--- title: "2024 Dominators" url: https://burnaze.com/article/8408e2ab-e941-4935-bb79-eeaa5c8ea22d source: "Franchising.com" original_url: https://www.franchising.com/articles/2024_dominators.html author: "Ambika Oberoi" category: "Franchise Industry" industry: "Franchise Industry" published: 2024-12-20T07:00:00.000Z modified: 2026-11-01T22:33:32.772Z image: https://imgs.franchising.com/art/articles/9059_plate.jpg --- # 2024 Dominators **TL;DR:** The U.S. franchising landscape has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade, marked by a notable increase in multi-unit franchisee ownership, with approximately 42,891 multi-unit operators collectively managing 241,380 units. Despite industry growth, challenges have emerged, particularly in the QSR sector, with major multi-unit operators facing financial difficulties due to rising labor and ingredient costs, stagnant foot traffic, and high interest rates. *By Ambika Oberoi, originally published in Franchising.com on 2024-12-20. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/articles/2024_dominators.html).* ## Story The U.S. franchising landscape has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade, marked by a notable increase in multi-unit franchisee ownership. Recent data from our franchisee database reveals that there are approximately 42,891 multi-unit operators (MUOs) in the country, collectively managing 241,380 units. MUOs now control 56% of all franchised units, highlighting their growing influence within the industry. On average, an MUO today owns 5.5 franchised units, up from 4.9 units a decade ago, reflecting a steady annualized growth rate of 1.1%. Ownership dynamics have also shifted with franchise transfers increasing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% over the past decade. This trend points to an active and fluid market as franchisees buy and sell existing units more frequently than in the past. Despite the industry’s growth, challenges have emerged, particularly in the QSR sector. Major multi-unit operators of brands like Burger King, Popeyes, McDonald’s, and Wendy’s have faced financial difficulties with some filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Contributing factors include rising labor and ingredient costs, stagnant foot traffic, and high interest rates. Moreover, the shift away from city centers due to remote work has impacted sales, especially for locations reliant on office workers and downtown traffic. Despite these obstacles, large MUOs continue to pursue growth. For example, Tacala LLC, the largest Taco Bell franchisee, recently secured a major investment led by Altamont Capital Partners and other partners, providing the capital needed for further expansion in both the Taco Bell system and new ventures like 7 Brew Drive-thru Coffee stands. These trends illustrate a franchising market in transition. With a greater concentration of multi-unit operators and a rising pace of ownership transfers, the industry is evolving toward a structure favoring scale and consolidation. While economic pressures persist, large operators remain focused on growth, showcasing resilience and adaptability as they navigate an ever-changing landscape. Ambika Oberoi is director of information management at FRANdata . NISTAZOS AND SONS/FRANCHISE MANAGEMENT SERVICES SUMMIT RESTAURANT GROUP (NEIGHBORHOOD HOSPITALITY/ARGONNE CAPITAL) COUTO MANAGEMENT GROUP/DARTMOUTH MANAGEMENT GROUP/CAPE MANAGEMENT TEAM TEAM SCHOSTAK FAMILY RESTAURANTS (TSFR APPLE VENTURE) THE BRIAD GROUP (BRIAD RESTAURANT & LODGING GROUP) RRD FINANCIAL SERVICES/STUDLE FINANCIAL SERVICES WASHINGTON-ARLINGTON-ALEXANDRIA, DC-VA-MD-WV PHILADELPHIA-CAMDEN-WILMINGTON, PA-NJ-DE-MD VIRGINIA BEACH-NORFOLK-NEWPORT NEWS, VA-NC LITTLE ROCK-NORTH LITTLE ROCK-CONWAY, AR MYRTLE BEACH-CONWAY-NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC-NC ALVARADO RESTAURANT NATION/ALARADO HOLDINGS/PALO ALTO (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, IA, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA) WENDYS OF COLORADO SPRING/HOLLAND BUERK ENTERPRISES - Get Started in Franchising - Franchise Rankings & Awards - Franchise Sales & Development - Featured Franchise Stories Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine: Issue 4, 2024 Franchising.com is produced by Franchise Update Media. Franchise Update Media has its finger on the pulse of franchising with unrivalled audience intelligence and market driven data. No media company understands the franchise landscape deeper than Franchise Update Media. 1201 New York Avenue NW, Suite 300A Washington, DC 20005 PH. (408) 402-5681 - Franchisee Financing & Lending - Site Selection & Real Estate - Supply Chain & Procurement - Annual Franchise Development Report - Multi-Unit Franchising Conference - Franchise Growth & Marketing Conference - Franchise Leadership & Development Conference - Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine - Franchise Update Magazine - Franchise Update Franchisor Report - Franchising Express Report - International Franchise Report - Multi-Unit Franchisee Report The multi-unit franchise opportunities listed above are not related to or endorsed by Multi-Unit Franchisee or Franchise Update Media Group. We are not engaged in, supporting, or endorsing any specific franchise, business opportunity, company or individual. No statement in this site is to be construed as a recommendation. We encourage prospective franchise buyers to perform extensive due diligence when considering a franchise opportunity. ## Entities - Franchising.com (publication) - Franchise Industry (sector) - McDonald's (company) - Taco Bell (company) - Wendy's (company) - Burger King (company) - Popeyes (company) - multi-unit franchisee (topic) - FRANdata (company) - industry growth (topic) - 7 Brew (company) - qsr sector (topic) --- Originally reported by Ambika Oberoi, Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/articles/2024_dominators.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/8408e2ab-e941-4935-bb79-eeaa5c8ea22d).