1851

Plenty of new franchisees enter the industry on their own. With an initial investment and some ambitious dreams, the franchise model makes huge things possible. However, it is not uncommon for multi-unit franchisees to form larger groups through which they invest in new franchise concepts.&nbsp;Each year, Franchising.com teams up with FRANdata to evaluate the country’s<a href="https://www.franchising.com/articles/2022_mega_99_rankings.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-top-5-biggest-franchisee-groups-in-the-industry-2721659" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> top multi-unit franchisee organizations</a>. These five dominated the top of the list in 2022.<a href="https://www.flynnrestaurantgroup.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-top-5-biggest-franchisee-groups-in-the-industry-2721659" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Flynn Restaurant Group</a>In 1999, eight Applebee’s franchisees came together to create Flynn Restaurant Group. Now, it claims it is the largest franchisee in the U.S. with 2,357 units across the country. The group makes $4 billion annually thanks to its 73,000 employees and continued investment in Applebee’s, Taco Bell, Panera Bread, Wendy’s, Pizza Hut and Arby’s.As it continues to grow, Flynn Restaurant Group emphasizes the importance of a can-do attitude at the unit level, top-notch customer experience and local expertise when making restaurant decisions.<a href="http://www.sunholdings.net/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-top-5-biggest-franchisee-groups-in-the-industry-2721659" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sun Holdings</a>Sun Holdings goes back to 1997 when Guillermo Perales started his business journey with Golden Corral. Now, it is the second largest group in the U.S. with over 1,740 locations. Currently, Sun Holdings operates 141 Burger Kings, 169 Popeyes, 212 Arby’s, 36 IHOPs, six Golden Corrals, 67 McAlister’s, 167 Papa John’s, 131 Applebee’s, 55 GNCs, over 500 T-Mobiles and 143 Taco Buenos. The franchise group reportedly brings in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.zippia.com/sun-holdings-careers-39959/revenue/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-top-5-biggest-franchisee-groups-in-the-industry-2721659" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">$800 million</a> in revenue annually.The group has already acquired over 20 parcels of land for future developments.<a href="https://carrols.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-top-5-biggest-franchisee-groups-in-the-industry-2721659" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Carrols Group</a>Carrols Group currently operates in 23 states and employs over 27,000 people. Since its 1960 foundation, the group has grown to encompass over 1,000 restaurants—1,091, according to Franchising.com—across the Burger King and Popeyes networks.The concept embraces a notion that “Promotion is a natural progression, not a chance happening.” With this in mind, everyone throughout the Carrols Group network is encouraged to do their absolute best, which ultimately translates to a positive in-restaurant experience.<a href="https://kbp-foods.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-top-5-biggest-franchisee-groups-in-the-industry-2721659" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">FQSR</a>FQSR, or KBP Foods, began formation in 1999 with intentions to “create a great place to work, a great place to eat and a great place to own.” In ‘99, the group acquired its first five restaurants in Colorado.Now, it includes 1,000 units of KFC, Taco Bell, A&amp;W and Long John Silver’s, and is one of three concepts under the KBP Brands umbrella. KBP Brands also includes KBP Inspired and KBP Bells.<a href="https://dhananigroupinc.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-top-5-biggest-franchisee-groups-in-the-industry-2721659" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dhanani Group</a>Dhanani Group is a franchise group working to “create a QSR franchise dynasty.” The group is led by Shoukat Dhanani, who also serves as president of Burger King operations. The group first started in 1976, working in the gas and convenience store space. In 1994, it began franchising with Burger King, bringing the first co-branded restaurant to Houston, Texas.&nbsp; Now, it has 824 units between Burger King, Popeyes and La Madeleine restaurants. It secures about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.buzzfile.com/business/Dhanani-Group-of-Companies-Inc-281-201-2700?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-top-5-biggest-franchisee-groups-in-the-industry-2721659" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">$180 million</a> in annual sales.

The Top 5 Biggest Franchisee Groups In the Industry

1851 Franchise

The five largest franchisee organizations own a combined 5,000-plus units of a range of franchise concepts.

the-top-5-biggest-franchisee-groups-in-the-industry

Sola Salons

Photo of Sola Salons lobby area with retail display in window

Inside the 2025 Sola Salons Franchise Disclosure Document: What Aspiring Owners Need to Know

sola-salons-2025-fdd-breakdown

Right at Home

How Right at Home Is Building Its Corporate Staff of Innovation To Drive the Future of Senior Care

how-right-at-home-is-building-its-corporate-staff-of-innovation-to-drive-the-future-of-senior-care

Woodhouse Spas

Woodhouse Spas Expands Its Luxury Wellness Brand with Franchisee Signing in New Jersey

woodhouse-spas-expands-its-luxury-wellness-brand-with-franchisee-signing-in-new-jersey

Sola Salons Announces New Franchise Agreement in Ohio

Sola Salons Announces New Franchise Agreement in Ohio: Kristin and Greg Kranias to Expand Revolutionary Salon Concept to Rocky River

sola-salons-announces-new-franchise-agreement-in-ohio-kristin-and-greg-kranias-to-expand-revolutionary-salon-concept-to-rocky-river

Discover the Keys to Franchise Success With Woodhouse Spas COO, Ariel Clay

discover-the-keys-to-franchise-success-with-woodhouse-spas-coo-ariel-clay

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

Hardee’s Lawsuit Highlights the Risk of Going Off-Model in Franchising

hardees-franchise-lawsuit-paradigm-investment-group

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Dave’s Hot Chicken Sold to Roark Capital in $1 Billion Deal to Fuel Global Expansion

daves-hot-chicken-sold-to-roark-capital-in-1-billion-deal-to-fuel-global-expansion

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises

homebuyers-keep-buying-and-thats-good-news-for-home-service-franchises

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

From Personal Care to Purpose-Driven Business: Why This Couple Is Bringing Griswold to Houston

from-personal-care-to-purpose-driven-business-why-this-couple-is-bringing-griswold-to-houston

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Raj Pingili and Paris Baguette logo

How a Family Vacation Inspired Raj Pingili to Bring Paris Baguette to Towson, Maryland

how-a-family-vacation-inspired-raj-pingili-to-bring-paris-baguette-to-towson-maryland

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Sean Phelan & Caring Transitions logo

From Tech to Transitions: Why This Caring Transitions Franchisee Left the Corporate World To Help Families Navigate Life’s Hardest Moves

sean-phelan-caring-transitions-franchise-austin

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

The Top 20 Cleaning Franchises to Invest in for 2025

top-cleaning-franchises-to-invest-in

The Top 20 Handyman Franchises To Invest in for 2025

The Top 5 Biggest Franchisee Groups In the Industry

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS