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

United Water Restoration Group

image of water restoration group Air Force veteran Nathan Sherman

Is United Water Restoration Group the Right Franchise Opportunity for First-Time Business Owners?

united-water-restoration-group-first-time-business-owners

Paris Baguette

image of Paris baguette franchise owner success

The Recipe for Success: A Step-By-Step Guide to Opening a Paris Baguette Franchise

paris-baguette-franchise-process

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Image of Onigilly restaurant franchise Reports Record 2025 Growth in Fast Casual

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen Closes 2025 With Record Sales Growth and Expanding Franchise Pipeline

onigilly-franchise-2025-growth-fast-casual

Pool Scouts

Pool Scouts Franchise - 2025 Annual Convention - Dallas TX - 1851 Franchise

Pool Scouts' 2025 Conference Sets the Stage for the Brand's Next Phase of Growth

pool-scouts-2025-conference-recap

Home Halo

image of a home halo franchisee elder care business owner franchisee

Why Home Halo Franchise Owners Don’t Just Run a Senior Home Care Business — They Lead a Local Care Company

why-home-halo-franchise-owners-become-local-care-leaders

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

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

Domino's Franchise - North Pole - Dec 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Domino’s Pizza Brings Delivery Cheer to North Pole, Alaska

dominos-pizza-franchise-north-pole-alaska

California Pizza Kitchen’s Sale Is the Latest in the Era of PE-Backed Turnarounds in Franchising

california-pizza-kitchens-sale-is-the-latest-in-the-era-of-pe-backed-turnarounds-in-franchising

Buying a fitness franchise, people exercising

Boutique vs. Big Box Gym Franchises: Which Offers Best ROI in the $7 Billion Fitness Market?

buy-fitness-franchise-boutique-big-box-comparison

Pieology Pizza Enters Chapter 11 Following Costly Bid To Save Struggling Stores

pieology-pizza-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy

CNBC: McDonald’s Will Assess if Franchisees Are Offering Value for Customers Under New Standards

mcdonalds-franchise-standards-value-metric

image of michael panos and michel panos, owners of mellow mushroom in Atlanta

What Makes Mellow Mushroom a Strong Franchise Investment? Insights From the Panos Family’s Metro Atlanta Portfolio

mellow-mushroom-franchise-panos-restaurant-group-metro-atlanta

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Eli Cohen, Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

C5 Restaurants Grows its Texas Footprint with 40 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Locations Planned Statewide

eli-cohen-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

image of stephen westerman and matthew westerman, owners Fort Walton Beach Two men and a junk truck

Twin Brothers Move From Managers to Owners with New TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK Franchise on the Gulf Coast

The Top 5 Biggest Franchisee Groups In the Industry

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS