A franchise is most successful when it reaches a wide variety of communities—and to do that best, it needs to bring a diversity of voices and experiences into its franchisee and corporate-level ranks. That’s why, for the third year, we’ve chosen the 100 franchises that we think are doing the most to expand opportunities for all.
Typically, our franchise lists are created by gathering and crunching a lot of data, and then ranking brands based on the results. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts can be difficult to quantify, so we’ve chosen the companies on this list editorially, and they’re listed alphabetically instead of ranked. To determine which brands to include, we considered a number of factors, including: any incentives offered to franchisees from underrepresented groups; diversity among franchisees; diversity within the leadership team; and other company initiatives or programs related to DEI. We also asked leaders from each company why their brand values DEI and what specific ways they have found to promote and support it. You’ll find a sampling of their answers on the following pages.
If DEI is important to you, this list can be a great starting point for finding a franchise company that aligns with your mindset. But keep in mind that the list is not intended as a recommendation of any particular company, and it’s important to do your own homework before investing in any franchise opportunity. That means reading the company’s legal documents, consulting with an attorney and an accountant, and talking to current and former franchisees about their experiences.
WE ASKED/
Why is diversity, equity, and inclusion important to your company?
THREE ANSWERS/
“Our franchisees serve diverse consumers and communities, spanning various demographics, cultures, and backgrounds. By promoting diversity within our support team and franchise community, we ensure that we
