14. McDonald’s
2014 position: 14
Startup costs: $1M – 2M
McDonald’s is one of the most recognizable brands in the world and the only reason they aren’t placed higher on the list is because of their strict franchising contract, with 20 year renewable term, 45,000 franchise fee and required $750,000 cash in reserves. Still, Mickey D’s in 2014 alone opened more than 100 new franchise in the US and over 600 internationally. McDonald’s represents the closest thing to a guaranteed success as you can get in today’s business world.
