MCLEAN, Va. – Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has announced that Hampton by Hilton has once again been ranked the No. 1 hotel franchise on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500®, marking an unprecedented 17th consecutive year at the top of the Lodging category.
Hampton by Hilton also secured the No. 8 overall position on the Franchise 500® list for 2026, moving up from No. 9 in 2025 and achieving its 11th year in the top ten overall. The results further underscore Hilton’s leadership in franchising, with 12 Hilton brands recognized among the world’s best-performing franchises.
Strong Portfolio Performance Across Hilton Brands
In addition to Hampton by Hilton, the following Hilton brands were featured in the 2026 Entrepreneur Franchise 500® rankings, reflecting the company’s global scale and franchise strength:
- Hampton by Hilton – #8 overall
- DoubleTree by Hilton – #26
- Home2 Suites by Hilton – #34
- Homewood Suites by Hilton – #38
- Hilton Garden Inn – #42
- Tapestry Collection by Hilton – #59
- Tru by Hilton – #62
- Embassy Suites by Hilton – #88
- Hilton Hotels & Resorts – #115
- Spark by Hilton – #170
- Curio Collection by Hilton – #223
- Canopy by Hilton – #321
“These rankings highlight the strength of Hilton’s brands and the deep partnerships we share with our owners,” said Chris Silcock, President, Global Brands and Commercial Services, Hilton. “Our continued success comes from delivering trusted guest experiences while driving strong performance for franchise partners worldwide.”
Hampton by Hilton: A Category-Defining Brand
Hampton by Hilton remains the world’s leading upper-midscale hotel brand, with more than 3,100 hotels across 46 countries and territories and a robust global development pipeline. The brand’s success is driven by its flexible, cost-efficient prototype, consistent guest experience, and proven investment model.
Over the past year, Hampton expanded into new markets including South Africa, Morocco, Georgia, and St. Thomas in the Caribbean, and celebrated the opening of its largest European property in Manchester, England. Signature offerings such as complimentary hot breakfast featuring The Hampton Waffle, elevated sleep experiences, friendly service, and the 100% Hampton Guarantee™ continue to resonate strongly with travelers.
“Seventeen years at the top is an extraordinary milestone,” said Shruti Gandhi Buckley, Senior Vice President and Brand Leader, Hampton by Hilton. “It reflects the passion of our team members and franchise partners who bring Hamptonality to life every day, strengthening guest loyalty and delivering strong returns for owners.”
Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500®: A Trusted Benchmark
Now in its 47th year, Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500® is regarded as the most comprehensive franchise ranking globally. Brands are evaluated on unit growth, financial strength and stability, brand power, and franchisee support, reinforcing Hilton’s reputation as a preferred partner for hotel owners and developers.
Hilton’s continued success is also supported by the award-winning Hilton Honors loyalty program, which drives high-value repeat guests across Hilton’s 26 global brands, boosting occupancy and long-term performance for franchise owners.
Learn More
- Full Franchise 500® rankings: https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500
- Hilton brand portfolio: https://stories.hilton.com
- Hampton by Hilton: https://www.hilton.com/en/brands/hampton-by-hilton
- Hilton Honors loyalty program: https://www.hilton.com/en/hilton-honors
The full rankings can also be found in the January 2026 issue of Entrepreneur Magazine, available on newsstands.
