AllBusiness AllStar Franchises

Biggby Coffee ranked fairly well in both financial health and growth (both #113), earning it a spot on our AllStar list for the first time. The company has been franchising for 10 years and has expanded steadily. Although Biggby didn’t rank high among all franchises...

Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services added units this year, and its growth ranking improved from #177 to #147. However, its financial health ranking decreased from #176 to #226, and its Web visibility went down as well. Overall, the changes pushed the children’s tutoring franchise slightly...

Houlihan’s moved up on our AllStar list this year thanks to an increase in its financial health ranking (from #135 last year to #69). The company’s Web visibility ranking also went up. Although its number of units declined very slightly, its growth ranking was unchanged...

In 2009, Robeks lost some franchise units and its growth ranking declined from #65 to #127. However, its financial health ranking increased from #271 to #160. The combination of factors essentially held Robeks steady on our AllStar list. Well known in Southern California, Robeks is...

New to our AllStar rankings, Cinnabon ranks high in brand awareness (#98). Well known worldwide for its cinnamon rolls, the company has been in business nearly 25 years, and has locations in 41 states and more than 30 countries. Most Cinnabon bakeries are in high-traffic...

This is Coldwell Banker Real Estate’s first year on our AllStar list, but the company is no newcomer. Coldwell Banker is the nation’s oldest real estate brand, and franchisees benefit from the well-known company’s outstanding Web visibility (#8), longevity (#25), and brand awareness. As is...

Health and wellness businesses have done fairly well in the recession as Americans focus on eliminating stress and staying fit. One-on-one personal training fitness franchisor Fitness Together is benefiting from the trend. The company has fairly good brand awareness (#123); however, its growth rank declined...

Mathnasium’s explosive growth continued this year, as its growth ranking went from an already strong #87 to #54 in this year’s ranking, and its financial health improved as well, from #289 to #229. Tutoring services has proven to be a recession-resistant industry. Mathnasium also has...

Glass Doctor fell a bit on our AllStar list, mostly because its financial health ranking declined slightly. However, the company’s growth ranking rose, and it added units this year — including, for the first time, international locations. Franchisees benefit from being part of parent company...

For the most part, Howard Johnson’s sub-index rankings essentially remained stable this year; however, there were a few exceptions. The company’s growth slowed a bit, which is to be expected for a high-investment franchise opportunity in a recession. Howard Johnson gained in Web visibility, which...

FAST-FIX Jewelry and Watch Repairs dropped slightly in all of its ranking categories, pushing the company down a bit on our AllStar list. However, the company’s financial health, in particular, continues to be very strong (#45 this year, #30 last year). It also has fairly...

Carvel is new to our AllStar list, but it’s an old and well-known brand. Franchising for more than 60 years, the ice cream retailer has high longevity (#4) and brand awareness (#96). Carvel products are also sold in grocery stores, further enhancing brand awareness. Carvel’s...

Complete Music's growth ranking improved this year, from #233 to #191. Its financial health ranking also rose substantially, from #226 to #132. Franchising for nearly 30 years, Complete Music has longevity behind it (ranking #91 in this category) and boasts a unique niche. Even in...

Over the last several years, Pro Image has essentially held its ground or grown a bit in the number of franchised units in the system. For a retail store in a tight economy, that’s quite an achievement. This year, Pro Image’s rankings across all categories...

Buildingstars essentially maintained its position on our AllStar list this year. The company’s financial health improved a bit, from #174 to #144. Buildingstar’s niche, commercial cleaning, is relatively recession-resistant, as offices always need to be maintained despite the state of the economy. To diversify its...

Church’s moved lower on our AllStar list this year because its financial health ranking dropped from #26 last year to #172. Its growth ranking declined as well. Franchisees continue to benefit from the system’s longevity (#27), system size, and brand awareness. In response to the...

Sanford Rose Associates celebrated its 50th in business in 2009, and has been franchising since the 1970s, giving it a longevity ranking of #35. The company’s financial health ranking fell to #50 (from #10), but that’s still a strong showing. Like other search firms, Sanford...

Century 21 Real Estate makes its debut on our AllStar list with a splash, ranking #1 in brand awareness, #6 in Web visibility and #99 in longevity. It is part of Realogy, parent company of Coldwell Banker, ERA, Sotheby’s, and Better Homes and Gardens Real...

Franchising since 1980, Spring-Green Lawn Care ranked #88 in longevity and #48 in financial health in its first year on our AllStar list. Lawn care is a fairly recession-resistant industry, and the company has maintained its number of units for the past several years. Spring-Green...

GolfTEC moved down somewhat on our AllStar list, primarily due to two years of poor financial health rankings (#245, a slight improvement from its former financial health ranking of #263). Its growth ranking declined from #40 to #67. That is still a strong showing, however,...

While Sir Speedy has lost some units, the company’s financial health ranking rose this year, pushing it slightly higher on our AllStar list. In addition, the company’s longevity and brand awareness continue to add value for franchisees. Sir Speedy is backed by a strong parent...

This back-care specialty store franchise essentially held steady on our AllStar list this year. The company’s Web visibility ranking is fairly good (#108); as is its financial health ranking (#110). Franchising for 20 years, Relax the Back ranked a respectable #161 in longevity. Back care...

Martinizing Dry Cleaning’s growth ranking stayed pretty steady in our AllStar ranking (from #286 to #289), and the company’s financial health rose to an impressive #29. With more than 60 years in business, Martinizing Dry Cleaning has outstanding longevity as one of the oldest and...

Businesses’ continuing need for IT services helped propel CMIT Solutions onto our AllStar list for the first time this year. The company, which provides IT support for small and midsized businesses, increased its units this year and ranked a respectable #136 in growth, #178 in...

New to our AllStar list, Pizza Inn ranked very high in longevity (#24). The company has been in business for over 50 years and franchising for nearly 40, and franchisees benefit from its brand recognition. In January 2009 Pizza Inn was named Pizza Chain of...