Before you go into business for yourself you’ll need to critically assess if you have what it takes to succeed.

Here are 7 signs you are not quite ready - but don’t get discouraged, you can get there!

You’re not Quite Ready If…

1. You’re not comfortable being the decision maker

Are you the kind of person who is comfortable having the final, non negotiable say in something?  You’ll need to be when you decide to start your own business. Countless times you will need to make “make or break” decisions about your business and those decisions will be yours alone. Other times you will need to draw a line in the sand and stick by your guns on a decision you know is right for your business – if you’re not currently comfortable with that, you’ll need to get there.

2. You lack long term focus

Some people live day to day, or have a hard time planning past next week. That’s fine in your personal life, but in business a short term outlook can be a killer. You’ll need to be comfortable planning for the next five years, and maintain focus on that plan in order to be successful. Remember – Short term outlooks lead to short term goals. And I’m sure you want to be in business long term.

3. You lack time or willingness to reprioritize your life

If you can’t picture a life where you won’t be able to watch every episode of Survivor, business owner ship may not be for you. Starting and run a profitable business takes an inordinate amount of time, and while we all have other commitments outside of our businesses, you need to sacrifice and reprioritize your personal time to make it work.

4. You don’t have the support of your significant other

Starting and running a business will affect your family, and especially your significant other more than you realize. They shoulder much of the burden of the startup, even if they aren’t actively involved in it’s management. Their support is imperative to your success. If they are not supportive, work to get them there before you launch.

5. The thought of 16 hour days make you cringe

As we said above, starting and running a business is an inordinate amount of work. The myth is that business owners have a lot more free time than the “wage slaves”, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. You will work longer, harder, and more intensely than you ever have working for someone else.

6. You have a hard time accepting full responsibility

Everything your business does, or does not do, is your responsibility. Sure a supplier may have dropped the ball, or an employee screwed up, but guess what? You are the person who will need to answer to that. More times than I can count I’ve had to step up and take responsibility for something that wasn’t necessarily my “fault”. It’s part of paying the cost to be the boss – be ready for it.

7. Your personal house is not in order

You will need to be in a strong position personally to make a business work. This means in a good place with your relationships, finances, and state of mind. When you are in the early stages of building a business you will be faced with numerous situations where throwing in the towel seems like a good idea. The stronger a personal foundation you have built the easier it will be for you to push on and make your venture a success. 

 

Self Assess For Success

As you can see some of the above are personality based, and will be harder to change. While others are more lifestyle choice based. The idea here is to know where your strengths and weaknesses lie, and to critically assess yourself before you take a leap into running your own business.

If you find you exhibit some of the above traits, don’t get down, or throw in the towel. Just work at improving before you launch, you’ll put yourself in a much better position relative to the competition who didn’t do the same kind of self assessment.

So you’re thinking about opening a restaurant. The allure of fame and fortune seduces you, your love of food drives you, and you want to heat up your life in an exciting industry. That’s all fine and well–just as long as you make sure the flame isn’t turned up too high. Even in a healthy economy, the restaurant failure rate tells a grim tale, but in a recession, the industry is even more unforgiving. Expensive food spoils, labor costs are high, restaurant-goers are harder to come by, restaurants close and life goes on.

But we also know we’re talking to a special breed of people: entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs have the drive to go against the grain and the nerve to try their luck in such a ruthless industry. We’re not saying don’t do it. We’re just saying to equip yourself with the right tools or you might just find yourself at the bottom of the food chain. To help you get started, we reached out to a handful of industry experts and food entrepreneurs and compiled the perfect recipe for starting a restaurant or food business in a down economy.

Start with a Dose of Reality
Though you may be anxious to start stirring up business, you can’t afford to skip this one step: building a solid foundation. “The biggest thing to avoid is ‘Polaroid Syndrome’–here’s me in my restaurant, here’s me with my chef,’” warns Clark Wolf, founder and president of Clark Wolf Co., a food, restaurant and hospitality consulting firm. “That’s not what this is. This is something very different and a lot more work.”

Starting a restaurant requires in-depth knowledge about much more than just food. It’s also about marketing, financing and people skills. Even if you’re not single-handedly equipped with all that know-how, it’s not necessarily a deal-breaker. “Take [on] a working partner, someone who’s as equally involved in the business as you but brings something different to the table,” advises Marilyn Schlossbach, a restaurateur and consultant who has been involved in the industry for more than 20 years.

Possessing the right knowledge is only part of the equation; having sufficient capital comprises the rest. “Historically, people have heard that undercapitalization is the No. 1 cause for failure in business,” Wolf says. “It has never been truer. You really need to know not just how much money you need to open the restaurant, but also where the rest of it is coming from.” Have enough capital to endure the first six months, Wolf advises, as well as an additional source of capital to get your business through several months after that.

Add a Good Concept and a Handful of the Right Ingredients
While the restaurant industry in general has taken a hit, one segment in particular seems to be faring better than the others. The fast-casual category is capturing customer dollars by offering healthier options at more affordable price points that spell value for consumers. In 2007, fast-casual chains enjoyed a 13.3 percent spike in sales growth and a 9.5 percent jump in unit growth, making it the growth vehicle for the limited-service restaurant industry, according to food-service consulting firm Technomic.

 

Both Schlossbach and Wolf agree that fast-casual has potential, but Wolf also believes success isn’t so clearly labeled. Regardless of the segment, restaurateurs need to focus on making their customers feel better–the No. 1 reason people go to restaurants, says Wolf. Whether through good food or good service, ensure that customers will feel comfortable and safe. And take note of what customers crave. Wolf points out that people craved comfort foods, such as mashed potatoes, after the economic crash in ‘87 and sushi after 9/11. And now? “The icons of this economic period are 1) a really good hamburger from really good meat and bacon because it’s an American birthright, and 2) we are entering the macaroni-and-cheese economy, but the cheese is much better,” he says. “Both [dishes] are going to be served with farmer’s market greens.” Wolf recommends using in-season, local, heirloom and organic ingredients.

 

J. Dean Loring, 51, and Michael Gilligan, 52, seem to be right on the money. In 2007, they founded Burger Lounge, a fast-casual hamburger restaurant in La Jolla, California. They use only organic, grass-fed beef served on a proprietary bun, focus on presentation and deliver it all with an elevated level of service designed to exceed their guests’ expectations. And while other restaurants are contracting or downright going out of business, Burger Lounge is expanding. It’s opening a fourth location, averages sales of $1,100 per square foot and projects year-end sales of more than
$5 million. “A lot of people are sitting on the sidelines and are nervous about what’s going to happen,” Loring says, “but we see a lot of opportunities both in real estate and in presenting a product that dovetails with people’s needs now. I wouldn’t say our company or product or model are recession proof, but they thrive in that market.”

Pour in a Whole Lot of Love and Commitment but Cut Out Unnecessary Spending
In an economy where banks are tight on their lending and credit card companies are slashing credit lines, getting the cash you need to run your business may simply be out of your control. If that’s the case, think outside the box–and more along the lines of a truck.

Street food isn’t what it used to be. Fancy concoctions, fresh ingredients and unique offerings have raised street vendors to a whole new level. In fact, they’ve become such a part of the restaurant scene in New York City that they’ve merited their own awards, the Vendy Awards, which for the last four years have recognized the city’s best street vendors. They’re the new generation of kiosks and a temptingly low-cost way of entering the restaurant scene.

Jerome Chang and Chris Chen, 32 and 25, respectively, opened their mobile food concept, DessertTruck, in 2007 with about $100,000 in startup capital. (Chen has since left the company.) From the side window of their custom-made truck, customers can order delectable $5 desserts such as slow-baked apples and cinnamon, molten chocolate cake, and vanilla crème brûlée right on the street; year-end sales are projected to reach about $500,000. Chang and Chen may have gotten their business under way with a minimal investment, but don’t be too reckless in cutting costs. Chang admits they selected the cheapest vendor to build the truck and now, more than a year later, they’re still paying for their poor decision. “Dealing with mechanical issues is something any mobile food business faces, and it’s something that will consume you if you’re not prepared,” says Chang, who paid $65,000 for the truck. “In our case, we went with a lower-priced vendor, and it has resulted in many more issues, most of them preventable.”

In addition to maintenance problems, the design of the truck is far from user-friendly: The back door, through which Chang and his eight employees load, doesn’t stay open. He’s also had to fight to secure one of a limited number of street vending permits that New York City grants. Nevertheless, starting a mobile food concept allowed Chang to establish a reputation and create a healthy buzz. Indeed, surviving the hard times will enable you to get through almost anything. “The restaurant business is a business of pennies, nickels and dimes,” Wolf says. “If you open now and learn how to do it successfully, you’re well prepared for all times.”

 

On the Cutting Board Save even more money with these additional cost-cutting tips: Go green. Using sustainable products in everything from recycled cups to solar paneled roofs can have a big impact on your bottom line. Just ask. Everyone’s hurting, including your landlords and suppliers. Negotiate lower prices by agreeing to pay back the favor when the economy starts to recover. “As things get better, everybody needs to be prepared to be generous with each other, and as things are tough, we need to protect each other,” says Clark Wolf, president and founder of Clark Wolf Co., a food, restaurant and hospitality consulting firm. “I’m really recommending that flexibility.” Get involved in community organizations. Marketing your business doesn’t have to cost a lot. Join your local chamber of commerce to partake in community-wide marketing efforts or partner up with the local theater to offer “dinner and a movie” packages, advises Marilyn Schlossbach, a restaurateur and consultant. Watch costs. This can save major dough. “Make sure you spend money where people can feel it,” says Wolf. “This is not a moment for chandeliers.”

This listing showcases the 120 restaurant franchises organized by category, then by their rank in the 2009 Franchise 500®, Entrepreneur’s comprehensive franchise ranking.

This ranking is not an endorsement of any of these franchise companies and is only intended as a starting point. You should only invest in a franchise after conducting your own extensive research, including carefully reading the Franchise Disclosure Document, contacting existing franchise owners, and consulting an attorney and an accountant.
Listing compiled by Tracy Stapp.

Baked goods

Dunkin’ Donuts
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 36
Coffee, doughnuts, baked goods
dunkinfranchising.com
(561)626-4114/(781)737-3432

Auntie Anne’s Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 73
Hand-rolled soft pretzels
auntieannes.com
(717)435-1479

Pretzelmaker/Pretzel Time
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 99
Gourmet pretzels
pretzelmaker.com
(800)524-6444/(770)514-4500

Cinnabon
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 114
Cinnamon rolls & baked goods
cinnabon.com
(404)255-3250

Wetzel’s Pretzels
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 228
Soft pretzels, lemonade, hot dogs
wetzels.com
(626)432-6900

Nestle Toll House
Cafe by Chip
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 232
Cookies, baked goods, coffee, ice cream, smoothies
nestlecafe.com
(214)495-9533

Great American Cookie Co. Franchising LLC
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 257
Cookies
greatamericancookies.com
(800)524-6444/(770)514-4500

Great Harvest Franchising Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 290
Bread bakery
greatharvest.com
(800)442-0424/(406)683-6842

 

Bruegger’s
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 306
Bagels, breads, sandwiches, soups, salads
brueggers.com
(866)660-4104

Big Apple Bagels
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 369
Bagels, sandwiches, gourmet coffee, muffins, smoothies
babcorp.com
(800)251-6101/(847)948-7520

Philly Pretzel Factory
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 480
Pretzel bakery
phillypretzelfactory.com
(800)679-4221
Chicken

KFC Corp.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 14
Chicken
yumfranchises.com
(866)298-6986

Chester’s Int’l.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 74
Quick-service chicken restaurant
chestersinternational.com
(800)646-9403

Buffalo Wild Wings
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 87
Buffalo wings & sandwiches
buffalowildwings.com
(800)499-9586

Wingstop Restaurants Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 97
Chicken wings
wingstop.com
(972)686-6500

El Pollo Loco
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 150
Flame-grilled chicken meals & Mexican entrees
elpolloloco.com
(714)599-5000

Bojangles’ Restaurants Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 158
Chicken & biscuits
bojangles-franchise.com
(704)527-2675

Wing Zone Franchise Corp.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 329
Buffalo wings takeout & delivery
wingzone.com
(877)333-9464/(404)875-5045

Wings Over . . .
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 490
Chicken wings
wingsover.com
(413)789-8632

Coffee

Scooter’s Coffeehouse
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 340
Coffee, teas, smoothies, pastries, sandwiches
scooterscoffee.com
(866)863-7266

Daily Grind Unwind Coffee House & Cafe
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 360
Coffeehouse & cafe
dailygrindunwind.com
(540)450-2701

Dunn Bros Coffee
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 367
Coffee
dunnbros.com
(612)334-9746

The Human Bean Drive Thru
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 380
Specialty coffee
thehumanbean.com
(541)608-0564
Full-service restaurants

Denny’s Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 25
Full-service family restaurant
dennys.com
(800)304-0222

CiCi’s Pizza
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 91
All-you-can-eat pizza buffet
cicispizza.com
(972)745-4200

Golden Corral Franchising Systems Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 125
Family steakhouse, buffet & bakery
goldencorralfranchise.com
(800)284-5673

Friendly’s Restaurants Franchise LLC
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 182
Family-style restaurant/ice cream
friendlys.com
(413)731-4211

Beef ‘O’Brady’s
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 190
Family sports pub
beefobradys.com
(813)226-2333

The Melting Pot Restaurants Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 203
Fondue-specialty restaurant
meltingpot.com
(813)881-0055

Famous Dave’s
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 216
Barbecue-themed restaurant
famousdaves.com
(952)294-1300

Boston Pizza Restaurants LP
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 338
Casual dining restaurant & sports bar
bostonsgourmet.com
(866)277-8721

Western Sizzlin
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 421
Family steakhouse
westernsizzlin.com
(540)345-3195

Genghis Grill
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 442
Mongolian stir-fry restaurant
genghisgrill.com
(888)436-4447/(214)774-4240

Indigo Joe’s Sports Pub & Restaurant
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 455
Sports pub & restaurant
indigojoes.com
(888)303-5637

Native New Yorker
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 457
Sports bar
nativenewyorker.com
(480)247-8610

Bandana’s Bar-B-Q
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 458
Barbecue restaurant
bandanasbbq.com
(636)537-8200

Bar-B-Cutie
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 463
Barbecue restaurant
bar-b-cutie.com
(615)372-0707

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 500
Family-style restaurant
perkinsrestaurants.com
(901)766-6400

Hamburgers

McDonald’s
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 2
Hamburgers, chicken, salads
mcdonalds.com
(630)623-6196

Sonic Drive In Restaurants
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 4
Drive-in restaurant
sonicdrivein.com
(800)569-6656/(405)225-5000

Hardee’s
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 26
Burgers, chicken, biscuits
ckefranchise.com
(866)253-7655

Carl’s Jr. Restaurants
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 62
Hamburgers
ckr.com
(866)253-7655

Checkers Drive-In
Restaurants Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 89
Burgers & fries
checkers.com
(813)283-7000

A & W Restaurants Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 199
Burgers, hot dogs, root beer
yumfranchises.com
(866)298-6986

Farmer Boys
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 396
Hamburgers
farmerboys.com
(888)930-3276/(951)275-9900

Ice cream & frozen desserts

Baskin-Robbins USA Co.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 13
Ice cream, frozen yogurt, frozen beverages
baskinrobbins.com
(781)737-3000

Dairy Queen
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 16
Soft-serve dairy products & sandwiches
dairyqueen.com
(952)830-0200

Cold Stone Creamery
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 46
Ice cream, Italian sorbet
coldstonecreamery.com
(480)362-4800

Rita’s Italian Ice
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 76
Italian ices, frozen custard, gelati
ritas.com
(800)677-7482

Ben & Jerry’s
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 120
Ice cream parlor
benjerry.com
(802)846-1500

Dippin’ Dots Franchising
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 175
Specialty ice cream, frozen
yogurt, ices, sherbert
dippindots.com
(270)575-6990

Yogen Fruz
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 213
Frozen yogurt & soft-serve ice cream
yogenfruz.com
(905)479-8762

The Haagen-Dazs Shoppe Co. Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 223
Ice cream & frozen yogurt
haagendazs.com
(800)793-6872

Marble Slab Creamery Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 244
Ice cream, frozen yogurt, baked goods
marbleslab.com
(800)524-6444/(770)514-4500

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 279
Homemade ice cream
brusters.com
(724)774-4250

MaggieMoo’s Int’l. LLC
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 342
Ice cream, smoothies, cakes
maggiemoos.com
(800)524-6444/(770)514-4500

Culver Franchising System Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 355
Frozen custard & specialty burgers
culvers.com
(608)643-7980

Cefiore
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 417
Frozen yogurt
cefiore.com
(909)869-7727

Paciugo Italian Gelato
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 418
Gelato
paciugo.com
(214)654-9501

Freddy’s Frozen Custard LLC
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 441
Frozen custard, steak burgers, hot dogs
freddysfrozencustard.com
(316)260-8282

Repicci’s Italian Ice
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 454
Italian ice
repiccisitalianice.com
(888)732-5423

Ziiing Frozen Yogurt
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 460
Frozen yogurt
ziiingyogurt.com
(949)752-9464

Juice bars

Smoothie King
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 67
Smoothies & healthy products
smoothieking.com
(800)577-4200/(985)635-6973

Robeks Fruit Smoothies & Healthy Eats
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 172
Fruit smoothies & healthy foods
robeks.com
(866)476-2357

Tropical Smoothie Cafe
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 176
Smoothies, sandwiches, wraps, coffee, soups
tropicalsmoothie.com
(888)292-2522

Juice It Up!
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 189
Juice bar
juiceitup.com
(949)475-0146

Surf City Squeeze
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 234
Smoothies, fruit drinks,
nutritional supplements
kahalacorp.com
(480)362-4800

Nrgize Lifestyle Cafe
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 255
Smoothies, meal-replacement shakes, protein bars
kahalacorp.com
(480)362-4800

Maui Wowi Hawaiian
Coffees & Smoothies
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 256
Hawaiian coffees & smoothies
mauiwowi.com
(877)849-6992

Planet Smoothie
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 339
Smoothies & snacks
ravingbrands.com
(678)999-0513

Froots
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 451
Smoothies, wraps, salads, soups, juices
froots.com
(954)364-6284

Mexican quick service

Taco Bell Corp.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 20
Quick-service Mexican restaurant
yumfranchises.com
(866)298-6986

Qdoba Mexican Grill
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 94
Fast-casual Mexican food
qdoba.com
(720)898-2300

Moe’s Southwest Grill
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 113
Fast-casual Southwestern food
moes.com
(404)255-3250

Taco John’s Int’l. Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 152
Mexican food
tacojohns.com
(800)854-0819

TacoTime
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 204
Quick-service Mexican restaurant
kahalacorp.com
(480)362-4800

Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 411
Fresh-Mex-style cantina
salsaritas.com
(704)540-9447

Pizza

Pizza Hut
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 7
Pizza
yumfranchises.com
(866)298-6986

Papa John’s Int’l. Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 10
Pizza
papajohns.com
(502)261-7272

Domino’s Pizza LLC
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 41
Pizza, breadsticks, buffalo wings
dominos.com
(734)930-3030

Papa Murphy’s
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 51
Take-and-bake pizza
papamurphys.com
(360)260-7272

Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 93
Pizza, subs, salads
hungryhowies.com
(248)414-3300

Fox’s Pizza Den
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 208
Pizza, sandwiches, salads, wings
foxspizza.com
(724)733-7888

RedBrick Pizza
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 235
Fast-casual pizza restaurant
redbrickpizza.com
(661)722-5895

Marco’s Franchising LLC
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 236
Pizza & submarine sandwiches
marcos.com
(800)262-7267/(419)885-7000

The Pizza Ranch
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 305
Pizza, chicken, wraps
pizzaranch.com
(800)321-3401/(712)707-8800

Z Pizza
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 317
Pizza, salads, sandwiches,
calzones
zpizza.com
(800)230-5761

Pizza Factory Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 351
Pizza, pasta, sandwiches
pizzafactory.com
(800)654-4840/(559)683-3377

Donatos Pizza
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 372
Pizzas & sandwiches
donatos.com
(614)416-7772

Figaro’s Pizza
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 374
Baked pizza & take-and-bake pizza
figaros.com
(503)371-9318

Ledo Pizza System Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 378
Pizza, subs, pasta
ledopizza.com
(410)721-6887

Gatti’s Pizza
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 382
Pizza, pasta, salads, sandwiches
(800)635-8308

Mellow Mushroom
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 385
Pizza, calzones, hoagies, salads
mellowmushroom.com
(404)505-2806

Famous Famiglia
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 401
Pizza
famousfamiglia.com
(914)328-4444

Russo’s New York Pizzeria
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 462
Pizza, pasta, salads, sandwiches
nypizzeria.com
(832)251-0220

Salad Restaurants

Saladworks
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 272
Salads, soups, wraps, paninis
saladworks.com
(610)825-3080

Salad Creations Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 388
Salads, wraps, soups
saladcreations.net
(954)590-2467

Sandwiches

Subway
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 1
Submarine sandwiches & salads
subway.com
(800)888-4848/(203)877-4281

Arby’s
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 18
Sandwiches, chicken, salads
arbys.com
(678)514-4100

Quiznos Sub
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 50
Submarine sandwiches, soups, salads
quiznos.com
(720)359-3300

Jimmy John’s Gourmet
Sandwich Shops
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 53
Gourmet sandwiches
jimmyjohns.com
(800)546-6904

Firehouse Subs
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 90
Submarine sandwiches
firehousesubs.com
(904)886-8300

Charley’s Grilled Subs
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 132
Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, grilled subs, fries, salads
charleys.com
(800)437-8325/(614)923-4700

McAlister’s Deli
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 136
Southern-style upscale deli
mcalistersdeli.com
(888)855-3354

Pita Pit Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 157
Pita sandwiches
pitapitusa.com
(208)765-3326

Jersey Mike’s Subs
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 168
Submarine sandwiches & salads
jerseymikes.com
(732)223-4044

Schlotzsky’s
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 181
Sandwiches & pizza
schlotzskys.com
(404)255-3250

Lenny’s Sub Shop
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 183
Philly cheesesteak & sub
sandwiches
lennys.com
(901)753-4002

Extreme Pita
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 192
Pita wrap sandwiches
extremepita.com
(888)729-7482/(905)820-7887

Penn Station East Coast Subs
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 206
Specialty sandwiches
penn-station.com
(513)474-5957

Which Wich? Superior Sandwiches
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 258
Sandwiches, milkshakes, cookies
whichwich.com
(214)747-9424

The Great Steak & Potato Co.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 296
Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, fries, baked potatoes
kahalacorp.com
(480)362-4800

Blimpie
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 348
Submarine sandwiches & salads
kahalacorp.com
(480)362-4800

The Steak Escape
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 384
Grilled sandwiches, baked
potatoes, salads
steakescape.com
(614)224-0300

Spicy Pickle
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 395
Paninis, salads, subs, soups, pizzetti
spicypickle.com
(303)297-1902

Port of Subs
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 397
Submarine sandwiches & salads
portofsubs.com
(800)245-0245/(775)747-0555

Miscellaneous quick service

Long John Silver’s
Restaurants Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 32
Fish & chicken
yumfranchises.com
(866)298-6986

Hot Stuff Foods LLC
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 81
Fast-food systems for
nontraditional markets
hotstufffoods.com
(605)336-6961

Nathan’s Famous Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 166
Hot dogs, hamburgers, seafood, chicken, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches
nathansfamous.com
(516)338-8500

Blendz Franchise System Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 423
Salads, paninis, smoothies, soups
blendz.com
(866)425-3639