1.) Subway
Since opening in 1965, Subway has grown from a small submarine sandwich shop into the world's biggest submarine sandwich chain. With more than 28,000 restaurants in 86 countries, Subway continues to grow through its image as a new, healthy alternative among fast-food restaurants.
2.) Dunkin Donuts
Dunkin' Donuts is the world's biggest coffee and baked goods chain. In addition to selling 52 varieties of donuts and more than a dozen coffee beverages, the chain also carries an array of bagels, breakfast sandwiches and other baked goods. With more than 5,000 U.S. franchises, Dunkin' Donuts has maintained a consistent Top 10 ranking since 2004.
3.) Pizza Hut
In 1958, Brothers Frank and Dan Carney on loan $600 from their mother to open a small pizza parlor in their hometown of Wichita, Kansas. Fifty years later, America's no.1 pizza chain hasn't stopped growing. Pizza Hut's specialty pizzas can be found in franchises throughout the world, and the restaurant continues to be a popular destination for pizza lovers.
4.) McDonald’s
This well-known hamburger restaurant has made the Top 10 ranking 27 times in the 29 years we've been compiling the Franchise 500. Ray Kroc opened his first restaurant in 1955 and earned a modest first day's revenue of $366.12. More than 50 years later, McDonald's earns more than $23 billion a year.
5.) Sonic Drive-In Restaurants
Since opening in 1953, this drive-in, car-hop restaurant hasn't strayed far from its roots. Originally started as a hamburger and root beer stand, Sonic now offers wraps, smoothies and other signature items in addition to its traditional American classics. With 3,350 drive-ins coast to coast, average unit sales are more than $1 million a year.
6.) KFC Corporation
Harland Sanders opened the first KFC restaurant in a Kentucky gas station during the Great Depression. Nearly 80 years later, his original recipe is still used in more than 11,000 restaurants worldwide.
7.) Domino’s Pizza LLC
Started in 1960 with $500, this pizza giant had $5.1 billion in global retail sales in 2006 and delivered more than 400 million pizzas. This is the ninth time Domino's Pizza has appeared in the Top 10.
8.) Arby’s
When Arby's opened in 1964, customers enjoyed roast beef sandwiches, potato chips and Texas-sized iced teas. Today, Arby's continues to stray from the traditional fast food fare by offering the same slow-roasted and freshly sliced roast beef sandwiches, in addition to other deli-style sandwiches, wraps and salads.
9.) Baskin-Robbins USA Co.
Since 1945, Baskin-Robbins has introduced more than 1,000 ice cream flavors. With more than 5,800 retail shops in 34 countries, Baskin-Robbins is the world's biggest shackle of ice cream specialty shops, each serving the company's well-known 31 flavor of ice cream as well as frozen yogurt, sherbet, cakes and drinks.
10.) Taco Bell Corp.
This well-liked Mexican fast food chain sells more than 2 billion tacos and 1 billion burritos each year. Taco Bell has more than 5,800 franchises and reached $4.4 billion in franchise sales.
