Impact of the Pandemic on the Mega 99 Rankings

By: Ritwik Donde | 12,327 Reads | 25 Shares

Featured in: Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine: Issue 1, 2021

Frandata has been running the Mega 99 list for Franchise Update for more than 10 years. Needless to say, we’ve seen many nationwide and worldwide events, most of which are being eclipsed by the current pandemic in terms of the significant rise in franchise activity. The following four factors are among those that have affected this year’s Mega 99 Rankings.

Bankruptcies and financial protection filings. These filings were initiated by large QSR franchise organizations like SD Holdings and NPC International. While this has resulted in a change in ownership patterns, it is important to note that many franchised businesses/locations continue to operate, but under different ownership.

Leadership consolidation. The pandemic also has allowed several large franchisee organizations to consolidate their leadership through acquisitions and resales. Franchisees in certain sectors such as QSR have been quick to take advantage of lower valuations to grow their existing portfolios. For example, Tasty Restaurant Group, a wholly owned affiliate of private equity firm Triton Pacific, acquired 37 Pizza Hut locations, while Sun Holdings, one of the largest franchisee organizations in the U.S., acquired 41 IHOP locations from bankrupt CFRA Holdings for its ever-expanding portfolio.

Franchisee diversification. Another growing trend affecting this year’s Mega 99 Rankings is related to franchisees’ diversification strategies, which took advantage of franchisors’ fee incentives and discounts during the pandemic. For example, several franchisees in the fitness and gym sector diversified into other beauty-related options that showed greater business resistance to pandemic-related closures and shelter-at-home orders.

Increased PE activity. The pandemic also saw emerging brands attracting private equity firms and getting them to sign large multi-unit deals in 2020. For example, Chunara Group of Companies, a private equity group based in Atlanta (which already owned franchises including Dunkin’, Checkers, Church’s Chicken, and Popeyes), signed a 9-unit development deal with My Eyelab. PE and asset management firms also signed large deals with Everbowl (20 units) and Coolgreens (50 units). Interestingly, PE and investment firms signed large deals with established brands that were quick to adapt their business model to the changes pushed forth by the pandemic. These include the 49-unit deal signed by Papa John’s with HB Restaurant Group, and the 50-unit development deal signed by Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers with R Solution Holdings.

RANK	COMPANY	UNITS	BRANDS
1	FLYNN RESTAURANT GROUP	1,239	APPLEBEE’S, ARBY’S, PANERA BREAD, TACO BELL
2	CARROLS GROUP	1,085	BURGER KING, POPEYES LOUISIANA KITCHEN
3	SUN HOLDINGS	1,045	BURGER KING, POPEYES LOUISIANA KITCHEN, ARBY’S, GNC, CICIS, GOLDEN CORRAL, KRISPY KREME, T-MOBILE, TACO BUENO, AIRPORT RESTAURANTS, IHOP
4	TARGET	900	PIZZA HUT
5	KBP FOODS	895	KFC, TACO BELL
6	DHANANI GROUP	824	BURGER KING, POPEYES LOUISIANA KITCHEN, LA MADELEINE FRENCH BAKERY & CAFÉ
7	PILOT TRAVEL CENTERS	790	SUBWAY, CINNABON, DUNKIN’, WENDY’S, ARBY’S, TACO BELL, DQ TREAT, PIZZA HUT, MOE’S SOUTHWEST GRILL, KFC, HOT STUFF PIZZA, IHOP, CARVEL, AUNTIE ANNE’S, BURGER KING, DENNY’S, CHESTER’S, MCDONALD’S
8	MUY BRANDS	768	PIZZA HUT, WENDY’S, TACO BELL
9	ARAMARK	637	CHICK-FIL-A, EINSTEIN BROS. BAGELS, SUBWAY, PANDA EXPRESS, OATH PIZZA, WHICH WICH, PAPA JOHN’S, MOE’S SOUTHWEST GRILL, PIZZA HUT, DUNKIN’, STEAK ’N SHAKE, FRESHII, JAMBA, QDOBA MEXICAN EATS, TACO BELL, RAISING CANE’S, CHILI’S, TIM HORTONS, MOOYAH, QUAKER STEAK & LUBE, ERBERT & GERBERT’S SANDWICH SHOP, QUIZNOS, WENDY’S, MCALISTER’S DELI, PJ’S COFFEE OF NEW ORLEANS, CARIBOU COFFEE, KFC, BURGERFI, COSI, DUNN BROTHERS COFFEE, PANERA BREAD, VILLAGE JUICE CO., BEEF ’O’ BRADY’S, PINKBERRY, WAHOO’S FISH TACO, NATHAN’S FAMOUS, FIREHOUSE SUBS, EXTREME PITA, IHOP, LA MADELEINE FRENCH BAKERY & CAFÉ, DENNY’S
10	LOVE’S TRAVEL STOPS & COUNTRY STORES	534	SUBWAY, GODFATHER’S PIZZA, CHESTER’S, HARDEE’S, TACO JOHN’S, IHOP, DUNKIN’, ARBY’S, DQ TREAT
10	ARMY & AIR FORCE EXCHANGE SERVICES	534	SUBWAY, BURGER KING, CHARLEYS PHILLY STEAKS, POPEYES LOUISIANA KITCHEN, TACO BELL, ARBY’S, EINSTEIN BROS. BAGELS, QDOBA MEXICAN EATS, MANCHU WOK, DUNKIN’, WING ZONE, BASKIN-ROBBINS, BLIMPIE, PIZZA HUT, TACO JOHN’S, SLIM CHICKENS
12	TEAM CAR CARE (HEARTLAND AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE)	517	JIFFY LUBE
13	GPS HOSPITALITY	480	BURGER KING, POPEYES LOUISIANA KITCHEN, PIZZA HUT
14	SPEEDWAY	477	DUNKIN’, SUBWAY, WENDY’S
15	SUMMIT RESTAURANT GROUP	390	IHOP, APPLEBEE’S
16	AMPEX BRANDS	382	KFC, PIZZA HUT, LONG JOHN SILVER’S, TACO BELL, A&W
17	HARMAN MANAGEMENT	374	KFC, A&W, LONG JOHN SILVER’S
18	SIZZLING PLATTER	368	LITTLE CAESARS, WING STOP, DUNKIN’, SIZZLER, RED ROBIN
18	JIB MANAGEMENT (YADAV ENTERPRISES)	368	JACK IN THE BOX, DENNY’S, TGI FRIDAYS, EL POLLO LOCO, CORNER BAKERY CAFE, SIZZLER
20	ROTTINGHAUS	367	SUBWAY
21	BODDIE-NOELL ENTERPRISES	342	HARDEE’S
22	MERITAGE HOSPITALITY GROUP	340	WENDY’S
22	CHARTER FOODS	340	TACO BELL, LONG JOHN SILVER’S, KFC, A&W, PIZZA HUT
24	COMPASS GROUP USA	323	EINSTEIN BROS. BAGELS, SUBWAY, BLIMPIE, DUNKIN’, PAPA JOHN’S, PANDA EXPRESS, PIZZA HUT, MOE’S SOUTHWEST GRILL, JAMBA, SALSARITA’S FRESH MEXICAN GRILL, STEAK ’N SHAKE, TACO BELL, SMASHBURGER, WENDY’S, PJ’S COFFEE OF NEW ORLEANS, CARIBOU COFFEE, TIM HORTONS, CHILI’S, QUIZNOS, WHICH WICH, FIREHOUSE SUBS, FREDDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD & STEAKBURGERS, MARCO’S PIZZA, SBARRO, FRESHII, ERBERT & GERBERT’S SANDWICH SHOP, BASKIN-ROBBINS, ILLY, JOHNNY ROCKETS, PLANET SMOOTHIE, POPEYES LOUISIANA KITCHEN, BEN & JERRY’S, PITA PIT, QDOBA MEXICAN EATS, BURGER KING, KFC, IHOP, SLIM CHICKENS, JASON’S DELI, NATHAN’S FAMOUS, CALIFORNIA TORTILLA, DENNY’S, BOJANGLES’
24	SODEXO	323	CHICK-FIL-A, EINSTEIN BROS. BAGELS, SUBWAY, PIZZA HUT, DUNKIN’, JAMBA, MOE’S SOUTHWEST GRILL, TACO BELL, QDOBA MEXICAN EATS, STEAK ’N SHAKE, PAPA JOHN’S, ERBERT & GERBERT’S SANDWICH SHOP, GARBANZO MEDITERRANEAN FRESH, BAJA FRESH, THE HABIT BURGER GRILL, BURGER KING, HOT STUFF PIZZA, MCALISTER’S DELI, CARIBOU COFFEE, BASKIN-ROBBINS, GODFATHER’S PIZZA, COSÌ, QUIZNOS, SBARRO, PANERA BREAD, BLAZE PIZZA, DQ TREAT, TIM HORTONS, MOOYAH, DENNY’S
26	WKS RESTAURANT GROUP	322	EL POLLO LOCO, WENDY’S, KRISPY KREME, DENNY’S, BLAZE PIZZA
27	TACALA/BOOM FOODS	319	TACO BELL, KFC
28	THE COVELLI FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP	316	PANERA BREAD, DQ GRILL & CHILL, DQ TREAT, O’CHARLEY’S
29	PACIFIC BELLS	307	TACO BELL, KFC, BUFFALO WILD WINGS
30	K-MAC ENTERPRISES	306	TACO BELL, KFC, GOLDEN CORRAL
31	DESERT DE ORO FOODS	297	TACO BELL, PIZZA HUT
32	G&M OIL CO.	296	CHEVRON, EXTRAMILE, TEXACO
33	SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PIZZA	292	PIZZA HUT
33	AMERICAN WEST RESTAURANT GROUP	292	PIZZA HUT
35	MASON-HARRISON-RATLIFF ENTERPRISES	277	SONIC DRIVE-IN
36	HAZA FOODS	276	WENDY’S, TACO BELL
37	MANNA	267	WENDY’S, GOLDEN CORRAL, FAZOLI’S
38	TA OPERATING	265	POPEYES LOUISIANA KITCHEN, TACO BELL, SUBWAY, BURGER KING, PIZZA HUT, DUNKIN’, ARBY’S, FUDDRUCKERS, CHARLEYS PHILLY STEAKS, FAZOLI’S, A&W, WENDY’S, BLACK BEAR DINER, KFC, CARL’S JR., TACOTIME, HOT STUFF PIZZA, IHOP, BASKIN-ROBBINS, SUPER 8 BY WYNDHAM, NOBLE ROMAN’S
39	WENDPARTNERS FRANCHISE GROUP	257	WENDY’S
40	CIRCLE K STORES	253	SUBWAY, BLIMPIE, HOT STUFF PIZZA, CHURCH’S CHICKEN, HARDEE’S, DQ TREAT, DQ GRILL & CHILL, NOBLE ROMAN’S, HUDDLE HOUSE, CHEVRON, TEXACO
41	MITRA QSR	248	KFC, TACO BELL
42	HART RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT	244	WENDY’S
43	FUGATE ENTERPRISES	243	PIZZA HUT, TACO BELL
44	JAE RESTAURANT GROUP	239	WENDY’S
45	HMSHOST	237	BURGER KING, SBARRO, POPEYES LOUISIANA KITCHEN, QUIZNOS, CHILI’S, ROY ROGERS, CHICK-FIL-A, NATHAN’S FAMOUS, SMASHBURGER, GREAT STEAK, PANDA EXPRESS, KFC, MANCHU WOK, FIREHOUSE SUBS, LA MADELEINE FRENCH BAKERY & CAFÉ, JOHNNY ROCKETS, STEAK ’N SHAKE, PINKBERRY, CARL’S JR., BURGERFI, BLAZE PIZZA, BURGER 21, YEUNG’S LOTUS EXPRESS, KELLY’S CAJUN GRILL, BLIMPIE, THE COUNTER, COLD STONE CREAMERY, PACIUGO GELATO & CAFFÉ, UNA MAS MEXICAN GRILL, A&W, BAJA FRESH, COUSINS SUBS, WING STOP
46	APPLE HOSPITALITY REIT	235	HILTON GARDEN INN, COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT, HAMPTON INN BY HILTON, HOMEWOOD SUITES BY HILTON, RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT, SPRINGHILL SUITES BY MARRIOTT, FAIRFIELD BY MARRIOTT, TOWNEPLACE SUITES BY MARRIOTT, HOME2 SUITES BY HILTON, EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON, MARRIOTT HOTELS
47	ADF COMPANIES	233	PIZZA HUT, PANERA BREAD
48	PALO ALTO/ALVARADO CONCEPTS	232	TACO BELL, KFC
49	D.L. ROGERS	231	SONIC DRIVE-IN
50	DIVERSIFIED RESTAURANT GROUP	230	TACO BELL, ARBY’S
51	QUALITY DINING	228	BURGER KING, CHILI’S
52	FOURTEEN FOODS	227	DQ GRILL & CHILL, DQ TREAT
53	MARLU INVESTMENT GROUP	224	ARBY’S, LITTLE CAESARS, CHURCH’S CHICKEN, JACK IN THE BOX
54	PREMIER KINGS	220	BURGER KING, POPEYES LOUISIANA KITCHEN
55	QUALITY HUTS MIDWEST	219	PIZZA HUT, ARBY’S
56	TASTY RESTAURANT GROUP (TASTY HUTS)	216	PIZZA HUT, BURGER KING
57	BORDER FOODS	204	TACO BELL, CHURCH’S CHICKEN
57	EYM GROUP	204	PIZZA HUT, BURGER KING
59	HENLEY ENTERPRISES	200	VALVOLINE INSTANT OIL CHANGE
60	COTTI FOODS	196	WENDY’S, TACO BELL, PIEOLOGY PIZZERIA
61	WENDY’S OF COLORADO SPRINGS	189	WENDY’S, GOLDEN CORRAL
62	FEAST ENTERPRISES (DMSD FOODS/BESHAY FOODS)	185	JACK IN THE BOX, DENNY’S, CORNER BAKERY CAFE
63	FRESH ALTERNATIVES	181	SUBWAY
64	RPM PIZZA	176	DOMINO’S PIZZA
65	MARWAHA GROUP	175	SUBWAY
65	TEAM LYDERS (SUNDANCE & OLD WEST PROPERTIES)	175	TACO BELL, KFC, PIZZA HUT, ARBY’S
67	HAMRA ENTERPRISES	170	WENDY’S, PANERA BREAD, NOODLES & COMPANY, HOLIDAY INN
68	CAVE ENTERPRISES OPERATIONS	169	BURGER KING
69	BRIAD RESTAURANT GROUP	168	WENDY’S, TGI FRIDAYS
70	NORTHWEST RESTAURANTS	165	TACO BELL, KFC, A&W, PIZZA HUT
71	PJ UNITED	162	PAPA JOHN’S
72	JRN	160	KFC, PIZZA HUT
73	PACPIZZA	155	PIZZA HUT
74	B & G FOOD ENTERPRISES	154	TACO BELL, KFC
75	BURGERBUSTERS	153	TACO BELL, PIZZA HUT, KFC, LONG JOHN SILVER’S
75	CARLISLE CORP	153	WENDY’S
77	VKC GROUP	150	SUBWAY, GREAT AMERICAN COOKIES, PRETZELMAKER, TCBY, TWISTERS BURGERS & BURRITOS
78	CELEBRATION RESTAURANT GROUP/CFL PIZZA/BRAVO FOODS	149	PIZZA HUT, TACO BELL, KFC
79	GRAND MERE CAPITAL	148	PIZZA HUT
79	GHAI MANAGEMENT SERVICES	148	BURGER KING, TACO BELL
81	METRO FRANCHISING COMMISSARY	145	DUNKIN’, BASKIN-ROBBINS, NATHAN’S FAMOUS
81	STARCORP	145	HARDEE’S, CARL’S JR.
83	CALIFORNIA FOOD MANAGEMENT	142	BURGER KING
83	WING FINANCIAL SERVICES	142	JACKSON HEWITT TAX SERVICE
83	BOBBY MERRITT	142	SONIC DRIVE-IN
83	HALLRICH	142	PIZZA HUT
87	WESTLAKE ACE HARDWARE (JOSEPH JEFFRIES)	140	ACE HARDWARE
88	DOHERTY ENTERPRISES	139	APPLEBEE’S, PANERA BREAD
88	INTERFOODS OF AMERICA (SAILORMEN)	139	POPEYES LOUISIANA KITCHEN, BURGER KING
90	TOMS KING	136	BURGER KING
90	BAJCO	136	PAPA JOHN’S, DAIRY QUEEN
92	SUMMIT RESTAURANT GROUP	135	PIZZA HUT, LONG JOHN SILVER’S
92	RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT CO.	135	PIZZA HUT, KFC
94	MANNA DEVELOPMENT GROUP	134	PANERA BREAD
94	MERIDIAN RESTAURANTS	134	BURGER KING, CHILI’S
96	REDBERRY RESTAURANTS	133	BURGER KING, PIZZA HUT
97	RMH FRANCHISE	132	APPLEBEE’S
98	AMERICAN PIZZA PARTNERS	131	PIZZA HUT
99	A3H FOODS	123	JACK IN THE BOX

Ritwik Donde is a senior research consultant at Frandata, an independent research and advisory company providing insight and analysis for the franchising sector since 1989.

About: The Mega 99 Rankings are a list of the largest franchisees/franchisee organizations in the U.S. based on their collective ownership of franchised businesses. Over the current year, FRANdata has used its institutional knowledge along with information gained directly from franchisees to rank franchisees in terms of the franchised businesses/locations they own.

Methodology: FRANdata has the most comprehensive franchisee database available. FRANdata’s database tracks close to 420,000 franchised business locations in 230 subsectors representing more than 240,000 franchisees. Using this information, complemented by the most extensively verified consumer database in the U.S., FRANdata identifies and consolidates franchisee ownership to formulate the Mega 99 Rankings.

Published: February 15th, 2021

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