Cold Stone Creamery, Dunkin’ Donuts, Pinkberry and Harley Davidson are franchisors highlighted by the crack team at Dow Jones Investment Banker (DJIB) as likely candidates for a possible initial public offering in 2010. Here's why.

• Cold Stone Creamery. The driver on this deal, according to DJIB: “Kahala is likely to take the company public while there’s still growth left in the business. An alternative would be a sale to Tim Hortons, which, with its $5.2 billion market cap and insignificant debt, could easily digest Cold Stone.”

• Dunkin’ Brands. DJIB says, “Recent moves to strengthen the executive team by adding General Counsel, Global Customer, Marketing, HR and Communications officers suggest that Dunkin’s owners are planning an IPO this year. There are rumors of interest from McDonald’s, which may allow the quick service giant to add Dunkin’ to its menu.”

• Pinkberry. DJIB says, “In less than five years, Pinkberry has established a dominant position in frozen dessert yoghurt. The company raised $28 million in series A funding through Maveron Capital, the VC firm founded by Starbucks’ Howard Schultz… Its global expansion make it an alluring IPO candidate in the near future.”

• Harley Davidson. DJIB says, “The key factor would be Harley’s ability to maintain adequate liquidity for continuing operations and to control loan delinquencies from sales funding.  An acquirer would also need to perceive value in growing this highest-of-profile motorcycle brands. There is growth potential for the two luxury brands among the middle classes of China, India and other rapidly growing economies.”

These four franchising firms that are among Dow Jones’ top 10 deal predictions. Dow Jones editorial team says that there are “significant reserves of uninvested capital at private equity firms".” They apparently are hungry for a deal.