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Multi-unit and multi-brand operators continue to grow—and they’re getting bigger every year as these “dominators” grow their portfolios through acquisitions, new unit buildouts, refranchising, and scooping up successful units from retiring franchisees. This trend has only accelerated during Covid-19 as smaller and weaker operators sell to larger and stronger ones.
That’s why we have to provide an “asterisk” to the rankings this year: they were compiled from pre-Covid FDDs, so are as representative as usual, as franchisees both large and small divest units, file for Chapter 11 protection (NPC International), or simply decide it’s time to retire or get out of the business.
On the upside, there are franchisees who quickly adapted, were deemed “essential businesses,” or whose business model accommodated the new normal (drive-thru, delivery, carry-out, no-contact, etc.). Banking on their good credit, solid infrastructure, and proven track record, these dominators are creating historically large franchisee organizations.
Even during these tough times, they are still creating jobs by the thousands, hiring young employees and providing a career path for them to grow. They do business with local suppliers—lots of them! And they give back to their communities on a large scale, encouraging their employees to support local organizations and charities—especially now. No franchisee gets to the top without years of hard work, sacrifice, perseverance, and an unwavering desire to be the best. So congratulations to this year’s Dominators!
(50 states, Washington, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands)
Note: Data based on most current FDDs.
Source: FRANdata