OLYMPIA FIELDS, IL, June 20, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Recently, Entrepreneur Magazine released its annual top Franchise 500 Rankings. One of the key components for companies making the franchise 500 ranking was each franchisor's financial and statistical data from July 2011 through July 2013. The companies were compared on the same criteria regardless of size, but must consist of a minimum of ten units in operation. The criteria includes: objective, quantifiable measure of a franchise operations, financial strength and stability, growth rate, size of the system, number of years a company has been in business, length of time it has been franchising, startup costs, litigation, percentage of terminations and whether the company provides financing. The criteria then were figured to arrive at a cumulative score which gave each company their final ranking.

Amongst these top 500 franchises listed, Francorp has assisted or developed 54 of the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 Company's franchise development program through their proven systems in helping businesses achieve the next level in expansion. The 54 Francorp clients who were recognized as top franchises in the United States and their rankings are Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches (5), Servepro (7), Dunkin' Donuts (10), KFC (14), H&R Block (15), McDonalds (16), The UPS Store (22), GNC (28), Papa Murphy's (31), Ace Hardware (32), Great Clips (33), ServiceMaster Clean (35), Auntie Anne's (37), The Maids (39), Circle K (40), Edible Arrangements (43), Carl's Jr. Restaurant (46), Church's Chicken (49), Cold Stone Creamery (50), Volvoline Instant Oil Change (60), Buffalo Wild Wings (62), Jersey Mike's Subs (68), Sign-A-Rama (74), Wingstop Restaurants (77), Mac Tools (78), Batteries Plus Bulbs (79), FastSigns Int'l (87), Culver's Franchising Systems (88), Cartridge World (90), ampm (96), CertaPro Painters (103), Marco's Franchising LLC (104), Carvel (110), Schotzsky's (138), Steamatic (142), Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs (144), Primrose Schools (147), Once Upon A Child (149), Mc Alister's Deli (164), JEI Learning Centers (191), Bruegger's Bagels (203), Blimpie Subs and Salads (219), J.D. Byrider (232), Marble Slab Creamery (239), Express Oil Change (241), Synergy HomeCare (258), City Publications (280), Play It Again Sports (284), AlphaGraphics (297), Rosati's Pizza (318), Hooters Restaurant (381), Hurricane Grill and Wings (386), Dogtopia (390), Cousins Subs (483).

According to the IHS Global Insight report specified to the franchise industry, the number of expected franchises in 2014 is to increase by 1.7%, which is a rise of .3% from 2013. With the growth of franchises comes a growth of employment as well. There is an expected increase of 2.3% in 2014. The franchise establishments' output in dollars increased to 4.7%, which is a stronger growth than the previous year. Also, GDP of the franchise sector is to increase approximately 3.5% of U.S. GDP in dollars. There is a considerable amount of growth within the franchise industry. Making Entrepreneur's list of top franchises is a huge accomplishment for all companies listed.

Interested in learning more about franchising and/or how to franchise your business? Visit http://www.francorp.com to download the free e-book, Franchising Your Business, and take the franchise quiz today! For more immediate assistance call 800-FRANCHISE (800-372-6244) to speak directly with a franchise analyst to learn more about taking your business the next level and beyond.