这些顶级公司支持特许经营s in 2023From banking to marketing to event planning, find out who to hire to help your business thrive.

Franchise suppliersare the unsung heroes of the franchise industry. You might know them as service providers, vendors, or partners — but whatever you call them, they're crucial to the success and growth of franchises. They help with financing, consulting, legal services, payment processing, public relations, marketing, and more.

And yet, when franchisors and franchisees set out to partner with a supplier, they often ask the same question:Which one do I work with?

To answer that — and to celebrate these essential members of the franchise industry — we've put together our annual ranking of franchise suppliers, recognizing 155 top service providers across 11 categories.

Related:Want to Own Many Businesses? These Are the Best 150 Franchises for Multi-Unit Owners.

To determine these rankings, we conduct an annual survey of franchisors. This year's survey received a record number of participants — more than 1,000 — ranging from newly formed franchise brands to some that have been around for decades. Participants told us which suppliers they and their franchisees work with and rated their satisfaction with those suppliers in the areas of quality, cost, and value. Based on the survey results, each supplier received a score, and the top-scoring suppliers are ranked within their respective categories.

This list offers a helpful starting point for franchisors and franchisees looking for the best suppliers to work with, but keep in mind the ranking is not intended as an endorsement of any particular company. Always do your research to find the partners that will be the best fit for your business and its needs. To learn more about these and other suppliers, check out our online directoryhere.

See the Top Companies That Support Franchises in 2023here.