From 3,500 franchise brands Forbes magazine has ranked the top 20 US franchises that it estimates offers buyers the best return on investment.

Forbes compared four variables that are consistent across franchise disclosure documents: estimated minimum initial investment (including initial fees plus equipment costs); total locations (we wanted at least 50, and more was better); survival rates (measured as the percentage of closings during the previous three-year period to the total number of existing locations–the lower the percentage, the better); and the number of training hours offered to new franchisees measured against the startup costs (the more support, the more comfortable we felt).  Forbes

Here is a detailed list (pdf) of the winners from researcher Rob Bonds. Each winner has a link to a slide on Forbes.

1. Domino’s Pizza
2. 7-Eleven
3. Kumon North America
4. McDonalds USA
5. Papa Murphy’s International
6. Merry Maids
7. Great Clips
8. Sport Clips
9. Edible Arrangements International
10. Jimmy John’s
11. Liberty Tax Service
12. Papa John’s International
13. Jiffy Lube International
14. Panera
15. Maaco
16. AAMCO Transmissions
17. Burger King
18. Dunkin Donuts
19. Sylvan Learning
20. Meineke Car Care Centers

Do you have bad or positive experiences with any franchise on this list? Email me [Maureen Farrell] at mfarrell@forbes.com