Convenience-industry chicken concept Chester's International took the No. 36 slot, and convenience-industry QSR concept Hot Stuff Foods ranked [image-nocss] at No. 292.
7-Eleven (No. 6)
Improvements in Dallas-based 7-Eleven's financial strength rank (from No. 177 to No. 170) and growth rank (from No. 115 to No. 89) boosted this chain into the top 10 on this year's AllStar List. The company has consistently ranked high due to its strong brand presence, company leadership and continued commitment to helping entrepreneurs become franchisees.
As discounters like Target and Wal-Mart expand their food offerings, the c-store industry has gotten more competitive. To grow, 7-Eleven actively seeks independent c-store owners interested in converting their businesses to 7-Eleven. It also encourages military veterans to buy franchises by participating in the International Franchise Association's VetFran program and consistently receives honors from diversity publications. 7-Eleven finances inventory for the duration of the franchise term.
In 2010, it ranked at No. 16; in 2009, No. 4.
Circle K (No. 54)
Overall, Circle K, based in Laval, Quebec, maintained its financial strength rank this year, and its growth rank rose as well, moving the company a bit higher on the list.
Circle K has a conversion program and offers funding to convert an existing store based on the existing sales level, or to build a new store based on the square footage allocated to convenience-related products. The company is listed on the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Franchise Registry and participates in the International Franchise Association's VetFran program.
In 2010 , it came in at No. 75; in 2009, No. 55.
Chester's International (No. 36)
Chester's International's outstanding growth rank (No. 2) and high financial strength rank (No 70) helped this fried chicken foodservice concept make an "impressive debut" on the AllStar list. Although Chester's franchised units number in the hundreds, the company has been in business since 1952 and has more than 1,500 nonfranchised licensed units worldwide, giving it huge system size rank (No. 46).
Chester's offers franchisees a range of location options, including foodservice units inside c-stores, truckstops and supermarkets; restaurants co-branded with other national brands; and restaurants in malls and food courts. The menus offer variety as well--franchisees can choose between takeout only or takeout/dine-in formats. These choices can bring startup costs as low as $7,900.
Birmingham, Ala.-based Chester's can direct franchisees to sources of financing and equipment leasing. The company is listed on the SBA's Franchise Registry.
Hot Stuff Foods (No. 292)
Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Hot Stuff Foods is ready to give consumers what they want, when they want it. The company serves "ready-to-go" food items through a variety of franchise options, some of which cost as little as $52,500 to start.
Hot Stuff has an "outstanding" financial strength rank (No. 5), but a drop in its growth rank moved it lower on the overall ranking this year. Franchises are located in nontraditional venues such as c-stores, corporate offices, military bases and university campuses.
In 2010, the company launched Hot Stuff Foods Xpress, a new foodservice distribution partnership and license initiative. Designed for retail locations, Hot Stuff Foods Xpress takes up minimal space, requires less labor and costs less to operate (there are no franchise fees or royalties). Hot Stuff Foods does not offer financing, but will provide franchisees with names of potential lenders.
In 2010, it ranked at No. 72; in 2009, No. 252.
Click hereto view the full AllBusiness AllStar Franchise list, including costs, fees and financing information, as well as other details.AllBusiness.com, based in San Francisco,is a leading online resource for small businesses, providing tools and resources to start, grow, and managea business.
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