Entrepreneur

EDITOR IN CHIEF Jason Feifer CREATIVE DIRECTOR Paul Scirecalabrisotto DEPUTY EDITOR Frances Dodds PHOTO DIRECTOR Judith Puckett-Rinella MANAGING EDITOR Monica Im SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR Tracy Stapp Herold COPY CHIEF Jessica Levy RESEARCH Andre Carter

Putting his stamp of approval on investing in Japan, billionaire Warren Buffet labelled his firm’s substantial investments in Japan over the past three years as “revelatory” and “exceeding expectations”. Since Buffett announced his largest bet outsid

Synonymous with tradition, excellence in craftsmanship, and time-honored design practices, Japan’s textile industry is one of the top global players in high-end fashion, with a projected market size of USD 13.9 billion in 2023, according to Statista.

In the second quarter of 2023, Japan’s economy surpassed its pre-pandemic peak, underscoring the country’s robust recovery from the global recession. A recent commentary by the global professional services company Deloitte noted that the external sec

Japan’s economic landscape boasts a record current account surplus of JPY 12.71 trillion in the first half of FY23, alongside a significant fifteenfold increase in the travel surplus to JPY 1.65 trillion. Driven by substantial foreign investment and

With continuous investments from international investors, robust corporate earnings, and long-awaited inflation, Japan’s TOPIX index reached a 33-year milestone on September 1, 2023, when it hit 2352.58, breaking a record set back in July 1990. Impre

According to the IMF, Japan is anticipated to be one of the fastest-growing economies in the advanced economies in 2023 and 2024. Encouragingly, global investors and multinationals are increasingly acknowledging Japan’s economic potential, exemplifie

Fueled by a sustained growth trajectory and a decade-long transformation in corporate governance, the remarkable ascent of Japanese stocks in 2023 is poised for long-term continuation, according to JP Morgan. One of Japan’s most notable recent transf

Japan’s education system ranks among the top ten globally, according to the World Population Review, serving as a global role model for countries with declining populations in developing future generations. Since 2014, the government has focused on g

Highlighting Japan’s robust structural foundations, its impressive growth trajectory, and a narrowing fiscal deficit, Fitch, the ratings agency, reaf firmed the nation’s esteemed investment-grade ‘A’ rating in October 2023, maintaining a stable outlo

In the heart of Japan’s resurging economy, a digital transformation wave is sweeping across businesses, promising remarkable growth. Japan’s government is steering this wave with a nationwide digital transformation (DX) strategy, projected to add a s

As the world’s third-largest economy, Japan not only stands as an economic powerhouse with a GDP of 4.23 trillion USD, as cited by the World Bank, but also boasts a vast consumer base. In this prosperous and eco-conscious nation, the value of the reu

’Designing future society for our lives’ – the slogan of next year’s World Expo, which is being held in Osaka, is also the co-creative vision driving Japan’s top businesses to solve its most urgent social issues. According to a recent Bloomberg Globa

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Japan’s economy is poised to sustain its expansion in 2024, driven by a convergence of positive trends. These encompass the alleviation of inflation, a resurgence in inbound tourism, and a heightene

Japan’s economy has exceeded analyst expectations, achieving a remarkable 6% annualized growth rate in the second quarter of 2023, resulting in a GDP of $3.85 trillion, its highest-ever level. The impressive growth was primarily driven by net exports

Small- and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of Japan’s economy, accounting for 99.7% of all enterprises and numbering over 3.5 million, as reported by the OECD. These businesses prioritize fostering human capital, technological advances, sust

After registering extraordinary economic growth of 8.7% in the year 2022, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Firmly establishing its status as the fastest - growing economy within the G20, as attested by the OECD, owing to the strong and robust performance of i

The Arab world’s largest economy by some measure, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is distinguished by rich natural resources, a prime geographical location at the nexus of three continents, and a private sector creating new opportunities at an unpreceden

Entrepreneur published its first Franchise 500 ranking in 1980. That became a magical year for franchises—because today, in this year’s ranking, 419 of the 500 companies on our list started franchising in 1980 or after. What does this statistic tell

Ellie wasn’t on our list last year. Now it’s No. 307. Shortly after Ellie Mental Health started franchising in 2021, the company hosted its first discovery day at its very first clinic in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Four potential franchisees showed up. T

Zoom Room was No. 464 on our list last year. Now it’s No. 275. Zoom Room expected to have 45 total locations open by the end of 2023. It hit more than 60. That growth caps an incredible turnaround story. Zoom Room’s past troubles are notorious. Short

Superior was No. 346 on our list last year. Now it’s No. 179. Early in the pandemic, Zach Peyton, president of Superior Fence & Rail, met with Franchise FastLane, a firm that helps increase franchise sales. Peyton wanted to recruit new franchisees, b

Mister Sparky went from No. 475 last year to No. 315. One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning went from No. 455 to No. 282. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing went from not ranking to No. 286. Trade companies are hot, and if you need proof, just follow the trail

DonutNV didn’t rank last year. Now it’s No. 298. DonutNV is known for its hot mini doughnuts. It is not especially known for the trailers it produces at its 31,000-square-foot factory in Georgia. But those trailers have become the key to its business

What’s it like being a franchisee? Bart Bess is a good guy to ask—because he’s on his way out, but also on his way in. Bess once owned more than 100 retail outlets of a cell phone brand. Then he opened four clinics with QC Kinetix, a franchise that o

This year marks the 45th annual Franchise 500—still the world’s first, best, and most comprehensive franchise ranking. If you’re looking to buy a franchise, this is your definitive guide. If you’re a franchisor, this is where your hard work is recogn

→ Franchise fee → Total investment → Royalty fees → Open and operating units → Growth rate → Closures → Training times → Marketing support → Operational support → Franchisor infrastructure → Financing availability → Litigation → Social media → System

This shows how long a company has been in business and how long it has been franchising. Both are good to know when you’re trying to decide whether you should go with an established system or a newer concept. Check out these columns if you want to kn