Business Services Industry
Retail
Entrepreneur, Jan, 2006
RETAIL
Franchise
500
Ranking Franchise Description
CONVENIENCE STORES
9 7-Eleven Inc. Convenience store
449 White Hen Convenience store
HOBBY STORES
210 HobbyTown USA General hobbies & supplies
421 Franchise Corp. Woodworking supply specialty store
TOOLS
41 Snap-on Tools Professional tools & equipment
47 MatcoTools Tools
VITAMINS/HEALTH PRODUCTS
26 GNC Franchising Inc. Vitamin & nutrition store
274 Max Muscle Sports nutrition products &
athletic apparel
310 Purified Water To Go Retail water & nutrition store
NOT RANKED
Discount Sport Sports supplements, vitamins,
Nutrition herbs
Wateria Purified water store
WIRELESS STORES
135 Wireless Zone Wireless communications store
309 Wireless Toyz Cellular phones, satellite
systems, accessories
MISCELLANEOUS RETAIL BUSINESSES
55 Aaron's Sales & Furniture, electronics & appliance
Lease Ownership leasing/sales
127 Gateway Cigar Newsstand & sundry store
store/Newstands
160 Batteries Plus Batteries & related products
165 Plato's Closet New/used clothing for teens &
young adults
242 Crown Trophy Inc. Award & recognition items
323 Party American Party supplies, balloons, cards
Franchising Inc.
329 Flowerama of America Flowers, plants, gifts, silk items
373 CardSmart Retail Card & gift stores
Corp.
NOT RANKED
Apricot Lane Fashion accessories, gifts,
candles, home decor
Country Clutter Gifts, home decor, candles,
fashion accessories
Just-A-Buck General merchandise for $1
Music Go Round New/used musical instruments,
sound equipment
Party Land Inc. Party supplies & balloons
Restyle Consignment clothing store
7 Valleys Custom Tobacco retail stores
Blends Farm Fresh
Tobacco
Theater Xtreme Home theaters & furnishings
Franchise
500
Ranking Franchise Contact Information
CONVENIENCE STORES
9 7-Eleven Inc. Dallas, TX (800)255-0711
449 White Hen Lombard, IL (800)726-8791/
(630)366-3100
HOBBY STORES
210 HobbyTown USA Lincoln, NE (800)858-7370
421 Franchise Corp. Parkersburg, WV (304)422-5412
TOOLS
41 Snap-on Tools Kenosha, WI (800)756-3344
47 MatcoTools Stow, OH (800)368-6651
VITAMINS/HEALTH PRODUCTS
26 GNC Franchising Inc. Pittsburgh, PA (800)766-7099/
(412)338-2503
274 Max Muscle Anaheim, CA (714)456-0700
310 Purified Water To Go Las Vegas, NV (800)976-9283/
(702)895-9350
NOT RANKED
Discount Sport Dallas, TX (972)489-7925
Nutrition
Wateria Whittier, CA (562)906-1001
WIRELESS STORES
135 Wireless Zone Middletown, CT (860)632-9494
309 Wireless Toyz Farmington Hills, (866)237-2624/
MI (248)426-8200
MISCELLANEOUS RETAIL BUSINESSES
55 Aaron's Sales & Atlanta, GA (800)551-6015
Lease Ownership
127 Gateway Cigar Richmond Hill, ON (800)942-5351/
store/Newstands (905)737-7755
160 Batteries Plus Hartland, WI (800)274-9155
165 Plato's Closet Minneapolis, MN (800)269-4081/
(763)520-8581
242 Crown Trophy Inc. Hawthorne, NY (800)583-8228
323 Party American Alameda, CA (510)747-1800
Franchising Inc.
329 Flowerama of America Waterloo, IA (319)291-6004
373 CardSmart Retail Central Falls, RI (877)227-3762
Corp.
NOT RANKED
Apricot Lane Vacaville, CA (800)428-8883/
(707)451-6890
Country Clutter Vacaville, CA (800)428-8883/
(707)451-6890
Just-A-Buck New City, NY (800)332-2229/
(845)638-4111
Music Go Round Minneapolis, MN (800)269-4076/
(763)520-8582
Party Land Inc. Plymouth Meeting, (800)778-9563/
PA (610)941-6200
Restyle Waco, TX (254)757-1445
7 Valleys Custom Hilton Head (843)681-3966
Blends Farm Fresh Island, SC
Tobacco
Theater Xtreme Newark, DE (301)455-1334
Franchise
500
Ranking Franchise Contact Information
CONVENIENCE STORES
9 7-Eleven Inc. www.7-eleven.com
449 White Hen www.whitehen.com
HOBBY STORES
210 HobbyTown USA www.hobbytown.com
421 Franchise Corp. www.woodcraft.com
TOOLS
41 Snap-on Tools www.snapon.com
47 MatcoTools www.matcotools.com
VITAMINS/HEALTH PRODUCTS
26 GNC Franchising Inc. www.gncfranchising.com
274 Max Muscle www.maxmusclefranchise.com
310 Purified Water To Go www.watertogo.com
NOT RANKED
Discount Sport www.sportsupplements.com
Nutrition
Wateria www.wateriausa.com
WIRELESS STORES
135 Wireless Zone www.wirelesszone.com
309 Wireless Toyz www.wirelesstoyz.com
MISCELLANEOUS RETAIL BUSINESSES
55 Aaron's Sales & www.aaronsfranchise.com
Lease Ownership
127 Gateway Cigar www.gatewaynewstands.com
store/Newstands
160 Batteries Plus www.batteriesplus.com
165 Plato's Closet www.platoscloset.com
242 Crown Trophy Inc. www.crownfranchise.com
323 Party American www.partyamerica.com
Franchising Inc.
329 Flowerama of America www.flowerama.com
373 CardSmart Retail www.cardsmart.com
Corp.
NOT RANKED
Apricot Lane www.apricotlandusa.com
Country Clutter www.countryclutterfranchise.com
Just-A-Buck www.just-a-buck.com
Music Go Round www.musicground.com
Party Land Inc. www.partyland.com
Restyle www.findleygroup.com
7 Valleys Custom www.customblends.com
Blends Farm Fresh
Tobacco
Theater Xtreme www.theaterxtreme.com
Franchise Year Began/
500 Franchising Available
Ranking Franchise Since U.S. Regions
CONVENIENCE STORES
9 7-Eleven Inc. 1927/1964 NE,MW,SW,W
449 White Hen 1965/1965 IL,IN,MA,NH
HOBBY STORES
210 HobbyTown USA 1969/1986 All
421 Franchise Corp. 192811997 All
TOOLS
41 Snap-on Tools 1920/1991 All
47 MatcoTools 1979/1993 All
VITAMINS/HEALTH PRODUCTS
26 GNC Franchising Inc. 1935/1988 All
274 Max Muscle 1991/2001 All
310 Purified Water To Go 1992/1995 All
NOT RANKED
Discount Sport 1996/2000 All
Nutrition
Wateria 1994/1997 CA
WIRELESS STORES
135 Wireless Zone 1988/1989 NE,SE
309 Wireless Toyz 1995/2001 All
MISCELLANEOUS RETAIL BUSINESSES
55 Aaron's Sales & 1955/1992 All
Lease Ownership
127 Gateway Cigar 1983/1983 All
store/Newstands
160 Batteries Plus 1988/1992 All
165 Plato's Closet 1998/1999 All
242 Crown Trophy Inc. 1978/1987 All
323 Party American 1980/1987 All
Franchising Inc.
329 Flowerama of America 1966/1972 All
373 CardSmart Retail 1996/2001 All
Corp.
NOT RANKED
Apricot Lane 1991/2004 All
Country Clutter 1991/1992 All
Just-A-Buck 1988/1992 All
Music Go Round 1986/1994 All
Party Land Inc. 1986/1988 All
Restyle 2005/2005 All
7 Valleys Custom 1993/2005 All
Blends Farm Fresh
Tobacco
Theater Xtreme 2003/2004 All
2003 No. of
Franchise Franchises/
500 Seeking Company-
Ranking Franchise Foreign? Owned
CONVENIENCE STORES
9 7-Eleven Inc. No 21,887/2,547
449 White Hen No 216/13
HOBBY STORES
210 HobbyTown USA C 141/2
421 Franchise Corp. No 51/9
TOOLS
41 Snap-on Tools C,F 4,648/66
47 MatcoTools C 1,336/18
VITAMINS/HEALTH PRODUCTS
26 GNC Franchising Inc. C,F ** 1,975/2,531
274 Max Muscle No 65/2
310 Purified Water To Go C,F 64/0
NOT RANKED
Discount Sport C 4/0
Nutrition
Wateria No 15/12
WIRELESS STORES
135 Wireless Zone No 156/1
309 Wireless Toyz No 24/3
MISCELLANEOUS RETAIL BUSINESSES
55 Aaron's Sales & C 253/458
Lease Ownership
127 Gateway Cigar C 366/0
store/Newstands
160 Batteries Plus No 196/15
165 Plato's Closet No 89/1
242 Crown Trophy Inc. No 115/1
323 Party American C,F ** 63/63
Franchising Inc.
329 Flowerama of America No 80/11
373 CardSmart Retail No 27/9
Corp.
NOT RANKED
Apricot Lane No N/A/0
Country Clutter No 59/3
Just-A-Buck F 36/10
Music Go Round No 43/6
Party Land Inc. C,F 610/0
Restyle No N/A/N/A
7 Valleys Custom C ** N/A/2
Blends Farm Fresh
Tobacco
Theater Xtreme No N/A/2
2004 No. of 2005 No. of
Franchise Franchises/ Franchises/
500 Company- Company-
Ranking Franchise Owned Owned
CONVENIENCE STORES
9 7-Eleven Inc. 23,350/2,446 25,139/2,377
449 White Hen 208/8 193/19
HOBBY STORES
210 HobbyTown USA 152/2 164/2
421 Franchise Corp. 65/7 74/4
TOOLS
41 Snap-on Tools 4,664/71 4,464/62 (1)
47 MatcoTools 1,346/9 1,377/4 (2)
VITAMINS/HEALTH PRODUCTS
26 GNC Franchising Inc. 2,023/2,649 2,108/2,644 (3)
274 Max Muscle 82/2 88/1
310 Purified Water To Go 74/0 87/0
NOT RANKED
Discount Sport 4/0 4/0
Nutrition
Wateria 12/11 15/9
WIRELESS STORES
135 Wireless Zone 201/0 249/0
309 Wireless Toyz 34/2 84/2
MISCELLANEOUS RETAIL BUSINESSES
55 Aaron's Sales & 321/686 376/748
Lease Ownership
127 Gateway Cigar 376/0 403/0
store/Newstands
160 Batteries Plus 218/14 231/14
165 Plato's Closet 115/1 144/1
242 Crown Trophy Inc. 125/0 132/0
323 Party American 59/63 59/92
Franchising Inc.
329 Flowerama of America 89/11 87/12
373 CardSmart Retail 78/9 75/8
Corp.
NOT RANKED
Apricot Lane 4/0 10/0
Country Clutter 59/4 43/4
Just-A-Buck 33/10 29/8
Music Go Round 42/1 39/1
Party Land Inc. 616/0 609/0
Restyle N/A/N/A 0/0
7 Valleys Custom N/A/2 0/2
Blends Farm Fresh
Tobacco
Theater Xtreme 0/2 1/3
Franchise
500 Startup Costs
Ranking Franchise (Franchise Fee)
CONVENIENCE STORES
9 7-Eleven Inc. Varies(Varies)
449 White Hen $55.96K-209.3K(to$30K)
HOBBY STORES
210 HobbyTown USA $140K-700K($10K-19.5K)
421 Franchise Corp. $451K-551K($50K)
TOOLS
41 Snap-on Tools $14.5K-270.2K($5K)
47 MatcoTools $72K-169K($0)
VITAMINS/HEALTH PRODUCTS
26 GNC Franchising Inc. $132.7K-182K($40K/30K)
274 Max Muscle $175K($25K)
310 Purified Water To Go $39.5K-175K($15K-29.5K)
NOT RANKED
Discount Sport $82.7K-165.3K($25K)
Nutrition
Wateria $125K-130K($20K)
WIRELESS STORES
135 Wireless Zone $42.4K-145.8K($7.5K-25K)
309 Wireless Toyz $222.2K-400K($30K)
MISCELLANEOUS RETAIL BUSINESSES
55 Aaron's Sales & $269K-574K($50K)
Lease Ownership
127 Gateway Cigar $55.9K-362.8K($15K-125K)
store/Newstands
160 Batteries Plus $177.5K-313.5K($30K)
165 Plato's Closet $144.8K-285.4K($20K)
242 Crown Trophy Inc. $125K-155K($35K)
323 Party American $250.8K-491.5K($25K)
Franchising Inc.
329 Flowerama of America $180K($35K)
373 CardSmart Retail $193.9K-263.6K($15K)
Corp.
NOT RANKED
Apricot Lane $164.9K-350.9K($25K)
Country Clutter $164.9K-350.9K($25K)
Just-A-Buck $140K-250K($25K)
Music Go Round $207K-284K($20K)
Party Land Inc. $299K($35K)
Restyle $52K-67.3K($22.5K)
7 Valleys Custom $112.2K-197K($30K)
Blends Farm Fresh
Tobacco
Theater Xtreme $300K-500K($25K)
Franchise
500 Financing
Ranking Franchise Royalty Offered?
CONVENIENCE STORES
9 7-Eleven Inc. Varies Yes
449 White Hen Varies Yes
HOBBY STORES
210 HobbyTown USA 3-4% Yes
421 Franchise Corp. 5% No
TOOLS
41 Snap-on Tools $50/mo. Yes
47 MatcoTools 0 Yes
VITAMINS/HEALTH PRODUCTS
26 GNC Franchising Inc. 6% Yes
274 Max Muscle 3% Yes
310 Purified Water To Go 6% Yes
NOT RANKED
Discount Sport 5% No
Nutrition
Wateria $0.01/gallon No
WIRELESS STORES
135 Wireless Zone Varies Yes
309 Wireless Toyz 13% Yes
MISCELLANEOUS RETAIL BUSINESSES
55 Aaron's Sales & 6% Yes
Lease Ownership
127 Gateway Cigar 3.5% Yes
store/Newstands
160 Batteries Plus 4% Yes
165 Plato's Closet 4% No
242 Crown Trophy Inc. 5% Yes
323 Party American 4% Yes
Franchising Inc.
329 Flowerama of America 5% Yes
373 CardSmart Retail 2.5% No
Corp.
NOT RANKED
Apricot Lane 5.5% No
Country Clutter 5.5% No
Just-A-Buck 4% Yes
Music Go Round 3% No
Party Land Inc. 5% No
Restyle $500/mo. No
7 Valleys Custom 6% No
Blends Farm Fresh
Tobacco
Theater Xtreme 4% No
Franchise Kiosk/
500 Homebased Express Unit
Ranking Franchise Opportunity Available
CONVENIENCE STORES
9 7-Eleven Inc. No No
449 White Hen No No
HOBBY STORES
210 HobbyTown USA No No
421 Franchise Corp. No No
TOOLS
41 Snap-on Tools Yes No
47 MatcoTools Yes No
VITAMINS/HEALTH PRODUCTS
26 GNC Franchising Inc. No No
274 Max Muscle No No
310 Purified Water To Go Yes Yes
NOT RANKED
Discount Sport No Yes
Nutrition
Wateria No No
WIRELESS STORES
135 Wireless Zone No Yes
309 Wireless Toyz No No
MISCELLANEOUS RETAIL BUSINESSES
55 Aaron's Sales & No No
Lease Ownership
127 Gateway Cigar No No
store/Newstands
160 Batteries Plus No No
165 Plato's Closet No No
242 Crown Trophy Inc. No No
323 Party American No No
Franchising Inc.
329 Flowerama of America No No
373 CardSmart Retail No No
Corp.
NOT RANKED
Apricot Lane No No
Country Clutter No No
Just-A-Buck No No
Music Go Round No No
Party Land Inc. No No
Restyle No No
7 Valleys Custom Yes Yes
Blends Farm Fresh
Tobacco
Theater Xtreme No No
K: Thousands ($)
M: Millions (S)
N/A: Not Applicable
REGIONS: NE: Northeast S: South SE: Southeast
MW: Midwest SW: Southwest W: West
C: Canada F: Other Foreign
* Selling multiple units/master licenses only
** Selling int'l. master licenses only
(1) Snap-on Tools has 452 additional nonfranchise units.
(2) Matco Tools has 75 additional nonfranchise units.
(3) GNC Franchising Inc. has 969 additional nonfranchise units.
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