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Every year, <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500/2018?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=entrepreneur-magazine-releases-2018-franchise-500-ranking-2705253" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Entrepreneur Magazine releases a ranking of the best franchising opportunities for both existing and aspiring business owners</a>. And in 2018, the publication says that the Franchise 500 is one of its most comprehensive lists ever.

2018 marks the 39th year that Entrepreneur&rsquo;s Franchise 500 has been published. What makes this year more competitive than most is the fact that for the first time in 25 years, more than 1,000 companies applied to be a part of the list. For entrepreneurs looking to buy a franchise, that means that there&rsquo;s no shortage of options out there to consider. For brands that made the list, it means that they stood out among fierce competitors to earn a spot.

To determine the ranking of the industry&rsquo;s top 500 opportunities, Entrepreneur uses a proprietary ranking formula. Factors that are taken into consideration are costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength and financial strength and stability. Data to support those five pillars started being collected in July of 2017, when the publication asked franchisors to fill out its submission form and provide their current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Those 1,023 submissions were then vetted by the publication&rsquo;s editorial team.

<a href="http://corporate.mcdonalds.com/mcd/franchising.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=entrepreneur-magazine-releases-2018-franchise-500-ranking-2705253" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">McDonald&rsquo;s</a> earned the top spot on this year&rsquo;s Franchise 500, with <a href="http://franchise.7-eleven.com/franchise/home?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=entrepreneur-magazine-releases-2018-franchise-500-ranking-2705253" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">7-Eleven, Inc.</a>, <a href="http://www.dunkinfranchising.com/franchisee/en.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=entrepreneur-magazine-releases-2018-franchise-500-ranking-2705253" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dunkin&rsquo; Donuts</a>, <a href="http://www.theupsstorefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=entrepreneur-magazine-releases-2018-franchise-500-ranking-2705253" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The UPS Store</a> and <a href="https://www.remax-franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=entrepreneur-magazine-releases-2018-franchise-500-ranking-2705253" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">RE/MAX LLC</a> rounding out the top five. <a href="https://sonicfranchises.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=entrepreneur-magazine-releases-2018-franchise-500-ranking-2705253" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sonic Drive-In Restaurants</a>, <a href="http://www.greatclipsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=entrepreneur-magazine-releases-2018-franchise-500-ranking-2705253" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Great Clips</a>, <a href="https://www.tacobellfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=entrepreneur-magazine-releases-2018-franchise-500-ranking-2705253" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Taco Bell</a>, <a href="https://www.hardees.com/company/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=entrepreneur-magazine-releases-2018-franchise-500-ranking-2705253" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hardee&rsquo;s</a> and <a href="http://www.sportclipsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=entrepreneur-magazine-releases-2018-franchise-500-ranking-2705253" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sport</a><a href="http://www.sportclipsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=entrepreneur-magazine-releases-2018-franchise-500-ranking-2705253" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Clips</a> then completed the top 10.

To read the full list and learn more about how the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list is ranked, please visit <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500/2018?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=entrepreneur-magazine-releases-2018-franchise-500-ranking-2705253" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500/2018</a>.&nbsp;

Entrepreneur Magazine Releases 2018 Franchise 500 Ranking

1851 Franchise

The 39th annual ranking highlights the franchising industry’s top business ownership opportunities based on costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength and financial strength and stability.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

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Right at Home

Corporate Leader Turned Successful Franchisee: Donn Kramer’s 10-Year Journey With Right at Home

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Griswold

Coming From Biotech Industry, Griswold Franchisee Finds New Purpose After Personal Loss

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Dillas Quesadillas

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Why Dillas Quesadillas Is the QSR+ Brand Fans Didn’t Know They Were Waiting For

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How Dillas Quesadillas is Becoming the Top Franchise Choice by Trailblazing its Own New Segment: Quesadilla-Focused QSRs

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Why Dillas Quesadillas Is Built To Scale — and Built for Operators Who Want To Do It Right

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Entrepreneur Magazine Releases 2018 Franchise 500 Ranking

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