Top 10 Most Renowned Franchise Brands Worldwide

KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) is a globally recognized fast food brand. It revolutionized the fast food industry with its fried chicken, breaking the dominance of hamburgers. In 1940, KFC became famous for its 'Original Recipe' featuring a secret blend of 11 herbs and spices. KFC is best known for fried chicken, chicken wings, chicken sandwiches, french fries, and many other menu items. The brand offers a unique flavor created with a blend of moist food and special seasonings. Over time, KFC has expanded its menu to include non-chicken items such as fish sandwiches, grilled burgers, and salads.

With 20,000 KFC outlets across 109 countries and territories worldwide, the brand has achieved remarkable growth. In Vietnam, KFC's first restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City opened in 1997. Today, there are more than 20,000 KFC restaurants globally.

Website: https://global.kfc.com/

Pizza Hut started as a small restaurant founded by brothers Dan and Frank Carney in Kansas in 1958. Over the years, it grew into a global franchise brand managed by Yum! Brands. Today, Pizza Hut has more than 6,000 locations in the U.S. and over 16,000 outlets across more than 100 countries worldwide.

Pizza Hut is renowned for its diverse range of pizzas, from classic cheese pizza to specialty varieties with various toppings and fillings. In addition to pizzas, they offer other products such as pasta, salads, chicken wings, desserts, and more.

Pizza Hut made its debut in Vietnam in 2007, quickly becoming a favorite among locals. Today, Pizza Hut has over 100 locations across Vietnam, receiving positive feedback from customers for both the food quality and the service style.

Website: https://pizzahut.vn/

Founded in 1951 in Texas, USA, Circle K has grown into one of the most reputable and globally recognized convenience store brands, known for its high-quality products and excellent customer service. The company now operates over 16,000 stores, including 14,800 company-owned locations in the United States, Canada, Denmark, Norway, and Eastern Europe, and 2,380 franchised stores in countries like Cambodia, China, Greece, Vietnam, and more.

Circle K offers a wide range of products and services, including quick meals, beverages, packaged foods, and other essentials. They also provide services such as money transfers, mobile phone card sales, and delivery services.

As the first international convenience store chain in Vietnam, Circle K opened its first store on December 20, 2008. Today, Circle K has nearly 400 locations in major cities such as Hanoi, Ha Long, Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau, and Can Tho, with plans for further expansion to meet the growing demands of customers nationwide.

Website: https://www.circlek.com/

The predecessor of Burger King was Insta-Burger King, founded by Matthew Burns and Keith J. Kramer in Florida, USA, in 1953. The Insta-Broiler cooking method produced perfectly flavored patties.

Burger King is now the largest fast food chain in the world. Every day, over 11 million customers visit Burger King restaurants worldwide to enjoy high-quality food, excellent flavors, and affordable prices. Currently, Burger King operates in over 100 countries. The brand has a significant influence on global street food culture, with restaurants in countries like Japan, the USA, and South Korea maintaining steady customer traffic.

In Vietnam, Burger King partnered with Cánh Diều Xanh Food and Beverage Services Co., Ltd. (a subsidiary of Imexpan Pacific Group) as the official franchisee. The Burger King franchise offers business opportunities for those interested in the fast food industry, leveraging the brand's name and successful operational system.

Website: https://burgerking.vn/

Domino's Pizza was founded by Tom Monaghan on June 10, 1960. After over 50 years of growth, Domino's Pizza has become a global leader in pizza delivery, with more than 11,000 locations in over 75 countries. Each Domino's pizza crust is hand-tossed using fresh dough, not frozen, topped with freshly made tomato sauce, 100% imported Mozzarella cheese, and high-quality toppings.

Franchisees are required to adhere to Domino's Pizza's strict quality standards and processes, ensuring that both products and services meet the brand's expectations. This consistency guarantees that customers worldwide experience the same high-quality product and service at any Domino's Pizza store. Today, Domino's has become the gold standard in the pizza industry. The brand is also present in Vietnam, with locations in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Website: https://www.dominos.com.au/

Ace Hardware is one of the largest global retailers of hardware, home improvement supplies, and tools, headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, USA. Founded in 1924 as 'Ace Store', the company continued to expand and officially rebranded as Ace Hardware Corporation in 1931.

Ace Hardware operates in over 70 countries worldwide, managing 17 distribution centers in the U.S. along with additional facilities in China, Panama, and the UAE. The company opened its first Ace Home Center store in Ho Chi Minh City on November 22, 2019. Ace's business model typically includes both independently owned and franchised stores.

Franchise stores are owned and operated by individuals or organizations, but they receive consistent support from the Ace Hardware brand to ensure uniform products and services across the network. Ace Hardware is one of the leading franchise brands in its industry, offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to start a business in the tool and construction sector.

Website: https://www.acehardware.com/

Founded in 1971, Century21 is the largest real estate brokerage company in the world, known for offering training, management, administrative support, and marketing services to all its members. The brand was created to deliver professional real estate transactions while understanding and meeting customer service needs.

Century21 is one of the largest real estate franchise organizations, with more than 14,000 independently owned and operated franchised offices in 86 countries and territories worldwide. The business model typically includes both company-owned offices and franchise locations. The company-owned offices are managed and owned by individuals or companies, while the franchised Century21 offices are run by local investors or entrepreneurs, who receive support and guidelines from the Century21 brand.

Website: https://www.c21stores.com/

7-Eleven is a well-known global franchise brand in the convenience store industry, offering a wide range of food, beverages, and alcohol. With over 70 years of operation, 7-Eleven has become one of the most accessible and customer-friendly retail brands worldwide.

7-Eleven franchises and earns fees based on the performance of each store, providing adequate financial support to its franchisees through a commission-based model. The first 7-Eleven store in Vietnam opened in 2017, making the country the 19th to join the world’s largest convenience store network.

7-Eleven’s presence in Vietnam is managed through exclusive franchising with Seven System Vietnam (SSV). The brand is also known for its 24/7 business model, which allows customers to shop and access services at any time of day or night. With thousands of stores across the globe, 7-Eleven continues to expand its reach.

Website: https://info.7-eleven.vn/

Subway is one of the world’s most famous fast-food chains, generating billions of dollars annually, even surpassing McDonald's in terms of scale. Subway’s intelligent franchise model has been a key factor in its global success.

Currently, Subway operates in over 111 countries, offering a variety of menu items such as pizza, sandwiches, and salads. The brand emphasizes healthy eating, with options that help customers maintain or lose weight—Jared Fogle’s weight loss journey is a notable example. Subway is known for its customizable ‘Build-Your-Own’ model, where customers can choose from a range of bread, meats, fresh veggies, sauces, and seasonings to create their own personalized sandwich.

Subway has grown into one of the fastest-growing fast food chains globally. In addition to sandwiches, Subway also offers wraps, salads, and pizza. The company continues to prioritize healthy eating options, fresh ingredients, and environmental sustainability.

Website: https://www.subway.com/en-VN

McDonald’s is one of the largest and most profitable fast-food franchises worldwide. To become a McDonald’s franchisee, an investor must have a minimum working capital of $750,000.

Present in over 119 countries, including Vietnam, with 35,000 restaurants globally, McDonald’s serves more than 70 million customers every day. The brand ensures it delivers safe, delicious meals while providing excellent customer service. Today, McDonald’s is one of the most recognizable fast-food brands in the world and remains hugely popular with consumers everywhere.

Known for its iconic products such as hamburgers, cheeseburgers, McNuggets, and the Big Mac sandwich, McDonald’s also offers region-specific items like McFlurry, Egg McMuffin, and Happy Meals for kids. Additionally, McDonald’s caters to a wide variety of dietary preferences with a menu that includes meat, fish, tofu, salads, and vegetarian sandwiches.

Website: https://www.mcdonalds.vn/