Three convenience-store chains—two that are embroiled in a major takeover battle—and a major c-store industry foodservice provider landed on the Franchise Times Top 400, the annual ranking of the largest U.S.-based franchise systems by global systemwide sales.
The Top 10 Franchise Systems
McDonald’s
7-Eleven
KFC
Burger King
Ace Hardware
Chick fil-A
Subway
Domino’s
Circle K
Taco Bell
The retailers included 7-Eleven (No. 2), Circle K (No. 9) and ampm (No. 56). The supplier was Chester’s Chicken (No. 164).
No. 2: 7-Eleven
Global Sales: $97,885,166,233
U.S. Units: 12,470
International Units: 70,285
Total Units: 82,755
Percent Franchised: 93%
Percent International Units: 85%
U.S. Franchised Units: 7,245
International Franchised Units: 69,689
Total Global Locations: 82,755
Investment Range: $141,650 - $1,370,850
Initial Investment: $0 - $560,000
7-Eleven is No. 1 on CSP’s 2024 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by store count.
No. 9: Circle K
Global Sales: $17,742,901,659
U.S. Units: 6,158
International Units: 7,576
Total Units: 13,734
Percent Franchised: 21%
Percent International Units: 55%
U.S. Franchised Units: 631
International Franchised Units: 2,207
Investment Range: $3,079,500 - $8,296,500
Initial Investment: $25,000
Circle K is No. 2 on CSP’s 2024 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by store count.
No. 56: ampm
System Sales (U.S.): $1,672,207,106
Total Locations (U.S.): 1,020
Percent Franchised: 91%
Franchised Units: 933
Investment Range: $1,786,065 - $7,602,242
Initial Investment: $70,000
bp, which owns the ampm brand, is No. 7 on CSP’s 2024 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by total number of company-owned stores.
No. 164: Chester’s Chicken
Global Sales: $408,305,162
US Units: 1,002
International Units: 68
Total Units: 1,070
Percent Franchised: 100%
Percent International Units: 6%
U.S. Franchised Units: 1,002
International Franchised Units: 68
Investment Range: $27,500 - $296,500
Initial Investment: $12,000 - $50,000
The Franchise Times Top 400 is the result of a five-month research and reporting effort. To qualify, a company must be a legal U.S. franchise. Franchisees must own at least 15% of the company’s total units. The company must also be based in the United States or have at least 10% of its total units in the United States.
Systemwide sales is defined as the total sales for both franchise and company units. Those sales figures represent sales to customers, not corporate sales to franchisees or prospective franchisees, such as royalty revenue or franchise fees. The ranking does not include other revenue not directly related to franchising.
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