Retail Leader Remains the Highest-Ranked Hardware Brand on the Annual List

OAK BROOK, Ill., Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ace Hardware, the world’s largest hardware cooperative, has earned the No. 6 ranking on the Franchise Times Top 400 list. The annual ranking evaluates the largest U.S.-based franchise systems by global systemwide sales. Ace remains the highest-ranked hardware brand on the list.

Ace Hardware’s strong performance and continued growth helped secure its place among the world’s largest franchise systems. In 2025, Ace generated $24 billion in retail sales. Over the past five years, Ace continued expanding its global store network, opening more than 1,100 new stores worldwide. Ace ranked behind McDonald’s, 7-Eleven, KFC, Burger King and Chick-fil-A.

“Ace is proud to once again be recognized by Franchise Times as one of the largest franchise systems in the world and the only hardware brand in the top 10 on this respected list,” said Andy Schmitt, Vice President of Retail Operations and New Business at Ace Hardware. “This honor reflects the strength of our local store owners and their commitment to serving their communities with helpful service every day.”

Ace Hardware operates as a retailer-owned cooperative, where independent owners both operate their stores and hold ownership in the cooperative itself. While Ace shares similarities with traditional franchise systems, its structure is unique. Store owners are shareholders who benefit from annual profits distributed back to them as a patronage dividend. In 2025, Ace distributed $392 million in patronage dividends. Unlike traditional franchise models, Ace store owners pay no royalty or ongoing franchise fees.

For more information about investment opportunities with Ace Hardware, visit www.myace.com.

The Franchise Times Top 400 is an exclusive annual ranking of the largest U.S.-based franchise systems by global systemwide sales. The 2026 edition was released September 30 following a five-month research process using sales and unit figures provided by brands or verified against franchise disclosure documents, public filings and brand-level data. The rankings, full report and searchable online database are available at www.franchisetimes.com/top-400-2026.

About Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware is the largest hardware cooperative in the world, serving more than 8,950 locally owned and operated stores around the globe, while providing the best products, services, and operating methods to almost 5,300 Ace retail stores in the United States. Ace Hardware’s family of brands includes Ace Hardware, Emery Jensen Distribution, and independent retailers worldwide. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace operates an expansive network of U.S. distribution centers, along with international capabilities in Ningbo, China. Since 1924, Ace has been a part of local communities, known as the place with the helpful hardware folks. For more information, visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com.

About The Franchise Times Top 400 
The Franchise Times Top 400 is the only ranking by systemwide sales and units of the largest 500 U.S.-based franchise brands. Published in the October issue and available in a searchable database online, the Franchise Times Top 400 also analyzes industry sectors based on percentage change in sales growth, reports the 10 fastest-growing franchises by four different measures, and includes exclusive news stories about the biggest names in franchising. The rankings and full report, and the searchable online database, are available at www.franchisetimes.com/top-400-2026.

Contact: media@acehardware.com

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SOURCE Ace Hardware Corporation