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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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