Awards›2026›Best Retail Franchise

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Best Retail Franchise 2026

Top franchise in retail.

25 winners · Based on verified FDD data · Updated annually

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How the Industry Score is Calculated

Uses the same overall scoring methodology but filtered to only franchises within this specific industry category.

Transparency25%

Earnings disclosure, fee clarity, and FDD completeness

System Health20%

Unit count, growth trend, and system stability

Earnings Data15%

Item 19 disclosure and revenue data quality

Legal Record12%

Litigation and bankruptcy history

Investment Accessibility10%

Cash requirements, investment cost, and financing availability

Franchisee Retention10%

Unit closure rate, transfer rate, and growth trend

Maturity8%

Years franchising and management depth

Fleet Feet, Fleet Feet Triathlete

4% of Gross Sales

5% of Gross Sales

3% of monthly Gross Revenues or minimum monthly Continuing Fee, whichever is greater

Mainstream Boutique

7.5% of Net Revenues

The greater of $500 per month or 6% of your gross revenues up to $600,000.00; 4% of your gross revenues from $600,000.01 to $1,000,000; and 2% of your gross revenues over $1,000,000.

Play It Again Sports

5% of Gross Sales

5% of Gross Volume with a monthly minimum Royalty of: (a) $400 if the population of the market the Franchised Business is located in is less than 250,000; (b) $600 if the population of the market the Franchised Business is located in is equal to or greater than 250,000 and less than 500,000; or (c) $800 if the population of the market the Franchised Business is located in is equal to or greater than 500,000

4% of Gross Sales

Supplement Superstores

5% of weekly Gross Revenues

4% of your “Gross Sales”

Premier Rental Purchase

5% of Gross Rental Payments and Sales or $2,500/month (whichever is greater)

The Spice & Tea Exchange

7% of your Gross Sales

7% of Gross Revenues (6% if gross reaches $7,500/week)

5% of your “Gross Sales”

5% of monthly Gross Sales

6% of the first $100,000 in annual Gross Sales, 5% of annual Gross Sales in excess of $100,000

5% of Gross Receipts

The Smoky Grass Station

3.5% of Gross Revenues

4% of Gross Revenue (2% for the first 6 months)

Metal Supermarkets

On monthly Gross Sales up to $140,402 a royalty fee of 6% of such Gross Sales; on Gross Sales from $140,403 to $207,794 a royalty fee of 5% of such Gross Sales; and on Gross Sales from $207,797 or more, a royalty fee of 3% of such Gross Sales

SPICE & TEA EXCHANGE FRANCHSING

4% of your Gross Volume

4% of total Net Sales

6% of Net Sales

Southern Steer Business

6% of annual Gross Revenues from $1.00 to $1,000,000; 5% from $1,000,001 to $2,000,000; and 4% from $2,000,001 and greater

Methodology

Rankings are calculated from verified Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) data. Scores are based on a weighted composite of transparency, system health, earnings disclosure, legal record, and franchise maturity. No franchise can pay for a higher ranking. Data is sourced from state franchise registry filings. See our Disclaimer for more information.