The Franchise Times recently released its “Fast & Serious” list for 2026. According to the publication, this list ranks the “fast-growing franchise systems that also have staying power, as an antidote to multiple other rankings that include too many one-year wonders.” Here are some insights on the list from national franchise lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein.
Selection Criteria for the Franchise Times’ “Fast & Serious” List
According to the Franchise Times, the franchise systems considered for inclusion on the “Fast & Serious” list were those that made the publication’s Franchise Times Top 400 last year. As the publication explains, in creating the list, it “identified the companies that submitted information for all three years for that project, then selected for analysis those with systemwide sales above $40 million.”
The Franchise Times also states that its “Fast & Serious” list is based on a “proprietary 10-point formula.” It provides examples of these 10 points, but not a complete list. Those disclosed on the publication’s website are:
- Percentage sales growth
- Dollar sales growth
- Numerical unit growth over the past three years
Beyond this, the publication does not provide much insight into its selection or ranking criteria, although the individual pages highlighting the franchise systems included on the list emphasize sales growth percentage and unit growth percentage as key differentiating factors. With this in mind, while the “Fast & Serious” list may be interesting and somewhat informative, a franchise system’s inclusion (or exclusion) should not be the sole driving force behind prospective franchisees’ buying decisions.
It is also important to keep in mind that while a franchise concept may have done well over the past few years, this does not necessarily mean it will do so in the future. Whether a franchise has “staying power” depends not so much on its recent growth, but instead on its viability going forward. This requires a critical assessment of factors, including:
- The strength, value, and protectability of the franchisor’s brand
- The capabilities of the franchisor’s leadership team
- The franchisor’s financial standing
- The franchisor’s litigation risk (or ongoing litigation)
- The overall quality of the franchise system
- The market for the franchisor’s products or services
- Overall economic conditions (especially for franchises that sell non-essential products or services)
These are just examples. In short, while past growth might suggest future “staying power,” this is far from guaranteed. Prospective franchisees who are considering fast-growing franchise systems need to keep this in mind, and they need to make informed buying decisions based on a comprehensive assessment of all relevant facts, circumstances, and projections.
Should You Consider a Franchise Opportunity on the “Fast & Serious” List?
With all of this in mind, should you consider a franchise opportunity included on the Franchise Times’ “Fast & Serious” list for 2026?
As we have discussed above, inclusion on this list—or any list—is just one data point to consider. All of these types of lists have limitations, and some are more informative than others. It is also worth noting that, since the franchise systems included on the “Fast & Serious” list were selected from those that self-submitted for inclusion in the Franchise Times Top 400 each of the past three years, the list may exclude systems that would otherwise qualify.
While recent system-wide growth can be indicative of an upward trajectory—at least in the short term—this does not necessarily mean that individual franchisees will experience (or have experienced) similar growth. With this in mind, when doing your due diligence as a prospective franchisee, a key step is to speak with numerous current and former franchisees. Has their experience been positive? If so, why? If not, why not? How similar is your experience likely to be to theirs?
Location and territory are important considerations as well. The location of your franchise can have a huge impact on its profit potential. Even if a franchised brand has gained recognition nationally, if it isn’t well-known and trusted in your area, you may struggle to build a loyal customer base. Conversely, if a franchise system has grown so quickly that there are only undesirable locations left in your area, you will need to carefully consider whether you are willing to take the risk of investing.
Similarly, when franchisors are in growth mode, they will often offer only limited territorial protections (if any) to their franchisees. If you can invest in a great location now, but there is no guarantee that you will be the only franchisee in your area in the future, this is another significant risk that you will need to carefully consider. While some franchisors focus on helping their franchisees find success, others rely on competition among their franchisees to identify the strongest. If you don’t have a protected territory, you will be at risk of intra-brand competition from other franchisees (or even the franchisor)—which could significantly impair your chances of success.
Here, too, these are just examples.
From speaking with current and former franchisees to thoroughly reviewing the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement, there are several steps involved in making an informed buying decision. For more information, we encourage you to read: 10 Key Considerations for Due Diligence in Purchasing a Franchise.
Schedule a Free Initial Consultation with National Franchise Lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein
Goldstein Law Firm is a national franchise law firm that exclusively represents prospective, current, and former franchisees. For prospective franchisees, we offer several fixed-fee franchise business review programs. To discuss your franchise opportunity with national franchise lawyer Jeffrey M. Goldstein in confidence, give us a call at 202-293-3947 or tell us how we can reach you online today.
This article is provided for informational purposes only. Goldstein Law Firm does not recommend or endorse any third-party publications or individual franchise opportunities. All prospective franchisees need to make informed buying decisions based on a comprehensive assessment of the legal and financial risks that each individual franchise opportunity presents.
