Bond's Top 100 Franchises, 2011

With more than 3,500 franchises available, choosing the right one can be a daunting process. Here, Robert E. Bond simplifies matters with his picks for the 100 best franchises in the food, lodging, retail, and service segments. The selection is based on a number of factors, including historical performance, franchisee satisfaction, financial stability, and competitive advantage. A stringent, detailed analysis is provided for each company.