans to expand into Mexico. Wingstop capitalizes on a hot category — chicken wings — and its...

A newcomer to our AllStar list, Papa Murphy’s is a leader in the take-and-bake pizza niche. Despite the tough economy, the company has seen steady growth, both in the number of new franchises opened, and same-store sales. Papa Murphy’s has proved to be recession-resistant as...

ServiceMaster Clean improved slightly in most ranking categories this year, though its financial strength ranking declined a bit. Overall, however, this cleaning and disaster restoration franchise maintained its high position on our AllStar list, thanks to its longevity (#8), and brand awareness (#24). ServiceMaster Clean...

Like many other food-service franchises, Bojangles has been affected by the financing crunch. While unit growth has continued, it slowed slightly compared to last year, and the company’s growth ranking dropped from #90 to #112. Bojangles’ sales increased 7 percent in the first half of...

Strong expansion internationally, particularly in China, gave KFC a boost in the new ranking. The company also launched a refranchising initiative. In the United States, KFC is counting on its new grilled chicken product to spur sales by winning over health-conscious consumers. The chain’s highly...

Thanks to the proliferation of mobile devices powered by batteries, Batteries Plus is thriving despite the economic downturn. The company’s growth ranking basically held steady, and its financial strength ranking rose from #112 to #84. The constant demand for batteries contributed to consistent increases in...

A refranchising effort contributed to Taco Bell’s #171 ranking in our growth category, and helped it move up in overall rank. Our top-ranked Mexican food franchise, Taco Bell continues to rank very high in brand awareness (#15), longevity (#28) and Web visibility (#18). In the...

By providing an essential service, Comfort Keepers has maintained steady growth even in the recession. The company essentially held steady in the rankings in almost all categories. However, its financial strength ranking declined from #6 last year to #31, causing it to drop just a...

Weight-loss franchisor Jenny Craig has shown fairly consistent system growth, even during the recession. In 2009, the company’s financial strength ranking increased from #126 to #49. Its growth ranking also rose from #232 to #166. Both these factors pushed it higher on our AllStar list....

Benefiting from the hot senior-care market, Senior Helpers rose in the AllStar ranks this year. The company ranked very high in growth (#12), and its financial strength ranking also improved considerably, from #221 to #123. Senior-care is an essential service in any economy, and with...

The Maids Home Services fell in our overall ranking this year based on its flat growth. However, the company’s financial strength ranking improved from #103 to #43, which kept it in our top 100. Requiring a full-time commitment and high net worth, The Maids attracts...

AlphaGraphics moved up substantially on our AllStar list thanks to a big increase in its financial strength ranking (from #201 last year to #73) and growth ranking (from #240 last year to #186). The company is our top-ranked printing franchise overall. In the last few...

Knights Franchise Systems essentially maintained its spot on our AllStar list. The company’s financial strength ranking declined a bit, but its other sub-index rankings remained pretty much the same. Knights ranked respectably in growth (#110), Web visibility (#75), and longevity (#51). It also has a...

Merry Maids' growth ranking rose from #257 to #206 this year, which helped propel the cleaning franchise a bit higher in our AllStar ranks. The company’s financial strength ranking dropped from #39, but is still a fairly stable #138. Merry Maids also has a strong...

Americans’ love affair with their pets is translating into success for Fetch! Pet Care. Although it has only been franchising since 2004, the company is growing quickly (ranking #10 in growth) and is also financially healthy (ranking #118). A Fetch! Pet Care business can be...

Goddard Systems has been franchising for more than 20 years. The recession hasn’t slowed this company’s impressive growth, earning Goddard a growth ranking of #44. However, the company’s financial strength ranking is fairly low (#259). Parents are still spending money on their children’s education, and...

Proforma’s rapid growth pushed it up on our AllStar list this year. The company’s growth ranking surged from #178 last year to #66. While its financial strength ranking is still a bit low, it improved from last year’s #281 to #213. In business over 30...

ActionCOACH maintained the same overall rank as last year, though its growth ranking was slightly stronger (#68, up from #89) and its financial strength ranking slightly weaker (#231, down from #206). Coaching tends to be a hot industry during recessions, as startups launch and existing...

Hot Stuff Foods earned a healthy growth ranking of #86 this year, and its financial strength ranking is also fairly strong at #78. The company's kiosk concept offers a turnkey opportunity, and for a food-service franchise, Hot Stuff Foods also has fairly low startup costs,...

Burger King’s number of domestic franchised units dropped in 2009, but growth in international franchised units remained strong helping the company rise in our ranks. Still, a challenging global economy has cut into Burger King’s sales, and it ranked fairly low in financial strength at...

Despite the recession, Fantastic Sam’s has managed to maintain its system size fairly well. Consumers cutting back on pricey haircuts have helped keep discount hair salons like Fantastic Sam’s going strong. The company’s longevity (#67) and brand awareness (#45) are positives, as is its strong...

Circle K dropped a bit on our overall AllStar list this year. The company’s growth ranking declined slightly (from #152 to #174), as did its financial strength ranking (from #161 to #192). However, the company’s system size gives it very high brand awareness (#28), and...