Ranking · top 25

Safest Franchises to Invest In 2026

Brands with the lowest FranchiseVerdict risk score — STRONG-rated and stable units.

1. 01
   Culver'sSTRONG

   Food & Beverage - Full Service
   Investment

   $2.8M–$6.9M
   Risk score

   16 / 100
2. 02
   Renovation SellsSTRONG

   Real Estate
   Investment

   $79K–$101K
   Risk score

   19 / 100
3. 03
   PaintEZSTRONG

   Home Services - Painting
   Investment

   $95K–$189K
   Risk score

   19 / 100
4. 04
   LIFE SAVER POOL FENCE®STRONG

   Other
   Investment

   $72K–$106K
   Risk score

   20 / 100
5. 05
   WONDERLY LIGHTSSTRONG

   Other
   Investment

   $82K–$115K
   Risk score

   20 / 100
6. 06
   Chicken Salad ChickSTRONG

   Food & Beverage - Full Service
   Investment

   $777K–$1.0M
   Risk score

   22 / 100
7. 07
   ANDY'S FROZEN CUSTARDSTRONG

   Food & Beverage - Ice Cream & Desserts
   Investment

   $1.1M–$2.9M
   Risk score

   22 / 100
8. 08
   Ellianos CoffeeSTRONG

   Food & Beverage - Coffee & Tea
   Investment

   $187K–$1.4M
   Risk score

   22 / 100
9. 09
   IV NutritionSTRONG

   Health & Wellness - Other
   Investment

   $198K–$403K
   Risk score

   22 / 100
10. 10
    POOL SCOUTSSTRONG

    Cleaning - Commercial & Janitorial
    Investment

    $103K–$135K
    Risk score

    22 / 100
11. 11
    7 BREWSTRONG

    Food & Beverage - Coffee & Tea
    Investment

    $894K–$2.2M
    Risk score

    24 / 100
12. 12
    Goldfish Swim SchoolSTRONG

    Education - Tutoring & Test Prep
    Investment

    $1.7M–$3.7M
    Risk score

    24 / 100
13. 13
    Hammer & NailsSTRONG

    Personal Services - Beauty & Salon
    Investment

    $694K–$944K
    Risk score

    24 / 100
14. 14
    Conserva IrrigationSTRONG

    Home Services - Lawn & Landscaping
    Investment

    $126K–$160K
    Risk score

    24 / 100
15. 15
    Jeremiah’s Italian IceSTRONG

    Food & Beverage - Ice Cream & Desserts
    Investment

    $295K–$744K
    Risk score

    24 / 100
16. 16
    Bar-B-CleanSTRONG

    Cleaning - Commercial & Janitorial
    Investment

    $78K–$99K
    Risk score

    24 / 100
17. 17
    Two Men and a TruckSTRONG

    Other
    Investment

    $92K–$506K
    Risk score

    26 / 100
18. 18
    WingstopSTRONG

    Other
    Investment

    $259K–$912K
    Risk score

    26 / 100
19. 19
    SkyRunSTRONG

    Real Estate
    Investment

    $105K–$154K
    Risk score

    27 / 100
20. 20
    ZOOM DRAINSTRONG

    Other
    Investment

    $260K–$491K
    Risk score

    29 / 100
21. 21
    ARCHADECK Outdoor LivingSTRONG

    Food & Beverage - Quick Service
    Investment

    $215K–$239K
    Risk score

    29 / 100
22. 22
    Domino's PizzaSTRONG

    Food & Beverage - Pizza
    Investment

    $107K–$744K
    Risk score

    29 / 100
23. 23
    Hallmark HomecareSTRONG

    Health & Wellness - Senior Care
    Investment

    $110K–$280K
    Risk score

    29 / 100
24. 24
    KITCHEN SOLVERSSTRONG

    Food & Beverage - Quick Service
    Investment

    $102K–$137K
    Risk score

    29 / 100
25. 25
    Outdoor Lighting PerspectivesSTRONG

    Business Services - Printing & Signs
    Investment

    $127K–$214K
    Risk score

    29 / 100

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