3 C-Store Chains Earn Spots on 2023 Franchise 500 Ranking

Taco Bell tops the 2023 Franchise 500 rankings. The two largest convenience-store chains in the industry also earned spots on Entrepreneur magazine’s 44th annual ranking, while a third, smaller chain made a significant move up the list.

The Franchise 500 ranking is intended to shine a light on the unique challenges and changes that have shaped the franchise industry over the last year, according to the publication, and how franchisors have adapted and evolved to meet them.

The evaluation is based on five key factors:

• Costs & Fees: Franchise fee, total investment and royalty fees
• Support: Training times, marketing support, operational support, franchisor infrastructure, financing availability and litigation
• Size & Growth: Open & operating units, growth rate and closures
• Brand Strength: Social media, system size, years in business and years franchising
• Financial Strength & Stability: Franchisor's audited financial statements

Here are the three c-store retailers on the list, as well as two foodservice franchisees that specialize in c-store locations …

Initial investment: $125,000-$1.3 million

Entrepreneur notes:

7-Eleven is a franchise of convenience stores in the United States and abroad. Founded in 1927 in Dallas, Texas, the store in its modern form has become known for its Slurpees and Big Gulp deals. 

7-Eleven prides itself on being a place to pick up something you forgot at the grocery store, grab a snack, and fuel up your vehicle. 

Whether it's a hot or cold beverage, a lotto ticket, or a toothbrush, 7-Eleven has built its brand based on convenience and what community members may need.

There are over 7,300 7-Eleven franchises in the United States, and outside the U.S., more than 59,000 locations.

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• 7-Eleven is No. 1 on CSP’s 2022 Top 202 ranking of the largest U.S. c-store chains by number of company-owned retail outlets.

Initial investment: $269,000-$2.1 million

Entrepreneur notes:

Circle K is a chain of convenience stores with a significant presence in the U.S., as well as more than 10 countries worldwide. This company can trace its roots back to 1951. Since it began to offer franchising opportunities in 1995, the chain has grown to include more than 600 franchised stores in the U.S. and more than 2,000 locations outside of the United States. 

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• Alimentation Couche-Tard is No. 2 on CSP’s 2022 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by store count.

Initial investment: $9,000-$349,000

Under the brand names Champs Chicken and Cooper’s Express, Holts Summit, Mo.-based PFSbrands distributes more than 30 million pounds of chicken, seafood, breadings, sauces and a variety of side dishes annually to more than 1,000 grocery stores and convenience stores nationwide.

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Initial investment: $160,000-$826,000 million

Entrepreneur notes:

Farm Stores is a unique business that helps clients shop for groceries, baked products, restaurant-quality meals, and snacks. The stores are usually small, and their drive-thru concept offers customers fast shopping options to get fresh products and enjoy friendly service. 

Farm Stores has been in operation since 1957 and began franchising in 2015. There are over 40 franchises spread throughout the United States. An ideal franchisee has previous managerial and retail experience, is willing to learn and apply the business model, and has excellent interpersonal skills.

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Farm Stores Grocery is No. 145 on CSP’s2022 Top 202ranking of U.S. c-store chains by store count.

Initial investment: $16,000-$288,000

Entrepreneur notes:

Chester's, which was founded in 1952, is a quick-serve restaurant that sells fresh, never frozen, marinated chicken that's double-breaded and fried using a secret, family recipe. There are over 1,300 locations in convenience stores, truck stops, and supermarkets.

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Click here to review the complete Franchise 500 list.