Top 10 Franchises Of 2011

Despite the fact that we're still riding the economic roller coaster, franchises continue to see impressive growth. Though the mainstays like McDonald's are still holding strong, young, innovative businesses are posing a challenge to typical operations.

Every year, Entrepreneur sets out to rank the top franchises in the U.S. in its Franchise 500. While this year's top 10 contains many familiar faces, including a repeat winner in the number-one spot, a growing number of new ideas and business models staked their claim on the ranking. With 13,725 new units added and a 16 percent growth over last year, it's clear that the appeal of franchising still looms large for franchisors and franchisees alike.

Here's a look at this year's Franchise 500 Top 10 ranking. Check out the complete list here.

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Comments

[born 2b different]

01:16 PM on 12/22/2011

Days Inn? Hope you like used condoms and empty drug bags under your bed.

[bighealy]

05:22 PM on 12/18/2011

We like to stay at Hampton Inns. They are almost always a good place to stay at a reasonable price. I say almost because some of them are franchised out to Indian management. As is usually found in hotels under such management they are sub par, i.e. run down and not clean. To wit one we stopped on I-40 east of Nashville, Tennessee was so bad that after we got in our room that we just checked out and left.

[mspat44417]

05:13 PM on 12/18/2011

Surprised that a hotel is on there...7-11 yes I can see them they are every where in Ca. And yes McDs I like them over all they have good food...

[jorgearij]

04:53 PM on 12/18/2011

What about BK?

[Meredith Walker]

02:43 PM on 12/18/2011

I'm surprised that Starbucks did not make this list. It seems like there is a Starbucks on every corner and in every store.

[gentryallenmusic]

04:14 PM on 12/18/2011

Starbucks does not franchise there restaurants, there all owned by the company.

[mwnyy]

01:16 PM on 12/18/2011

I work at a store that was just bought by 7-11, in NY. How did they make the list? Prices are so high.

[OscarVA]

01:43 PM on 01/10/2012

they are a "Convenient" store. You are paying for the convenience.

[cookv]

12:29 PM on 12/18/2011

After my last post, I read a few posts from others and learned that Dunkin Donuts doesn't make them on site anymore. Eeeeewwwwahh! No wonder they taste like they're 2 days old and the customer service is bad. Makes sense now. Oh well, like I stated before, I can special order fresh ones when I want them.

[cookv]

12:26 PM on 12/18/2011

Yes, Dunkin Donuts has gone downhill. The last thing you want to hear from any bakery is that "vanilla creme" filled donuts don't sell in this town. You can't buy them anymore unless you are willing to drive 20 miles out of the way to another Dunkin Donuts. No thanks, I'll special order them from Publix and they will taste a lot better. You would think Dunkin would provide it before Publix; however, you have to special order them now. They can't be that hard to make; I would think that if that is what you want that either one could have the unfilled donuts on hand and simply load them up with the vanilla creme or butter creme "if requested" at the time they're ordered and if they're not, then make the Bosten creme instead since they think they sell better; however, a customer should be able to get a "vanilla creme" long john when they want one. I have vented now and I feel better. Thank you.

[cptnjacks7]

12:19 PM on 12/18/2011

Dunkin Donuts has the best coffee, Best Donuts I would say some grocery stores and they are cheaper. Best Fries is at McDonalds, best all American lunch consisting of burger,fries,salad and shake is at Denny's Best Burger is at Sonic. The polls are generated by who makes the most cash, I believe the old places are still the best such as the ones I mentioned

[chance27605]

12:04 PM on 12/18/2011

I would be interested in hearing how the determine the rankings. How does 7-11 make the list? There's hardly any left. ServPro? I travel throughout the US and have not even heard of them. And speaking of traveling throughout the US, I would not stay in a Days Inn and they're becoming as extinct as 7-11.

[mspat44417]

05:15 PM on 12/18/2011

Guess you haven't been to Ca. then they are all over there..Ever Middle eastern owns one there...

[tedrowleeves]

11:49 AM on 12/18/2011

The WORST thing about Dunkin Donuts is their customer service. It's the main reason I go to Starbucks for coffee - the difference in their customer service is that dramatic.

[Patrick Fogarty]

11:21 AM on 12/18/2011

A couple of things surprise me in this survey . One is that they are listed by Huff Post under small business . None of the ten franchises are small business . The other thing that surprised me is that Servpro , according to their numbers is no. 4 on the list . What did not surprise me is that all are services , more or less . It seems as though the mind set of this country is anything but manufacturing . We can not sustain our population on wages from services that parallel the poverty level . We need to think more manufacturing !

[GWChimpzilla]

10:33 AM on 12/18/2011

McDonald's 'healthy' oatmeal has more sugar than a Snickers bar.

[buccaneerdman]

10:49 AM on 12/18/2011

But whats funny in grocery stores you have "instant" oatmeals with all the sugars. Regular oatmeal only takes like 3mins to make, you can add some nutrasweet and fresh fruit and its better. Just makes me laugh when I see the word instant next to oatmeal, cream of wheat or grits. They are instant anyway. Just here spend a little more money for that word..lol.

[IndependentGadfly]

10:26 AM on 12/18/2011

sigh .... in America, we used to make things. Now we just consume fast food and have become service oriented.

[jflorish]

11:45 AM on 12/18/2011

Actually fast food and other similiar food places have always been there, just not as many choices as today.

[fmazoman51]

10:26 AM on 12/18/2011

Had a Subway the other day, couldnt hardly find the meat. Not excited about 7-11 coffee, and a lot of clerks look like they just got out of prison. I would guess they don't pay enough. Pizza Hut used to be better, but still cheap. Stayed at a Days Inn a few mo ago, nice room, and you know what you are getting. Krispy Creme, too expensive, too sweet, too small. Dunkin, the one I have went to had donuts that had to be there for a couple of days, but coffee is good. Had H&R Block do my taxes a few yrs ago, a month later the IRS sent me a letter telling me they that H&R didnt do my taxes right, and the IRS owed me another $400. Have heard they are too conservative when they do your taxes, so they have less chance of having to go to an audit with you.

[jflorish]

11:44 AM on 12/18/2011

There are other sub shops that are better, subway used to be better then what it is today.

[Meredith Walker]

02:45 PM on 12/18/2011

I here you. Not only are they cheap on the meat, but they are cheap on the veggies as well. They will actually count out how many olives or green pepper slices they put on a sandwich. If you ask for a little more they'll roll their eyes at you or get annoyed. I'm sorry but if you're paying 5 dollars or more for a 6 inch at least put a little more veggies on the sandwich.