The recognition of five United Franchise Group brands on Entrepreneur Magazine's 2026 Franchise 500 list underscores the ongoing strength and reliability of franchising as a pathway to business ownership in uncertain economic times. This annual ranking, now in its 47th year, serves as a critical benchmark for potential franchisees evaluating investment opportunities, making the inclusion of these brands significant for both entrepreneurs and the broader franchise sector.
Transworld Business Advisors led the UFG group at position #44, followed by Signarama at #158, Office Evolution at #393, Fully Promoted at #404, and Exit Factor making its debut appearance at #440. Four of the five brands improved their rankings from the previous year, with Transworld Business Advisors moving up from position 51, Signarama from 174, Office Evolution from 439, and Fully Promoted from 423. This upward trajectory demonstrates sustained growth and operational excellence within these franchise systems.
The Franchise 500 evaluation process examines more than 150 data points across multiple categories including costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial stability. Each franchise receives a cumulative score based on this comprehensive analysis, with the top 500 earning placement in the prestigious ranking. According to Entrepreneur magazine's editor in chief Jason Feifer, "This year's ranking proves that the best brands don't just survive changing markets; they thrive in them. These 500 companies represent some of the most reliable pathways to business ownership in America, each one vetted through our rigorous analysis of what actually drives franchisee success."
For potential franchise investors, this recognition provides valuable third-party validation of these brands' operational systems and support structures. The Franchise 500 has long been considered the industry's gold standard for identifying franchise excellence, offering entrepreneurs data-driven insights when considering business ownership opportunities. The complete ranking can be viewed at https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500.
United Franchise Group Chairman and CEO Ray Titus noted, "We're incredibly proud of these five franchise brands for this well-deserved recognition. Each has achieved impressive growth over the past year, driven by talented corporate teams and hardworking franchisees across the country. We look forward to supporting the brands as they continue to make business ownership a reality for so many." This acknowledgment comes as UFG continues to expand its global footprint, with the organization's affiliated brands operating more than 1,800 franchises across over 80 countries worldwide.
The inclusion of these five brands on the Franchise 500 list matters because it provides tangible evidence of their financial stability, growth potential, and franchisee support systems at a time when economic uncertainty makes business investment decisions particularly challenging. For the franchise industry as a whole, such recognition reinforces the value of established franchise systems that offer entrepreneurs proven business models, comprehensive training, and ongoing operational support. As franchising continues to evolve in response to changing market conditions, rankings like the Franchise 500 help maintain industry standards while guiding potential business owners toward opportunities with demonstrated track records of success.
