Executive Summary
This report analyzes 829 franchise brands with successfully parsed Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs), representing 303,208 franchise locations across 17 industries.
Key Findings
- •Median franchise revenue is $676,197 per year (based on 592 brands reporting Item 19 data), with top performers exceeding $5M annually.
- •Median total investment ranges from $204,693 to $459,750, with significant variation by industry.
- •Royalty fees cluster around 6.0% median, with QSR brands often exceeding this benchmark.
- •77% of brands provide Item 19 Financial Performance Representations, giving prospective franchisees revenue data.
- •Top growth industries include Entertainment, Home Services, Pet Services.
- •The largest franchise networks include McDonald's, H&R Block, Dunkin' — each with thousands of locations nationwide.
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Market Overview
Brands with FDD
829
Total Locations
303,208
Avg Units/Brand
368
Industries Covered
17
Brands by Industry
Total Units by Industry
Revenue Analysis
Revenue is the metric franchise buyers care about most. Based on Item 19 Financial Performance Representations from 592 brands that disclose this data:
Median Revenue
$676,197
Top Performer
$13,000,000
Brands Reporting
592
Distribution of Median Annual Revenue
💰Top 20 Brands by Median Revenue
| # | Brand | Industry | Median Revenue | Investment | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PIGGLY WIGGLY | Food & Beverage | $13,000,000 | $2,041,000 - $6,664,000 | 90 |
| 2 | Vital Care | Health & Fitness | $9,313,436 | $555,750 - $1,005,735 | 110 |
| 3 | First Day Homecare | Personal Care | $8,908,974 | $138,780 - $248,080 | 2 |
| 4 | Best Choice Roofing | Home Services | $7,880,062 | $117,410 - $202,010 | 63 |
| 5 | CLOSETS BY DESIGN | Home Services | $7,205,116 | $154,000 - $511,000 | 85 |
| 6 | GOJOE PATROL | Home Services | $6,998,219 | $90,900 - $152,100 | 4 |
| 7 | Waffle Cabin | Food & Beverage | $5,447,199 | $93,450 - $225,700 | 57 |
| 8 | CITY WIDE FACILITY SOLUTIONS | Home Services | $4,798,193 | $226,784 - $393,084 | 103 |
| 9 | Window World | Home Services | $4,682,176 | $123,200 - $331,000 | 211 |
| 10 | Closet Factory | Home Services | $4,618,860 | $392,500 - $663,500 | 92 |
| 11 | Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux | Food & Beverage | $4,486,284 | $1,554,500 - $7,016,300 | 78 |
| 12 | CRUNCH | Health & Fitness | $4,209,655 | $928,000 - $3,743,000 | 450 |
| 13 | Golden Corral | Food & Beverage | $4,202,787 | $2,223,667 - $8,738,837 | 351 |
| 14 | Paul Davis Restoration | Home Services | $3,976,094 | $298,800 - $804,900 | 266 |
| 15 | Barrio Queen | Food & Beverage | $3,953,087 | $1,346,250 - $3,515,750 | 8 |
| 16 | Generator Supercenter | Home Services | $3,873,570 | $474,950 - $868,250 | 69 |
| 17 | McDonald's | Food & Beverage | $3,838,000 | $1,471,000 - $2,728,000 | 13,559 |
| 18 | Culver's | Food & Beverage | $3,693,639 | $2,642,500 - $8,573,000 | 997 |
| 19 | UFC Gym | Health & Fitness | $3,620,581 | $149,440 - $486,090 | 69 |
| 20 | Chick-fil-A | Food & Beverage | $3,386,837 | $426,735 - $2,339,525 | 2,684 |
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Best Revenue Potential
Which franchises generate the most revenue relative to their startup cost? This "Revenue-to-Investment Ratio" helps identify brands where your initial investment could generate outsized top-line revenue.
A ratio of 2.0x means the franchise generates $2 in annual revenue for every $1 of initial investment. Higher ratios suggest stronger revenue potential relative to capital deployed.
Critical: These Are Gross Revenue Figures
Revenue is NOT profit. The figures shown are top-line gross revenue — the total sales before subtracting any costs. This does not account for:
- Cost of goods sold (COGS) — food, inventory, supplies
- Labor costs — wages, benefits, payroll taxes
- Rent & occupancy — lease, utilities, property costs
- Royalty & marketing fees — ongoing payments to franchisor
- Operating expenses — insurance, maintenance, admin
Net profit margins in franchising typically range from 5-15%. A franchise with $1M in revenue may only yield $50K-$150K in owner profit after all expenses. Always review complete Item 19 data and speak with existing franchisees about actual profitability before making investment decisions.
Top 20 Brands by Revenue-to-Investment Ratio
Investment Analysis
Initial investment requirements vary significantly across the franchise industry. The median investment range is $204,693 – $459,750, but some industries (like QSR and hospitality) typically require substantially higher capital.
Distribution of Initial Investment (Midpoint)
Median Low Estimate
$204,693
Median High Estimate
$459,750
Median Franchise Fee
$40,500
Distribution of Initial Franchise Fee
Fee Structures
Ongoing fees are a critical factor in franchise profitability. The median royalty fee is 6.0% of gross sales, while marketing/advertising fees average around 3.5%.
Royalty Fee Distribution (%)
Marketing Fee Distribution (%)
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Industry Breakdown
The franchise landscape spans 17 distinct industries, each with unique investment profiles, fee structures, and growth trajectories. Click any industry to explore all brands in that category.
Industry Overview
| Industry | Brands | Total Units | Median Investment | Median Revenue | Avg YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food & Beverage | 206 | 119,126 | $697,800 | $1,122,966 | +8.9% |
| Home Services | 158 | 41,204 | $164,788 | $556,955 | +63.4% |
| Health & Fitness | 116 | 33,054 | $372,971 | $539,716 | +42.9% |
| Education & Training | 79 | 11,558 | $141,387 | $413,677 | +24.7% |
| Personal Care | 46 | 15,778 | $504,084 | $544,679 | +13.7% |
| Travel & Hospitality | 43 | 19,812 | $14,727,800 | $812,556 | +22.0% |
| Real Estate & Property Management | 32 | 7,646 | $141,393 | $297,855 | +5.1% |
| Specialty Retail | 28 | 4,555 | $361,950 | $855,551 | +14.7% |
| Pet Services | 27 | 2,719 | $387,625 | $546,335 | +46.3% |
| Environmental Services | 25 | 4,133 | $178,600 | $463,605 | +22.2% |
| Automotive Services | 24 | 13,365 | $390,462 | $913,607 | +35.2% |
| Marketing & Advertising | 24 | 10,413 | $171,438 | $776,958 | +3.7% |
| Technology Services | 8 | 1,593 | $152,475 | $967,208 | +26.8% |
| Financial Services | 7 | 16,716 | $119,850 | $187,224 | +5.2% |
| Insurance Services | 3 | 1,447 | $87,250 | $113,420 | +1.1% |
Top Industries & Leading Brands
206 brands • 119,126 total units
Median Investment
$697,800
Median Royalty
5.3%
Avg YoY Growth
+8.9%
158 brands • 41,204 total units
Median Investment
$164,788
Median Royalty
6.0%
Avg YoY Growth
+63.4%
116 brands • 33,054 total units
Median Investment
$372,971
Median Royalty
6.5%
Avg YoY Growth
+42.9%
79 brands • 11,558 total units
Median Investment
$141,387
Median Royalty
7.0%
Avg YoY Growth
+24.7%
46 brands • 15,778 total units
Median Investment
$504,084
Median Royalty
6.0%
Avg YoY Growth
+13.7%
43 brands • 19,812 total units
Median Investment
$14,727,800
Median Royalty
5.5%
Avg YoY Growth
+22.0%
Growth Analysis
Year-over-year unit growth is calculated from Item 20 outlet data in each FDD. While most brands show modest growth, a subset are expanding rapidly.
YoY Unit Growth Distribution
Top 10 Fastest Growing Brands (YoY %)
Top 20 Fastest Growing Brands (YoY)
| # | Brand | Industry | YoY Growth | Units Added | Current Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pink's Window Services | Home Services | +2250.0% | +45 | 47 |
| 2 | VODA CLEANING & RESTORATION | Home Services | +1866.7% | +56 | 59 |
| 3 | Gameday Men's Health | Health & Fitness | +1278.9% | +243 | 262 |
| 4 | 1-800 Striper | Home Services | +1200.0% | +120 | 130 |
| 5 | Stand Strong Fences | Home Services | +1160.0% | +116 | 126 |
| 6 | Ace Pickleball Club | Health & Fitness | +1000.0% | +10 | 11 |
| 7 | Rolling Suds | Automotive Services | +737.5% | +59 | 67 |
| 8 | Super Soccer Stars | Education & Training | +493.8% | +79 | 95 |
| 9 | DIMENSIONAL SEARCH | Education & Training | +485.7% | +34 | 41 |
| 10 | Zoomin Groomin | Pet Services | +366.7% | +55 | 70 |
| 11 | 7 BREW | Food & Beverage | +350.0% | +140 | 180 |
| 12 | Top Rail Fence | Home Services | +342.9% | +72 | 93 |
| 13 | FunBox | Health & Fitness | +328.6% | +23 | 30 |
| 14 | ACE Hardware Painting Services | Home Services | +266.7% | +8 | 11 |
| 15 | Kidokinetics | Education & Training | +219.0% | +92 | 134 |
| 16 | Two Men and a Junk Truck | Environmental Services | +210.0% | +42 | 62 |
| 17 | Body20 | Health & Fitness | +206.7% | +31 | 46 |
| 18 | Heroes Lawn Care | Home Services | +185.7% | +13 | 20 |
| 19 | Back Nine | Entertainment | +180.0% | +18 | 28 |
| 20 | PayMore | Specialty Retail | +176.2% | +37 | 58 |
Top 20 Largest Franchise Networks
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Closures & Contractions
Not all franchises grow. Some brands are actively closing locations — which can signal market challenges, strategic restructuring, or declining demand. Understanding which brands are contracting is as important as knowing which are expanding.
The table below shows brands with the most net unit closures year-over-year, based on Item 20 outlet data. Only brands with at least 20 units in the prior year are included.
Brands with Most Location Closures (YoY)
Context Matters
Net closures don't always indicate franchise failure. Brands may be strategically consolidating, exiting underperforming markets, or transitioning business models. Always review the full FDD and speak with existing franchisees before drawing conclusions.
Disclosure Signals
The FDD contains critical disclosure items that prospective franchisees should review carefully. Here's how brands in our dataset compare on key disclosure signals.
Item 19 (FPR) Available
Litigation Disclosed (Item 3)
Bankruptcy Disclosed (Item 4)
Important Note
Disclosure of litigation or bankruptcy is not necessarily a red flag — it indicates transparency and may relate to resolved matters. Always review Item 3 and Item 4 in full and consult with a franchise attorney before investing.
Methodology
Data Sources
All data in this report is derived from Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) filed with state regulators. We parse and extract structured data from each FDD, including:
- Item 5: Initial Fees (franchise fee)
- Item 6: Other Fees (royalty, marketing fees)
- Item 7: Initial Investment ranges
- Item 19: Financial Performance Representations (when provided)
- Item 20: Outlets and Franchisee Information (unit counts by year)
- Item 3: Litigation history
- Item 4: Bankruptcy disclosures
Filters Applied
This report includes only brands with successfully parsed FDDs. Brands without a current FDD on file or with parsing errors are excluded from all calculations.
Calculations
- Median investment: Calculated using the midpoint of each brand's low-high investment range where both values are available.
- YoY growth: Computed from Item 20 outlet counts, comparing the two most recent years of data available for each brand.
- Industry averages: Simple arithmetic means of brands within each industry category.
Limitations
This report reflects publicly available FDD data and may not capture recent developments post-FDD filing. FDD data is typically 6-18 months old at time of publication. This report does not constitute investment advice.
Report generated: February 19, 2026
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