Awards›2026›Most Transparent Franchises

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Most Transparent Franchises 2026

Franchises with the highest transparency scores based on FDD disclosure quality.

50 winners · Based on verified FDD data · Updated annually

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How the Transparency Score is Calculated

Measures how thoroughly and clearly a franchise discloses information in their FDD filing.

Earnings Disclosure25%

Whether Item 19 is provided, revenue figures, median data, and sample sizes

Fee Transparency15%

Clarity of franchise fee, royalty rate, and advertising fund disclosures

Legal Cleanliness15%

Absence of pending litigation and bankruptcy history

FDD Completeness15%

Presence of detailed data across Items 1, 7, 11, 12, and 17

System Data15%

Unit counts, growth history, and operational data completeness

Maturity15%

Years in franchising, management depth, and corporate backing

Business Services

General Staffing: 25% of Temporary Gross Profits, 12% of Full-Time Placement Sales. Professionals: 30% of Temporary Gross Profits, 15-20% of Full-Time Placement Sales.

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

Wetzel's Pretzels Unit

Food & Beverage

7% of Adjusted Gross Revenue, except for TWISTED BY WETZEL’S Bakeries (5% of Adjusted Gross Revenue)

Food & Beverage

4% of Net Sales

Midas International

2-10% of Net Revenue; up to 11% in certain cases for a Co-Branding Shop franchise

Cleaning & Restoration

10% of Gross Sales

4% to 7% of Gross Sales

Master Protection

Business Services

35% to 48% of Gross Profits

Business Services

10% of total gross sales, except 25% of sales of Digital Media Ads

Food & Beverage

6% of Gross Receipts

Fleet Feet, Fleet Feet Triathlete

4% of Gross Sales

Creative Colors International

7.5% of gross sales, or a minimum of $375-$625/month

4% of total Net Sales

5% of Gross Sales

Beauty & Personal Care

6% of Net Sales

Precision Door Service

2% to 6% of Gross Sales

Culver's Restaurant

Food & Beverage

4% of Gross Sales

Moe's Southwest Grill Exemptions

Food & Beverage

5% of Net Sales

Food & Beverage

5% of Gross Sales

Food & Beverage

4% of Gross Sales

6.75% of Gross Receipts or $975 per week

Fish Window Cleaning

Cleaning & Restoration

6%-8% of greater of (i) Gross Sales or (ii) Applicable Minimum Performance Standard

Mathnasium Exemptions

Education & Tutoring

Initially, 10% of monthly Gross Receipts plus $500/month base royalty (for first center). After 24 months, base royalty plus greater of 10% monthly royalty or $1,500.

Food & Beverage

5% of Gross Sales

Colors On Parade

9% of the total amount of the Gross Sales within the Designated Area

Food & Beverage

Up to 5% of Net Sales

Einstein Bros. Bagel

Food & Beverage

5% of Gross Sales (Franchise Agreement); 6.5% of Gross Sales (License Agreement, reduced to 4% for airport locations)

Cleaning & Restoration

6.9% of Gross Revenues (tiered)

PJ's Coffee of New Orleans

Food & Beverage

5% of Net Sales

Food & Beverage

6% of Net Revenue (Traditional); 5% (Non-Traditional)

7% of weekly Gross Sales

Sliding scale of 10% to 8% of Gross Sales

Food & Beverage

No royalty fee (revenue derived from required product purchases)

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.

Mr. Goodcents Unit

Food & Beverage

6% of Gross Sales

Education & Tutoring

8% of Gross Sales

The Entrepreneur's Source

Business Services

25% of Placement Fees collected

Food & Beverage

4.5% of Gross Receipts

Mrs. Fields Cookie Store

Food & Beverage

6% of Gross Revenue

Mint Condition Master

Cleaning & Restoration

The greater of 4% of Gross Monthly Revenues or the minimum monthly fee

Business Services

Greater of 7% of Gross Sales or monthly minimum starting with the 13th month, the monthly minimum will be $1,000 a month until the end of the term of the contract.

Mr. Transmission Milex Complete Auto Care

7% of Weekly Gross Sales, or a minimum of $250 (whichever is greater)

Famous Dave's Unit

Food & Beverage

7% of Gross Sales

Mazzio's Italian Eatery and Mazzio's Pizza

Food & Beverage

4% of net sales

NaturaLawn of America Virginia

9% of Gross Sales

Flowers Bakingof Norfolk

Food & Beverage

N/A, other fees apply

Food & Beverage

4.5% of Gross Receipts

Dairy Queen of Virginia

Food & Beverage

4% to 6% of Gross Sales

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.