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 2,423 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 (2,423 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	Brand		Investment	Verdict score
01		FirstLight Home CareAStrongest tier Senior Care	Investment $151K – $256K FDD '26	Verdict score 100 / 100
02		SYNERGY HomeCareAStrongest tier Senior Care	Investment $52K – $164K FDD '26	Verdict score 100 / 100
03		CruiseOne / Dream VacationsAStrongest tier Business Services	Investment $13K – $21K FDD '25	Verdict score 100 / 100
04		HomeWell Care ServicesAStrongest tier Senior Care	Investment $54K – $234K FDD '25	Verdict score 100 / 100
05		Superior Fence & RailAStrongest tier Home Services	Investment $134K – $278K FDD '26	Verdict score 100 / 100
06		Transworld Business AdvisorsAStrongest tier Real Estate	Investment $114K – $144K FDD '26	Verdict score 100 / 100
07		i9 SportsAStrongest tier Education	Investment $60K – $70K FDD '26	Verdict score 100 / 100
08		Soccer ShotsAStrongest tier Education	Investment $43K – $54K FDD '26	Verdict score 100 / 100
09		Right at HomeAStrongest tier Senior Care	Investment $94K – $176K FDD '26	Verdict score 100 / 100
10		Benjamin Franklin PlumbingAStrongest tier Home Services	Investment $129K – $270K FDD '24	Verdict score 100 / 100
11		Weed ManAStrongest tier Home Services	Investment $69K – $87K Stale · FDD '22	Verdict score 100 / 100
12		Black Bear DinerAStrongest tier Full-Service Restaurants	Investment $1.5M – $2.2M FDD '26	Verdict score 100 / 100
13		Comfort KeepersAStrongest tier Senior Care	Investment $120K – $191K FDD '25	Verdict score 100 / 100
14		Goldfish Swim SchoolAStrongest tier Education	Investment $1.7M – $3.7M FDD '26	Verdict score 99 / 100
15		Freeway InsuranceAStrongest tier Financial Services	Investment $45K – $84K FDD '26	Verdict score 99 / 100
16		The JunkluggersAStrongest tier Retail	Investment $96K – $359K FDD '26	Verdict score 99 / 100
17		Amazing AthletesAStrongest tier Health & Fitness	Investment $75K – $101K FDD '26	Verdict score 99 / 100
18		CrushrAStrongest tier Cleaning & Maintenance	Investment $150K – $383K FDD '25	Verdict score 99 / 100
19		Paul Davis RestorationAStrongest tier Cleaning & Maintenance	Investment $299K – $805K FDD '26	Verdict score 98 / 100
20		Fleet FeetAStrongest tier Health & Fitness	Investment $352K – $652K FDD '26	Verdict score 98 / 100
21		Nothing Bundt CakesAStrongest tier Quick-Service Restaurants	Investment $667K – $1.0M FDD '25	Verdict score 98 / 100
22		Jersey Mike'sAStrongest tier Quick-Service Restaurants	Investment $436K – $1.2M FDD '26	Verdict score 98 / 100
23		Blue Kangaroo PackoutzAStrongest tier Cleaning & Maintenance	Investment $277K – $595K FDD '26	Verdict score 98 / 100
24		Auntie Anne'sAStrongest tier Retail	Investment $158K – $836K FDD '26	Verdict score 98 / 100
25		RobeksAStrongest tier Quick-Service Restaurants	Investment $298K – $512K FDD '25	Verdict score 98 / 100
26		Conserva IrrigationAStrongest tier Home Services	Investment $126K – $160K FDD '26	Verdict score 98 / 100
27		Stanley SteemerAStrongest tier Cleaning & Maintenance	Investment $147K – $427K FDD '24	Verdict score 96 / 100
28		TeamLogic ITAStrongest tier Business Services	Investment $110K – $145K FDD '26	Verdict score 96 / 100
29		UnishippersAStrongest tier Business Services	Investment $30K – $233K FDD '26	Verdict score 96 / 100
30		Vital CareAStrongest tier Healthcare	Investment $556K – $1.0M FDD '25	Verdict score 95 / 100
31		CarstarAStrongest tier Automotive	Investment $298K – $804K FDD '25	Verdict score 95 / 100
32		Two Men and a TruckAStrongest tier Business Services	Investment $92K – $248K FDD '25	Verdict score 95 / 100
33		RNR Tire ExpressAStrongest tier Automotive	Investment $712K – $1.7M FDD '25	Verdict score 95 / 100
34		Floor Coverings InternationalAStrongest tier Home Services	Investment $201K – $281K FDD '26	Verdict score 95 / 100
35		PirtekAStrongest tier Business Services	Investment $247K – $690K FDD '26	Verdict score 95 / 100
36		PurocleanAStrongest tier Cleaning & Maintenance	Investment $101K – $137K FDD '25	Verdict score 95 / 100
37		CharleysAStrongest tier Quick-Service Restaurants	Investment $203K – $696K FDD '26	Verdict score 95 / 100
38		Arthur Murray Dance StudioAStrongest tier Education	Investment $71K – $252K FDD '25	Verdict score 95 / 100
39		GarageExpertsAStrongest tier Home Services	Investment $136K – $246K FDD '26	Verdict score 95 / 100
40		Miracle MethodAStrongest tier Cleaning & Maintenance	Investment $143K – $262K FDD '26	Verdict score 95 / 100
41		The Cleaning AuthorityAStrongest tier Cleaning & Maintenance	Investment $77K – $147K FDD '26	Verdict score 95 / 100
42	SE	Surface ExpertsAStrongest tier Home Services	Investment $156K – $273K FDD '26	Verdict score 95 / 100
43		Filta Environmental Kitchen SolutionsAStrongest tier Full-Service Restaurants	Investment $124K – $139K FDD '24	Verdict score 95 / 100
44		Lightbridge AcademyAStrongest tier Education	Investment $1.0M – $2.7M FDD '25	Verdict score 94 / 100
45		Spring-green Lawn CareAStrongest tier Business Services	Investment $119K – $135K FDD '26	Verdict score 94 / 100
46		FyzicalAStrongest tier Healthcare	Investment $168K – $419K FDD '25	Verdict score 94 / 100
47		All County®AStrongest tier Real Estate	Investment $86K – $118K FDD '25	Verdict score 94 / 100
48		Just Between FriendsAStrongest tier Education	Investment $67K – $98K FDD '25	Verdict score 94 / 100
49		City WideAStrongest tier Business Services	Investment $230K – $411K FDD '26	Verdict score 93 / 100
50		Cheba HutAStrongest tier Full-Service Restaurants	Investment $631K – $2.1M 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