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Franchising in Europe – Introduction to the Top 500

Franchising is huge in Europe. With a population of 450+ million, Europe represents one of the most dynamic marketplaces for franchising in the world. Though American brands still dominate the Top 500 franchises, many European franchises also have become big names on the continent and beyond.

 
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Rank Franchise Name Units Established Country Industry
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1 7-Eleven 47298 1927 United States of America Food: Convenience Stores
2 Subway 37003 1965 United States of America Food: Sandwich Bar and Coffee Shop
3 McDonald's 33427 1955 United States of America Food: Restaurants
4 Kumon Inst. Of Education Co. Ltd. 25431 1954 Japan Education: Children
5 KFC (Yum Restaurants) 22000 1930 United States of America Food: Restaurants
6 Spar 13600 1932 Netherlands Food: Convenience Stores
7 Europcar 13000 1949 France Automotive: Automobile Renting and Leasing
8 Pizza Hut 12700 1958 United States of America Food: Restaurants
9 Burger King 12000 1954 United States of America Food: Restaurants
10 Mexx 11600 1980 Netherlands Retail: Clothing and Footwear
11 Jani-King 11000 1969 United States of America Commercial Hygiene
12 Curves International 10000 1992 United States of America Health and Beauty: Other
13 Domino's Pizza 9000 1960 United States of America Food: Restaurants
14 Dunkin' Donuts 8835 1950 United States of America Food: Baked Goods Donuts and Pastry
15 Century 21 8500 1971 United States of America Real Estate
16 Re/max 7500 1973 United States of America Real Estate
17 Yamaha Music School 7200 1954 Japan Education: Children
18 Dia (Carrefour) 6475 1966 Spain Food: Supermarkets
19 Fornetti 6464 1997 Hungary Food: Distribution
20 Choice hotels 6202 1939 United States of America Hotels
21 Benetton Group 6200 1965 Italy Retail: Clothing and Footwear
22 Dairy Queen 6067 1940 United States of America Food: Fast Food
23 Mail Boxes Etc. 6000 1980 United States of America Business: Products and Services
24 Baskin-Robbins 6000 1945 United States of America Food: Ice Cream and Yoghurt
25 Bata 5000 1939 Czech Republic Retail: Clothing and Footwear
26 Snap on Tools 4750 1920 United States of America Building, Construction
27 InterContinental Hotels Group 4516 1952 United Kingdom Hotels
28 ServiceMaster Clean 4500 1947 United States of America Commercial Hygiene
29 Ace Hardware 4130 1924 United States of America Retail: Gardening Products & DIY
30 Avis Europe 4000 1946 UK - England Automotive: Automobile Renting and Leasing
31 Best Western 4000 1946 United States of America Hotels
32 Papa John's Pizza 4000 1985 United States of America Food: Fast Food
33 Mister Minit 4000 1957 Belgium Retail: Other
34 Etam 3834 1916 France Retail: Clothing and Footwear
35 Hilton 3750 1919 United States of America Hotels
36 Chem-Dry 3633 1977 United States of America Commercial Hygiene
37 Arby's Restaurant Group 3610 1964 United States of America Food: Fast Food
38 Tecnocasa 3550 1979 Italy Real Estate
39 Sport 2000 3500 1966 France Retail: Other
40 Schmetterling Reisen 3500 1990 Germany Travel
41 Quiznos Sub 3000 1981 United States of America Food: Sandwich Bar and Coffee Shop
42 ERA Real Estate 2700 1971 United States of America Real Estate
43 BayWa 2700 1923 Germany Retail: Other
44 The Body Shop 2500 1976 UK - England Health and Beauty: Other
45 The Carphone Warehouse 2453 1989 UK - England Computer, Electronic and Internet Services
46 MIDAS 2319 1956 United States of America Automotive: Exhaust Tyre and Windscreen Repair
47 ContiTrade Europe 2100 1992 Germany Automotive: Exhaust Tyre and Windscreen Repair
48 Imar Vip Clinic 2000 1980 Italy Health and Beauty: Other
49 Glassinter 2000 1992 Spain Automotive: Exhaust Tyre and Windscreen Repair
50 Ecomarché 2000 1958 France Food: Convenience Stores
51 Point S 1950 1971 France Automotive: Exhaust Tyre and Windscreen Repair
52 Hampton Hotels (Hilton) 1909 1983 United States of America Hotels
53 Anytime Fitness 1906 2001 United States of America Health and Beauty: Sports and Recreation
54 Swarovski 1833 1895 Austria Retail: Jewellers
55 5àSec 1750 1968 France Dry Cleaning, Laundry
56 Budget Rent A Car 1700 1958 United States of America Automotive: Automobile Renting and Leasing
57 Mango 1700 1984 Spain Retail: Clothing and Footwear
58 Cartridge World 1700 1988 Australia Computer, Electronic and Internet Services
59 Naturhouse 1700 1992 Spain Health and Beauty: Other
60 Vival (Casino) 1700 1998 France Food: Convenience Stores
61 Novus 1696 1972 United States of America Automotive: Exhaust Tyre and Windscreen Repair
62 Merry Maids (Servicemaster) 1628 1979 United States of America Home Services: Home Furnishings - Refinishing and Repair
63 Yves Rocher 1600 1959 France Health and Beauty: Other
64 Leonidas 1400 1913 Belgium Food: Candy Popcorn and Snacks
65 MRW 1350 1977 Spain Couriers
66 Carl's Jr. Restaurants 1331 1945 United States of America Food: Fast Food
67 No Mas Vello 1307 2007 Spain Health and Beauty: Other
68 MRW Zeppeline 1300 1997 Spain Photo, Frame, Art
69 Pro et Cie 1300 1980 France Retail: Appliances
70 Snap Fitness 1289 2003 United States of America Health and Beauty: Sports and Recreation
71 Domotecnica 1251 1993 Italy Home Services: Other
72 Bang & Olufsen 1200 1925 Denmark Retail: Other
73 Calzedonia 1200 1986 Italy Retail: Clothing and Footwear
74 ORPI Agences Nº1 1200 1965 France Real Estate
75 Aunti Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels 1175 1988 United States of America Food: Baked Goods Donuts and Pastry
76 WSI Internet 1173 1995 Canada Computer, Electronic and Internet Services
77 Elytis 1171 1993 France Health and Beauty: Other
78 Norauto/Auto 5/Maxauto 1118 1970 France Automotive: Products and Services
79 Intimissimi 1100 1996 Italy Retail: Clothing and Footwear
80 Schülerhilfe 1100 1974 Germany Education: Children
81 Higien Sec 1100 1981 Spain Dry Cleaning, Laundry
82 Pizza del Arte (Le Duff) 1095 1984 France Food: Restaurants
83 Fressnapf Tiernahrungs GmbH 1094 1990 Germany Retail: Pet Products and Services
84 ActionCoach 1069 1993 Australia Business: Products and Services
85 Champion 1021 1969 France Food: Supermarkets
86 Edible Arrangements 1020 1999 United States of America Food: Specialty Shops
87 Yogen Fruz 1004 1986 United States of America Food: Ice Cream and Yoghurt
88 Celio 1000 1985 France Retail: Clothing and Footwear
89 Sign-A-Rama 1000 1986 United States of America Business: Products and Services
90 Camille Albane (Dessange int.) 1000 1954 France Health and Beauty: Other
91 Jean Louis David 1000 1960 France Health and Beauty: Hairstyling and Cosmetics
92 Kall Kwik 1000 1979 United States of America Business: Products and Services
93 Studienkreis 1000 1974 Germany Education: Children
94 Foto Quelle 1000 1957 Germany Photo, Frame, Art
95 Alain Afflelou 984 1972 France Health and Beauty: Opticians
96 Regus Business Centres 983 1989 United States of America Business: Products and Services
97 Management Recruiters Worldwide 950 1965 United States of America Business: Products and Services
98 Cinnabon 947 1985 United States of America Food: Baked Goods Donuts and Pastry
99 Coffee News 945 1988 United States of America Miscellaneous
100 E.nopi / Eye Level 944 1976 South Korea Education: Children

Methodology Franchise Top 500

November 20, 2008 / TOP 500 ARTICLE
Franchise Direct has identified the Top 500 biggest franchise opportunities operating across Europe. This year's list is based on the number of units the franchise currently operates in Europe. To arrive at this figure we referred to several European Franchise Association Web sites as well as numerous franchise directories. We verified the figure by referring to the franchise's own Web... Read more.

Franchise Statistics for the European Union

August 26, 2008 / TOP 500 ARTICLE
Franchising in Europe in on track for continuing positive growth. The 27 nations that comprise the European Union represent a single market of more than 450 million consumers. Read more.

Franchising in Europe: Past, Present and Future

August 26, 2008 / TOP 500 ARTICLE
Although franchising is mistakenly thought to be twentieth century innovation, the concept has its first beginnings in the European feudal systems of the middle ages. Read more.

European Franchise Federation

August 26, 2008 / TOP 500 ARTICLE
The European Franchise Federation (www.eff-franchise.com) is a non-profit international organisation that represents, promotes and defends the interests and development of franchising in Europe. The EFF was founded in 1972, and its headquarters are in Brussels. Read more.

European Franchising – Trends and Developments

August 26, 2008 / TOP 500 ARTICLE
The franchise industry in the European Union has tremendous growth possibilities. With 450 million consumers in 27 nations, many franchisor companies worldwide, especially U.S. businesses, are eager to expand franchise units into Europe. Read more.