2025 Top 100 Franchises Report

For over 15 years, Franchise Direct has published its Top 100 Global Franchises Ranking, one of the most well-known franchise rankings in the industry. The ranking and report are meant to offer a snapshot look at some notable franchise operations each year, from emerging brands to icons of the industry. Please note that the ranking is not exhaustive. It is also not meant to be taken as an endorsement of any of the franchise brands mentioned therein.

Factors in the ranking include franchise longevity, system size and initial investment amount, among other data points. To review the methodology please click here.

For additional information about any franchise, please click the link through to that franchise’s profile below or via the Top 100 Franchises Ranking page. For many of the franchises, you will have the option to hit the “Request Information” button to directly contact that franchise for even more details on franchise ownership of that brand.

With continued strong expansion, it added 147 locations this past year, The UPS Store now tops 5,700 center locations—and remains the top franchise in our ranking. 

Beyond unit growth, the company boasts its “Customer First, People Led, and Innovation Driven” values. The franchise “continued to encourage more first-time owners from a variety of backgrounds through its Diversity Ownership Program, veteran's franchise discount, first responder franchise discount and, new in 2024, first-generation business owner discount – all of which offer generous discounts on the franchise fee for first-time owners of The UPS Store franchise.”

In addition to its more traditional outlets, The UPS Store also installed about 1,000 more self-serve kiosks in store locations in 2024, bringing the total tally to 2,895 self-serve kiosks to help customers streamline their online returns.

No stranger to accolades, the mailing and shipping franchise also ranks No. 1 on Forbes’ list for Best Customer Service for both 2024 and 2025 as well as No. 6 ranking on Entrepreneur Magazine’s annual Franchise 500® list.

Unfortunately, disasters happen. But as a silver lining, there are companies such as No. 2 SERVPRO and No. 5 PuroClean to help with the rebuilding. Both franchises specialize in cleanup and restoration from fire, smoke, water, wind, and biohazards.

Hydraulic and industrial hose service isn’t a glamorous industry. However, it is a necessary one and PIRTEK has found its niche within this industry. With strong year-over-year growth, the B2B (business-to-business) franchise vaults up to No. 3 in our Top 100 ranking for 2025. “Our growth is truly driven by the dedication and hard work of our franchisees and their teams,” Kim Gubera, CEO of PIRTEK USA, said in October 2024. “It's exciting to welcome new owners into the PIRTEK network while seeing familiar faces continue to expand.”

Window coverings franchise Budget Blinds checks in at No. 4 this year. The franchise earned several accolades in the past year, including ranking as a Top Franchise Brand for Women by FBR as well as company president, Heather Nykolaychuk, being named as one of the Top Women of Wonder for 2024 by Franchise Dictionary Magazine.

Ace Handyman Services (No. 6) also finds itself in the top 10 again this year. Named as one of Yahoo Finance's “The Most Profitable Small Businesses to Start in 2024,” the home services franchise offers “a reasonable cost of entry in a segment that is not just a fashionable trend, but a strong consumer need.”

Adding 75 units over the past year, No. 7 Anago Cleaning Systems returns to the top 10 for 2025 as well. The winner of 20 industry awards in 2024, is “heavily invested” in digital marketing strategies to generate more leads for its master franchisee-focused offering.

One of multiple Top 100 appearances from franchise conglomerate Neighborly, plumbing franchise Mr. Rooter makes an appearance in the 2025 top 10 at No. 8.

No. 9 Kitchen Tune-Up follows up its strong debut in last year’s ranking by again ranking in the top 10 this year just ahead of perennial Top 100 franchise Express Employment Professionals (No. 10).
 

No. 11 Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services starts a collection of 11 home and senior care franchises in this year’s ranking, including five in the Top 25, underscoring the assertion from Homewatch CareGivers (No. 61) that “There’s never been a better, more urgent time to enter the home care space and provide our seniors with the dignified independence they deserve.”

No. 27 Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa was buoyed in the past year in its quest to “establish a presence in new, priority markets” by the conversion of 30 former LaVida Massage locations across seven states in the last quarter of 2024.

The winner of four Magellan Awards from Travel Weekly, a top travel industry trade publication, Dream Vacations finds itself in the Top 10 at No. 34. The travel franchise has more than bounced back from COVID-induced blip with its flexible “work-from-anywhere” franchise opportunity.

Following a successful expansion into Alberta, Chick-fil-A (No. 41) plans to open to seven restaurants in the Canadian province of British Columbia by 2030. The move is part of Chick-fil-A's $1 billion international expansion initiative to enter five international markets by 2030. The food franchise also has plans to open restaurants in Europe and Asia by 2026.

Kona Ice slots in at No. 51. With firm footing secured within the mobile frozen treats market, the shaved ice franchise is branching out with its Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee mobile concept, which itself barely missed making the Top 100 this year.

The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill (No. 72) plans to quadruple its U.S. footprint and expand into Australia, Ireland, South America, and the Middle East over the next decade. It and UFG sibling brand Graze Craze (No. 87) were both named one of Global Franchise’s “50 exciting international food and drink franchises to watch in 2025.”

“The past year was not just a chapter of expansion and numbers but a story of innovation, resilience, and collaboration,” according to Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control (No. 79). “From welcoming new franchisees to securing significant territory expansions, 2024 laid the groundwork for an even brighter future.”

No. 83 Mathnasium celebrated the opening of its 1,000th US center. Internationally, the children’s education franchise celebrated the opening of its 100th Canadian “centre” and the signing of an agreement with a master franchisor to enter the Romanian market with 25 units.

Ranked on both the 2024 Inc. 5000 list and the 2024 Entrepreneur 500, BODYBAR Pilates (No. 97) has welcomed 54 new franchise owners over the last three years including 22 new openings last year.

So many great companies, so few spots!

Inevitably in ranking only 100 franchises, there are great concepts that don't make the cut.

Here are some more fantastic franchises that are making their mark in an incredibly diverse and ever-growing industry.