How often are FranchiseVerdict rankings updated?

We re-rank every time a brand's FDD year refreshes (typically annually). The list reflects each brand's most recent FDD, so filing years vary across rows.

Do franchisors pay for placement in FranchiseVerdict rankings?

No. FranchiseVerdict takes no money from franchisors. Inclusion and order are determined entirely by FDD filings and SBA 7(a) records.

What does a FranchiseVerdict ranking actually measure?

Each ranking sorts brands on a single metric (here: Verdict score). It's one signal — always cross-reference with other rankings and the verdict grade before treating the order as a recommendation.

Why are some franchise brands missing from the rankings?

Brands without the underlying metric populated are excluded. For revenue rankings, that means brands that didn't disclose Item 19. For SBA rankings, brands with fewer than 30 SBA 7(a) loans on file (where statistical reliability breaks down).

Ranking · top 50 of 2,630 eligible

Lowest-Risk Franchises 2026

Brands with the highest FranchiseVerdict score: A-rated and stable units.

FranchiseVerdict Top revenue Lowest risk Fastest growing Lowest investment Best SBA performers

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How we rank these brands

We pull every brand with the underlying data populated (2,630 eligible for this ranking), score them on the verdict score metric, and show the top 50. No franchisor pays for placement — the order reflects only the published FDD and SBA records, normalized per our methodology.

Use this ranking as a research tool, not a buy list.

Gross sales are not profit.
Item 19 reporting methods vary by brand.
High revenue can require high capital.
SBA performance is one risk signal, not the whole picture.
Talk to current and former owners before investing.

Compare the top 3 side by side

Rank		Investment	Verdict score
01	CruiseOne / Dream VacationsAStrongest tier Business Services	Investment $13K – $21K FDD '25	Verdict score 100 / 100
02	SYNERGY HomeCareAStrongest tier Senior Care	Investment $52K – $164K FDD '26	Verdict score 100 / 100
03	Christian Brothers AutomotiveAStrongest tier Automotive	Investment $515K – $650K FDD '26	Verdict score 100 / 100
04	FirstLight Home CareAStrongest tier Senior Care	Investment $151K – $256K FDD '26	Verdict score 100 / 100
05	Right at HomeAStrongest tier Senior Care	Investment $94K – $176K FDD '26	Verdict score 100 / 100
06	Weed ManAStrongest tier Home Services	Investment $69K – $87K Stale · FDD '22	Verdict score 100 / 100
07	Benjamin Franklin PlumbingAStrongest tier Home Services	Investment $129K – $270K FDD '24	Verdict score 100 / 100
08	Comfort KeepersAStrongest tier Senior Care	Investment $120K – $191K FDD '25	Verdict score 100 / 100
09	Goldfish Swim SchoolAStrongest tier Education	Investment $1.7M – $3.7M FDD '26	Verdict score 99 / 100
10	Freeway InsuranceAStrongest tier Financial Services	Investment $35K – $84K FDD '26	Verdict score 99 / 100
11	Paul Davis RestorationAStrongest tier Cleaning & Maintenance	Investment $299K – $805K FDD '26	Verdict score 98 / 100
12	Valvoline Instant Oil ChangeAStrongest tier Automotive	Investment $192K – $640K FDD '26	Verdict score 98 / 100
13	Fleet FeetAStrongest tier Health & Fitness	Investment $352K – $652K FDD '26	Verdict score 98 / 100
14	Nothing Bundt CakesAStrongest tier Quick-Service Restaurants	Investment $667K – $907K FDD '25	Verdict score 98 / 100
15	Jersey Mike'sAStrongest tier Quick-Service Restaurants	Investment $436K – $1.2M FDD '26	Verdict score 98 / 100
16	Auntie Anne'sAStrongest tier Retail	Investment $158K – $836K FDD '26	Verdict score 98 / 100
17	RobeksAStrongest tier Quick-Service Restaurants	Investment $298K – $512K FDD '25	Verdict score 98 / 100
18	Cruise PlannersAStrongest tier Recreation & Entertainment	Investment $2K – $21K FDD '26	Verdict score 98 / 100
19	Conserva IrrigationAStrongest tier Home Services	Investment $126K – $160K FDD '26	Verdict score 98 / 100
20	Qdoba Mexican EatsAStrongest tier Quick-Service Restaurants	Investment $546K – $1.3M FDD '24	Verdict score 96 / 100
21	HomeWell Care ServicesAStrongest tier Senior Care	Investment $54K – $234K FDD '25	Verdict score 96 / 100
22	Stanley SteemerAStrongest tier Cleaning & Maintenance	Investment $176K – $510K FDD '26	Verdict score 96 / 100
23	TeamLogic ITAStrongest tier Business Services	Investment $110K – $145K FDD '26	Verdict score 96 / 100
24	Spring-green Lawn CareAStrongest tier Business Services	Investment $119K – $135K FDD '26	Verdict score 96 / 100
25	CarstarAStrongest tier Automotive	Investment $298K – $804K FDD '25	Verdict score 95 / 100
26	UnishippersAStrongest tier Business Services	Investment $17K – $233K FDD '26	Verdict score 95 / 100
27	Miracle MethodAStrongest tier Cleaning & Maintenance	Investment $143K – $262K FDD '26	Verdict score 95 / 100
28	PirtekAStrongest tier Business Services	Investment $247K – $690K FDD '26	Verdict score 95 / 100
29	Arthur Murray Dance StudioAStrongest tier Education	Investment $71K – $252K FDD '25	Verdict score 95 / 100
30	i9 SportsAStrongest tier Education	Investment $60K – $70K FDD '26	Verdict score 95 / 100
31	Transworld Business AdvisorsAStrongest tier Real Estate	Investment $114K – $144K FDD '26	Verdict score 95 / 100
32	Filta Environmental Kitchen SolutionsAStrongest tier Full-Service Restaurants	Investment $124K – $139K FDD '24	Verdict score 95 / 100
33	Two Men and a TruckAStrongest tier Business Services	Investment $92K – $248K FDD '25	Verdict score 95 / 100
34	Soccer ShotsAStrongest tier Education	Investment $43K – $54K FDD '26	Verdict score 95 / 100
35	Superior Fence & RailAStrongest tier Home Services	Investment $134K – $278K FDD '26	Verdict score 95 / 100
36	Lightbridge AcademyAStrongest tier Education	Investment $1.0M – $2.7M FDD '25	Verdict score 94 / 100
37	Take 5 Oil ChangeAStrongest tier Automotive	Investment $912K – $2.1M FDD '25	Verdict score 94 / 100
38	FyzicalAStrongest tier Healthcare	Investment $168K – $419K FDD '25	Verdict score 94 / 100
39	All County®AStrongest tier Real Estate	Investment $86K – $118K FDD '25	Verdict score 94 / 100
40	Just Between FriendsAStrongest tier Education	Investment $67K – $98K FDD '25	Verdict score 94 / 100
41	City WideAStrongest tier Business Services	Investment $230K – $411K FDD '26	Verdict score 93 / 100
42	Cheba HutAStrongest tier Full-Service Restaurants	Investment $631K – $2.1M FDD '26	Verdict score 93 / 100
43	WingstopAStrongest tier Quick-Service Restaurants	Investment $310K – $1.0M FDD '26	Verdict score 93 / 100
44	WoodcraftAStrongest tier Retail	Investment $574K – $756K FDD '26	Verdict score 93 / 100
45	Amada Senior CareAStrongest tier Senior Care	Investment $118K – $430K FDD '25	Verdict score 93 / 100
46	Penn Station East Coast SubsAStrongest tier Quick-Service Restaurants	Investment $474K – $765K FDD '25	Verdict score 93 / 100
47	Made in the Shade Blinds & MoreAStrongest tier Home Services	Investment $78K – $108K FDD '25	Verdict score 93 / 100
48	ScreenmobileAStrongest tier Home Services	Investment $148K – $210K FDD '26	Verdict score 93 / 100
49	Lil’ KickersAStrongest tier Education	Investment $40K – $64K FDD '25	Verdict score 93 / 100
50	Amazing AthletesAStrongest tier Health & Fitness	Investment $75K – $101K FDD '26	Verdict score 93 / 100

Sourced from FDD filings + SBA 7(a) disclosures · Updated when each brand's FDD year is refreshed

Rankings compare brands across FDD filing years (2017 to 2026). Revenue, investment, and unit count figures reflect each brand's most recent FDD, not a single common date. Check the FDD year shown on each brand's row or profile page for context.

Frequently asked questions

How often are rankings updated?: We re-rank every time a brand's FDD year refreshes (typically annually). The list reflects each brand's most recent FDD, which is why filing years vary across rows. The FDD year is shown on each brand's row so you can weight recency.
Do franchisors pay for placement?: No. FranchiseVerdict takes no money from franchisors. Brand inclusion and order are determined entirely by FDD filings and SBA 7(a) records, normalized per our methodology.
What does the rank really tell me?: The metric is one signal — not the whole picture. A brand ranking #1 on revenue might also have a high SBA charge-off rate or weak unit growth. Always cross-reference with the other rankings (and the verdict grade) before treating the order as a recommendation.
Why aren't all brands in this ranking?: Brands without the underlying metric populated are excluded. For revenue rankings, that means brands that didn't disclose Item 19. For SBA rankings, brands with no SBA 7(a) loan records (or fewer than 30 loans on file, where statistical reliability breaks down).

Browse all brands Open the Opportunity Matrix