Business Services Industry

The need for speed

Entrepreneur, Feb, 1999 by Liza Potter

The 101 fastest-growing franchises

Speed in franchising used to be considered a paradox. But in the franchising culture of the '90s, the race now goes to the swift. Technology, improved communications and international opportunities allow franchises the size of the Titanic to zip into markets with the agility of a speedboat.

The battle for market domination among the nation's most successful franchises means one thing for prospective franchisees: opportunity. On the following pages, we've listed the fastest-growing franchises in the United States. Rankings are based on straight growth in the number of franchises from 1997 to 1998 as verified in Entrepreneur's [TABULAR DATA OMITTED] 20th Annual Franchise 500[R], which you can view by visiting www.entrepreneurmag.com/franchise500.> This ranking isn't intended to endorse any franchise but to provide a starting point for research. Read the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC) plus all related literature for the franchise you're considering; call and visit existing franchisees. Consult an attorney as well as an accountant. Before you take off on the fast track to franchise success, slow down long enough to do your due diligence.