Franchise Directory

Avast ye and prepare to board the largest quick-service seafood restaurant chain. Taking its name from a character in Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island", Long John Silver's (LJS) operates and franchises more than 1,100 nautically themed eateries offering such menu items as batter-dipped fish, chicken, shrimp, and hushpuppies. Patrons can also select from sandwiches and salads, as well as chicken items. About 30% of the restaurants are corporate-owned, while the rest are franchised; the chain also has a small number of international locations. Tracing its roots back to 1929, LJS is part of the YUM! Brands fast food empire.

Ranking high in our list for both longevity (#39) and system size (#54), Long John Silver's is part of a strong family: Parent company Yum! Brands also owns A&W;, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell. Yum recently restructured its U.S. business to create growth opportunities and cut costs. The restructuring is part of Yum's plan to refranchise company-owned stores, which is a key factor in its growth.

Long John Silver's also ranked an impressive #14 in growth, adding 346 franchise units in the U.S. between 2006 and 2008. Yum is also working to bring underleveraged stores up to standard or refranchise them. Thanks to Yum Brands' strategy of creating more balanced menu options; providing new food items to capture customers at different mealtimes; offering consistent value; and continually updating facilities, Long John Silver's is well positioned to reel in a large number of today's value- and health-conscious consumers.