Hampton by Hilton #1 Hotel Franchise on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 17th Year | News
Hilton today announced that Hampton by Hilton has been ranked as the No. 1 hotel franchise on the Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for the 17th year in a row, extending the brand’s all-time record at the top of the Lodging category. Hampton by Hilton also ranks 8th overall brand on the Franchise 500® – up one spot from 9th in 2025 – marking its 11th year in the top ten.
Hampton by Hilton is a leader across Hilton’s world-class portfolio, with a dozen brands recognized in this year’s rankings for their performance and franchise value. These brands include DoubleTree by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Curio Collection by Hilton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Spark by Hilton and Canopy by Hilton.
“This recognition highlights the strength of Hilton’s brands and the people and partners who make them exceptional,” said Chris Silcock, president, global brands and commercial services, Hilton. “Our success comes from a shared commitment to creating great experiences for guests and strong outcomes for our owners. As we look ahead, we will continue to evolve our brands and invest in what matters most, delivering stays that inspire trust and value across every part of the Hilton portfolio.”
Hampton by Hilton: Defining Leadership in Hospitality
As the industry’s most recognized upper midmarket brand, Hampton by Hilton continues to define its category with more than 3,100 hotels in 46 countries and territories. Hampton’s robust development pipeline makes it the world’s leading upper-midscale hotel brand.
Hampton succeeds by being where travelers want to stay, powered by a flexible, cost-efficient prototype and a proven investment model that supports expansion with consistent quality and value. In the past year, Hampton has brought its signature offerings – including a free hot breakfast with The Hampton Waffle, enhanced sleep experiences and warm, friendly service, all backed by the 100% Hampton Guarantee™ – to new countries and territories, including South Africa, Morocco, Georgia and St. Thomas in the Caribbean. The brand also celebrated the opening of its largest European property in Manchester, England.
“Seventeen years at the top is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to Hampton’s position as a truly powerful brand that consistently delivers strong returns for owners and outstanding stay experiences for guests,” said Shruti Gandhi Buckley, senior vice president and brand leader of Hampton by Hilton. “This success reflects the passion our team members and franchise partners show every day as they bring Hamptonality, the brand’s signature service experience, to life. Their commitment strengthens traveler loyalty and drives strong performance for our owners.”
Hilton celebrates continued industry leadership in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500®
Now in its 47th year, Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500® remains the most comprehensive franchise ranking in the industry. Brands are judged based on unit growth, financial strength and stability, brand strength and franchisee support. This achievement underlines Hilton’s reputation as one of the most trusted names in the hospitality industry and a preferred choice for hotel owners and developers worldwide.
The complete list of Hilton brands ranked in the 2026 Franchise 500 includes:
– Hampton by Hilton at number 8
– DoubleTree by Hilton Ranked #26
– Home2 Suites by Hilton Ranked #34
– Homewood Suites by Hilton Ranked #38
– Hilton Garden Inn Ranked #42
– Tapestry Collection by Hilton Ranked #59
– Tru by Hilton Ranked #62
– Embassy Suites by Hilton at number 88
– Hilton Hotels and Resorts at number 115
– Spark by Hilton Ranked #170
– Curio Collection by Hilton Ranked #223
– Canopy by Hilton Ranked #321
Hilton’s success reflects the strength of its global scale and proven performance engine that delivers strong results for franchise owners. A key benefit for owners is the power of the award-winning Hilton Honors loyalty program, which consistently drives high-quality, repeat guests to Hilton’s portfolio of 26 brands worldwide. By leveraging this powerful ecosystem, franchise owners benefit from increased demand, stronger occupancy and long-term guest loyalty, strengthening Hilton’s position as a partner of choice for owners and developers.
Visit Hilton to view the full rankings entrepreneur.com/franchise500. The results can also be seen in the January 2026 issue Entrepreneuravailable at newsstands.
Read more about Hilton’s portfolio of brands at stories.hilton.com.
