When I tell someone that my business law practice focuses on franchising, I will at times get a blank stare. This is where I explain that franchising is a concept where a person licenses out their brand and business system to another person in order for that person to operate a similar business under the same name. If I am still getting a deer-in-the-headlights look, I will say, you know, like McDonald’s. Once the golden arches are mentioned everyone understands.

However, I was recently reading an online article from Entrepreneur Magazine about the top franchises[1]. The surprise I took away from this article was the fact that Subway outranked McDonalds on the list of America’s top 10 franchises and the top 10 international franchises.

I don’t know the exact ingredients that Subway has combined in order to make their franchise even more successful than the most well known franchise in the world. If I were to guess, I would not bank it on the popularity of Jared as a spokesperson, $5 footlongs, or the innovative and newest sandwich. Instead, I would guess that, in some way, Subway’s franchisees are making more money than McDonald’s franchisees.

Whenever I meet with a new startup franchisor, the number one thing I like to emphasize is that a successful franchise brand is one in which the franchisees are successful. There are other issues to consider for success, but a franchise system in which the franchisees have the ability to make money will grow. Successful franchisees will tell others about the franchise and franchise sellers and brokers will feel comfortable pushing the franchise brand over other brands.

Some other factors that go into the success of a franchise business include: having a teachable system in place; providing the proper amount of support to the franchisees; excellent training; creative branding; and good marketing. All of these things will help the franchise system grow. But when you really focus on these additional items, they all boil down to the same goal: helping the franchisee turn a profit.

So the next time you want to brainstorm about expanding your franchise business, first look to your system and see how you can help your franchisees increase their profits. This will help you increase the number of franchises in your system. Maybe one day your system will be even more recognizable than the golden arches.

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[1] http://www.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/222422