Joel Libava
This post serves as a warning to anyone thinking about purchasing a franchise listed as one of the “Most Profitable Franchises” in the near future. Keep reading.
The Most Profitable Franchises of 2025?
Each year, a website called “The Franchise Business Review” (FBR) puts together a list of what they call “The Most Profitable Franchises.”
From the website:
“FBR has identified this year’s Most Profitable Franchise Opportunities based on feedback from nearly 35,000 franchise owners from over 365 leading franchise brands. In addition to ranking above the benchmark for high franchisee satisfaction, the brands on this list have at least 25% of their franchise owners reporting annual incomes of $150,000 or higher.”
Sounds good to me.
And I’m sure it does to you-if you’re a prospective franchise owner looking to make money as a franchisee. And that’s the idea. The owners of that website want you to click to that page.
I mean who wouldn’t want to buy a profitable franchise?
I know I would. If only it was that easy…
My Little Experiment With The Most Profitable Franchises
Being around franchising as long as I have, when I see something that doesn’t sit well with me, it’s easy for me to look at it and quickly get to the heart of the matter.
In this case, it’s a supposed list of The Most Profitable Franchises. So I did some digging.
The first thing I did was randomly pick a franchise that was listed as a “most profitable franchise,” and requested a download of the “report.”
As you can see from the image, 46 franchisees sent in surveys about Chicken Salad Chick.
Here are some of the things they were asked about:
- Training and Support
- Leadership
- Core Values
- Franchise Community
- Financial Opportunity
In this case, the ratings ranged from Good, Very Good, to Excellent.
Interestingly enough, the “Financial Opportunity” part was only rated “Good.”
Which seems not so good for one of the “Most Profitable Franchises.”
Benchmarks
The other section of the report includes “Benchmarks.”
For example, under “Franchise Community,” there are 4 things that franchisees are asked to rate.
But I’m not going to share what they are here. If you’d like one of their reports, you are welcome to give the owners of the FBR website your name, email address, and phone number.
Most pet franchise opportunities aren't worth your time. This one is different — and most people never even hear about it. Low investment. Serious support. Real upside.
Check Out This Opportunity Today
Finally, there was one thing missing from the report I received. And it’s a biggie.
Most Profitable Franchises Report Doesn’t Include Proof Of Profits
Call me crazy, but if I clicked a link to something titled “The Most Profitable Franchises,” I’d want to see proof.
Proof that the franchises listed are truly the most profitable franchises around.
Numbers.
Like charts with profit figures/averages of every franchisee who agreed to participate in the survey. In the report.
As in, where’s the evidence? Show me!
And speaking of numbers…
What About The Other 4,700 Franchises for 2025?
FBR only surveyed 365 franchise opportunities. They named 75 of them as the moneymakers.
What about the other franchise opportunities out there?
Are they profitable, too?
Is there a chance that some of the franchises not surveyed are more profitable than the Profitable Franchises on the FBR Most Profitable list?
Of course!
And what’s the incentive for franchisees of the franchise companies listed on FBR to take valuable time away from their ‘profitable‘ businesses to participate in the survey?
Wait. There’s something else.
Do any of the 365 franchise companies deemed “The Most Profitable” pay any fees to FBR to be on the list-or to be promoted as such?
Why do I ask?
Because FBR isn’t a non-profit business. As I wrote about here.
My Sincere Apology To The Most Profitable Franchises Mentioned
I’m serious. I’m super-familiar with a lot of franchisors on the list. Heck, I even did some marketing for one of them.
Being on that list isn’t a bad thing. So, I’m sorry if I’m coming across like it is. And if you’re on that list, I don’t blame you for putting out Press Releases announcing your inclusion in it. It looks good for your brand. But the idea of a list like this is a bad idea. Why?
Because it states that the 75 franchisors on the list are the most profitable-without showing the specific numbers needed to back up their claim.
Now maybe I missed it.
Maybe (because FBR now has my valuable email address), I’ll be receiving that proof in a future email. Maybe.
There’s something else.
FBR states the following about their list of The Most Profitable Franchises:
“The data also shows that franchisees from these Most Profitable Franchise brands rate their satisfaction with their overall financial performance 19% higher than brands not on the list, and 9 out of 10 (90%) would “Recommend their franchise to others.”
How does that work?
In Conclusion
Wrapping up, what are your feelings about a franchise profitability list like this?
Do you base your buying decision because a franchise is on a list like this?
Or, do you take it with a grain of salt and do your franchise research the right way?
As in, thoroughly. With proof via the numbers.
And by having lots of conversations with franchisees.
I hope so.
About the Author
Joel Libava is The Franchise King® — an independent franchise advisor with 25+ years in the industry, two published books on franchising, and his writing has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, CNBC, Entrepreneur® Magazine and others. In addition, he wrote exclusively for the U.S. Small Business Administration blog for eight years. He doesn't sell franchises. Instead, Joel helps you figure out if franchise ownership is actually right for you — and if it is, teaches you his powerful, proven-to-work franchise research techniques, so you can make a smart, informed decision on a franchise to own and be your own boss.
Note: When you buy through links on this website, we may earn an affiliate commission.
