Franchise Direct Publishes Its Widely Anticipated Top 100 Global Franchises Report for 2015

ATLANTA, GA--(Marketwired - Feb 24, 2015) - The Top 100 Global Franchises is the only credible, research-based, authentic ranking of the world's top 100 franchises. This annual industry benchmark is one of the leading franchise ranking reports, having been frequently quoted by industry professionals for its impartial and accurate findings. Franchise Direct has been providing the Top 100 Global Franchises list since 2009, making this the seventh annual edition.

The ranking is based on a methodology that considers a host of factors including financial performance and corporate citizenship. The Top 100, ranked according to objective and measurable criteria, have been selected from thousands of franchises that have invested in international expansion programs. They all share a defined identity, a clear business plan, a strong commitment to training and support, implementation of best practice, an ability to innovate and sensitivity to cultural and environmental issues.

Top franchises on this year's list are Subway, which retained the number 1 spot, followed by McDonald's in second and KFC third. New in the top 10 this year is French retail giant Groupe Casino taking tenth place. Many industries were represented, including the hotel, food, convenience store, automotive, gym and real estate industries.

The criteria used to select the Top 100 out of thousands of possible candidates include quantifying the system size in terms of the number of units, analyzing system sales revenue, assessing stability and growth, the number of years in operation and overall market expansion.

Each year, the list features the most promising and successful franchise companies in the world. Franchise Direct believes it and the accompanying report are useful resources for US companies seeking expansion opportunities in global markets, either general or specific. In addition, this year's report contains an exclusive interview with Top 100 newcomer Sport Clips' Vice President of Franchising, Pete Lindsey, who discusses the company's foray into international markets.

To view this year's ranking and read the report, please visit the Top 100 Global Franchises page.

About Franchise Direct:
Franchise Direct is the world's leading franchise portal, operating 13 franchise websites across 5 continents. The goal of Franchise Direct is to provide a platform for reliable information for entrepreneurs and investors.