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Top 50 Franchise Ranking by Leadership

At Franchise Business Review, we analyze franchisee performance by asking franchise owners 33 questions in eight critical areas, including financial opportunity and system operations. But, we also ask the franchise owners to rate their satisfaction with the leadership and the core values, culture, and community that is fostered across the franchise system—in other words, the more intangible aspects that can make or break the franchise experience.

We studied results from over 27,000 franchisee surveys across more than 300 brands to identify 50 of the top leaders in the franchise industry, based exclusively on feedback from their franchisees.

Here is our 2018 Top Franchise Leaders award-winning brands. We'd like to congratulate these companies for their outstanding leadership in the franchise industry. Read interviews with a few of our leadership winners here.

Clear Results
Learn More About Kona Ice
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Kona Ice

Food

It’s the beginning of a new day and it’s time for a fresh start. In a year that had most businesses struggling to just survive, Kona Ice has thrived. Many may have felt like global even...

Investment: $127,750
Cash Required: $20,000

Learn More of Kona Ice

Learn More About Christian Brothers Automotive
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Christian Brothers Automotive

Automotive

Christian Brothers Automotive is more than just vehicle repair. Since its founding in 1982, their goal has been to change the way guests view automotive service. Now more than ever, consumers acros...

Investment: $520,250
Cash Required: $85,000

Learn More of Christian Brothers Automotive

Learn More About FASTSIGNS
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FASTSIGNS

Business Services

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the leading sign and visual communications franchisor in North America, and is the worldwide franchisor of more than 750 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS&...

Investment: $234,317
Cash Required: $80,000

Learn More of FASTSIGNS

Learn More About TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
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TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

Services

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the world, aiming to provide our customers with the highest level of service in both local and long-distance moving, a...

Investment: $105,000
Cash Required: $80,000- $190,000

Learn More of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

Learn More About Pinch A Penny
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Pinch A Penny

Retail

Founded in 1975, Pinch A Penny Pool Patio Spa has grown from one store to more than 250 locations across the Southeastern U.S. and Texas. Priding itself on its superior customer service and experti...

Investment: $334,425
Cash Required: $150,000

Learn More of Pinch A Penny

Learn More About Wild Birds Unlimited
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Wild Birds Unlimited

Retail

With a proven business model over 35 years and over 340 locations, Wild Birds Unlimited is the #1, largest and most recognized source for backyard bird feeding and nature related products in North ...

Investment: $197,919
Cash Required: $40,000- $50,000

Learn More of Wild Birds Unlimited

Learn More About Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative
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Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative

Travel & Hospitality

Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, is the largest home-based travel agency franchise in the nation with over 2,500 franchise owners in all 50 states. Cruise Planners franch...

Investment: $2,295
Cash Required: $1,000-$10,995

Learn More of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative

Learn More About MaidPro
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MaidPro

Cleaning & Maintenance

The home cleaning industry is growing fast, and MaidPro helps you capitalize on that growth. You’ll lead your team of cleaning professionals, be your own boss, control your future and attain ...

Investment: $94,560
Cash Required: $35,000

Learn More of MaidPro

Learn More About Soccer Shots
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Soccer Shots

Child Services

Soccer Shots is an engaging children’s soccer program with a focus on character development. We positively impact children’s lives on and off the field through our best-in-class coachin...

Investment: $43,000
Cash Required: $20,000

Learn More of Soccer Shots

Learn More About Right at Home
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Right at Home

Senior Care

Initially founded in 1995 by former hospital administrator Allen Hager, Right at Home provides in-home care services to allow seniors and people with disabilities to retain as much independence and...

Investment: $82,000
Cash Required: $150,000

Learn More of Right at Home

Learn More About Sandler Training
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Sandler Training

Business Services

At Sandler, we work with people every day who have decided to take control of their destinies. They’re excited about creating a new of kind lifestyle business on their own terms and looking f...

Investment: $101,825
Cash Required: $100,000

Learn More of Sandler Training

Learn More About Checkers & Rally's
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Checkers & Rally's

Food

Checkers & Rally’s franchisees achieve their goals faster with a strong return on investment, innovative technology and competitive growth incentives.

Because of our metrics-dri...

Investment: $790,797
Cash Required: $250,000

Learn More of Checkers & Rally's

Learn More About FirstLight Home Care
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FirstLight Home Care

Senior Care

FirstLight Home Care is a leading provider of home care services, helping individuals achieve the quality of life they deserve. We are a lifeline not only for seniors, but for people recovering fro...

Investment: $113,300
Cash Required: $100,000

Learn More of FirstLight Home Care

Learn More About Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services
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Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services

Cleaning & Maintenance

Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services, based in Palm Harbor, Fla., is one of the most respected full-service commercial cleaning companies in the nation. Office Pride’s business was built...

Investment: $70,900
Cash Required: N/A

Learn More of Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services

Learn More About CarePatrol
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CarePatrol

Senior Care

CarePatrol helps families find assisted living and other housing options for seniors. We refer our clients to top in-home care providers or assisted living communities and receive a generous commis...

Investment: $77,970
Cash Required: $50,000

Learn More of CarePatrol

Learn More About The N2 Company
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The N2 Company

Advertising & Sales

The N2 Company offers proven marketing solutions for local businesses while building a strong sense of community in hundreds of markets nationwide. Through hyper-targeted print publications and dig...

Investment: $975
Cash Required:

Learn More of The N2 Company

Dream Vacations-CruiseOne

Travel & Hospitality
Investment: $1,795
Cash Required: $3,500

American Poolplayers Association

Sports & Recreation
Investment: $22,936
Cash Required: $22,936

Culver's

Food
Investment: $2,398,000
Cash Required: $500,000- $750,00

Sotheby's International Realty

Real Estate
Investment: $194,650
Cash Required: $63,650 - $206,000

Weichert Real Estate

Real Estate
Investment: $62,500
Cash Required: $25,000

Kampgrounds of America

Sports & Recreation
Investment: $30,250
Cash Required: $500,000 - $3,000,000

The Wendy's Company

Food
Investment: $330,000
Cash Required: $500,000

Fish Window Cleaning Services

Services
Investment: $102,800
Cash Required: $100,000

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Food
Investment: $277,000
Cash Required: $125,000

Home Instead

Senior Care
Investment: $125,000
Cash Required: $59,000

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate

Real Estate
Investment: $113,920
Cash Required: $50,000 - $100,000

Planet Fitness

Fitness
Investment: $968,100
Cash Required: $1,500,000

Molly Maid

Cleaning & Maintenance
Investment: $110,200
Cash Required: $65,000

Orangetheory Fitness

Fitness
Investment: $657,542
Cash Required: $150,000

United Country Real Estate

Real Estate
Investment: $10,875
Cash Required: $15,000 - $20,000

College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving

Services
Investment: $108,800
Cash Required: $80,000

Budget Blinds

Home Services
Investment: $110,140
Cash Required: $64,950

HomeVestors of America

Real Estate
Investment: $80,000
Cash Required: $80,000

CertaPro Painters

Home Services
Investment: $90,750​
Cash Required: $80,000

Church's|Texas Chicken

Food
Investment: $348,300
Cash Required: $600,000

Scooter's Coffee

Food
Investment: $351,000
Cash Required: $100,000

HouseMaster

Home Services
Investment: $61,100
Cash Required: $60,000

Dale Carnegie

Business Services
Investment: $19,700
Cash Required: $50,000

ERA

Real Estate
Investment: $48,000
Cash Required: $48,000 - $221,900

Just Between Friends Franchise System

Retail
Investment: $38,544
Cash Required: $43,178

Expedia Cruises

Travel & Hospitality
Investment: $169,950
Cash Required: $100,000

Brightway Insurance

Financial & Tax
Investment: $18,100
Cash Required: $25,000 - $200,000

Estrella Insurance

Financial & Tax
Investment: $49,950
Cash Required: $20,000 - $50,000

The Goddard School

Education
Investment: $698,300
Cash Required: $250,000

Captain D's

Food
Investment: $1,005,600
Cash Required: $350,000

Crunch Fitness

Fitness
Investment: $1,200,000
Cash Required: $300,000

Jason's Deli

Food
Investment: $905,891
Cash Required: $1,000,000

Mosquito Joe

Services
Investment: $102,850
Cash Required: $50,000

Minuteman Press

Business Services
Investment: $74,904
Cash Required: $50,000
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DISCLAIMER: The information contained herein has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but its accuracy and completeness are not guaranteed, and does not constitute any investment recommendation. A franchise investment requires a personal assessment of your objectives, financial situation, skills, goals, and many other factors. Before making any investment decision, you need to consider whether this information is appropriate to your situation and needs.

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