Franchisers: L.A. County-based firms, ranked by number of franchised units.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

WITH the acquisition of Appleby's International Inc. in November, IHOP Corp. moved to the top spot on the list of francbisers headquartered in L.A. County.

Beverly Hills-based Hilton Hotels Corp., which itself was acquired last year by Blackstone Group, dropped one spot.

Eleven of the franchisers on the list provide food or beverages. This sector tends to be popular among franchise options because it has lower initial start-up costs due to minimum real estate expenses. For example, beverage retailers Robeks Juice and Tapioca Express Inc. have initial investment costs below $350,000. Hotels such as Hilton or Vagabond Inn can run into the millions of dollars in startup costs.

In addition to food and beverage, a wide range of franchisers is headquartered locally. Los Angeles-based Mathnasium Learning Centers, an after-school math-only learning center, has 194 locations worldwide, up 170 compared with last year.

Glendale-based Color Me Mine Enterprises Inc., where customers paint their own ceramics, added nine units over the past 12 months, bringing its franchised total to 132.

Overall, the 25 largest franchisers have more than 8,000 franchised units worldwide and an additional 3,300 company-owned locations.

[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

THE PACESETTER

IHOP Corp. tops the list of the largest franchisers headquartered in L.A. County, with 3,320 franchised locations worldwide.

IHOP nearly tripled its number of units with the acquisition of Appleby's International Inc. last year. The company plans to continue operating Appleby's as a separate brand with separate marketing, operations and research and development. The menus will also be kept separate.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

"Each brand will retain its leadership, but we will integrate other departments such as accounting that aren't as visible to the guest," said Patrick Lenow, IHOP spokesman.

Glendale-based IHOP bought Appleby's in an all-cash acquisition for $25.50 per share after IHOP's board decided that an acquisition would be a viable way to grow the business. The sale closed in November.

"We didn't want to purchase a direct competitor," said Lenow. "We promised that to our franchisees and we don't see direct competition between the brands."

As for the IHOP brand, the company saw its 20th consecutive quarter of same-store sales growth. It met its goal of opening 60-70 stores in 2007. Additionally, IHOP has a pipeline of franchisees that are looking to add 400 more units.

For Appleby's, company officials see many growth markets for the brand, including locally.

"The Los Angeles market is one of the better markets for Appleby's to expand," said Lenow.

The first International House of Pancakes was opened in 1958 by AI Lapin in Toluca Lake. As of Dec. 31, there were 1,344 IHOP restaurants. It costs as much as $3.5 million to open a franchise.

Rank  Company                                          Units
      * name                                     (tota/L.A. County)
      * address                                     * franchises
                                                  * company-owned

 1    IHOP Corp. (2)                                  3,320/79
      450 N. Brand Blvd.                                520/0
      Glendale 91203

 2    Hilton Hotels Corp. (1)                           526/14
      9336 Civic Center Drive                         2,470/5
      Beverly Hills 90210

 3    It's a Grind Coffee House (4)                     297/40
      6272 E. Pacific Coast Highway,                      5/3
      Suite E Long Beach 90803

 4    Pollo Campero                                     260/18
      1625 W. Olympic Blvd.,                            221/39
      Suite 120 Los Angeles 90015

 5    Sizzler(5)                                        244/NA
      6101 W. Centinela Ave.                             62/NA
      Suite 300 Culver City 90230

 6    Wetzel's Pretzels (6)                             240/25
      35 Hugus Alley, Suite 300                           6/2
      Pasadena 91103

 7    Shakey's USA Inc. (24)                            200/29
      2200 W. Valley Blvd.                               15/15
      Alhambra 91803

 8    Mathnasium Learning                               194/15
      Centers (8)                                         2/2
      5120 W. Goldleaf Circle,
      Suite 130 Los Angeles 90056

 9    Baja Fresh Mexican Grill (10)                     144/51
      100 Moody Court, Suite 200                        145/14
      Thousand Oaks 91360

10    Robeks Fruit Smoothies &                          140/50
      Healthy Eats (14)                                   1/1
      1230 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 400
      Manhattan Beach 90266

11    Color Me Mine Enterprises                         132/20
      Inc. (12)                                           2/1
      3722 San Fernando Road
      Glendale 91204

12    The Counter                                       130/NA
      8571 Higuera Street                                NA/NA
      Culver City 90232

13    Relax the Back Corp. (13)                         110/NA
      6 Centerpointe Drive, Suite 350                    NA/NA
      La Palma 90623

14    Postal Connections of                              85/3
      America (1) (15)                                    0/0
      1081 Camino del Rio South,
      Suite 109 San Diego 92108

15    Collegiate Sports of America (16)                  78/2
      22900 Ventura Blvd., Suite 100                      0/0
      Woodland Hills 91364

16    Tapioca Express Inc. (17)                          64/58
      1908 Central Ave.                                   0/0
      South El Monte 91733

17    Fatburger North America Inc. (19)                  52/18
      301 Arizona Ave., Second Floor                     40/9
      Santa Monica 90401

18    EagleRider Motorcycle Rental (25)                  50/5
      11860 S. La Cienega Blvd.                           6/2
      Hawthorne 90250

19    Pizza Man (21)                                     50/NA
      100 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 602                       0/0
      Glendale 91203

20    Ameci Pizza & Pasta (23)                           47/29
      6603B Independence Ave.                             4/4
      Canoga Park 91303

21    JEI Self-Learning Centers                          45/10
      4221 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 224                    284/0
      Los Angeles 90010

22    Vagabond Franchise System                          45/9
      Inc. (22)                                           0/0
      5933 W. Century Blvd., Suite 200
      Los Angeles 90045

23    West Sanitation Services                           44/1
      Inc. (20)                                          40/2
      3882 Del Amo Blvd., Suite 602
      Torrance 90503

24    Tacone                                             40/NA
      950 S. Flower St., Suite 105                       NA/NA
      Los Angeles 90015

25    Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom                      19/6
      2011 Ocean Front Walk                               2/1
      Venice 90291

Company                              Description of Franchise Operation
* name
* address

IHOP Corp. (2)                         family restaurants and casual
450 N. Brand Blvd.                              restaurants
Glendale 91203

Hilton Hotels Corp. (1)               hotels and resorts ranging from
9336 Civic Center Drive             luxurious full-service to all-suite
Beverly Hills 90210                    to focused-service properties

It's a Grind Coffee House (4)             specialty coffee houses
6272 E. Pacific Coast Highway,
Suite E Long Beach 90803

Pollo Campero                                chicken restaurant
1625 W. Olympic Blvd.,
Suite 120 Los Angeles 90015

Sizzler(5)                               casual dining restaurants
6101 W. Centinela Ave.
Suite 300 Culver City 90230

Wetzel's Pretzels (6)                 hand-rolled pretzels, lemonade,
35 Hugus Alley, Suite 300                         hot dogs
Pasadena 91103

Shakey's USA Inc. (24)                pizza chain--thin crust pizza,
2200 W. Valley Blvd.                  crispy chicken, mojos and other
Alhambra 91803                                specialty items

Mathnasium Learning                    after school learning center
Centers (8)                            offering math-only year-round
5120 W. Goldleaf Circle,                    educational programs
Suite 130 Los Angeles 90056

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill (10)             fast casual Mexican food
100 Moody Court, Suite 200
Thousand Oaks 91360

Robeks Fruit Smoothies &               made-to-order, premium fruit
Healthy Eats (14)                    smoothies, fresh-squeezed juices,
1230 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 400       healthy salads, frozen yogurt and
Manhattan Beach 90266               sandwiches, nutritional supplements

Color Me Mine Enterprises             paint your own ceramics studios
Inc. (12)
3722 San Fernando Road
Glendale 91204

The Counter                          restaurant serving build your own
8571 Higuera Street                          premium hamburgers
Culver City 90232

Relax the Back Corp. (13)            retailer of ergonomic and comfort
6 Centerpointe Drive, Suite 350                  products
La Palma 90623

Postal Connections of                 postal and copy service centers
America (1) (15)
1081 Camino del Rio South,
Suite 109 San Diego 92108

Collegiate Sports of America (16)    athletic recruitment services for
22900 Ventura Blvd., Suite 100          high school student-athletes
Woodland Hills 91364

Tapioca Express Inc. (17)           tea-based beverages, coffee, juice,
1908 Central Ave.                        food quick-service stores
South El Monte 91733

Fatburger North America Inc. (19)    fast casual take-out and sit-down
301 Arizona Ave., Second Floor             hamburger restaurants
Santa Monica 90401

EagleRider Motorcycle Rental (25)    motorcycle and power sport rental
11860 S. La Cienega Blvd.                       and touring
Hawthorne 90250

Pizza Man (21)                       pizza, chicken, ribs and Italian
100 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 602                      dishes
Glendale 91203

Ameci Pizza & Pasta (23)               pizza, pasta, salads and subs
6603B Independence Ave.
Canoga Park 91303

JEI Self-Learning Centers               individualized supplemental
4221 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 224               education program
Los Angeles 90010

Vagabond Franchise System                    hotels and motels
Inc. (22)
5933 W. Century Blvd., Suite 200
Los Angeles 90045

West Sanitation Services               restroom deodorizing services
Inc. (20)
3882 Del Amo Blvd., Suite 602
Torrance 90503

Tacone                               quick-service restaurants serving
950 S. Flower St., Suite 105          sandwiches, salads and smoothies
Los Angeles 90015

Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom         gourmet sausage sandwiches, hot
2011 Ocean Front Walk                  dogs and fresh hand cut fries
Venice 90291

Company                                             Cost
* name                                      * initial investment
* address                                     * franchise fee
                                               * royalty (%)

IHOP Corp. (2)                              $880,000 - $3,700,000
450 N. Brand Blvd.                           $35,000 - $50,000
Glendale 91203                                    4% - 4.5%

Hilton Hotels Corp. (1)                       varies by brand
9336 Civic Center Drive                       50,000 - 85,000
Beverly Hills 90210                                4 - 5

It's a Grind Coffee House (4)                324,000 - 499,500
6272 E. Pacific Coast Highway,                     36,000
Suite E Long Beach 90803                             6

Pollo Campero                                816,400 - 1,430,000
1625 W. Olympic Blvd.,                             20,000
Suite 120 Los Angeles 90015                         5.5

Sizzler(5)                                          N/A
6101 W. Centinela Ave.                             35,000
Suite 300 Culver City 90230                          4

Wetzel's Pretzels (6)                             230,000
35 Hugus Alley, Suite 300                          30,000
Pasadena 91103                                       7

Shakey's USA Inc. (24)                            776,500
2200 W. Valley Blvd.                               25,000
Alhambra 91803                                       5

Mathnasium Learning                           50,000 - 75,000
Centers (8)                                        15,500
5120 W. Goldleaf Circle,                             11
Suite 130 Los Angeles 90056

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill (10)                250,000 - 650,000
100 Moody Court, Suite 200                         50,000
Thousand Oaks 91360                                  5

Robeks Fruit Smoothies &                     228,742 - 335,879
Healthy Eats (14)                                  30,000
1230 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 400                       7
Manhattan Beach 90266

Color Me Mine Enterprises                    125,000 - 155,000
Inc. (12)                                          30,000
3722 San Fernando Road                               5
Glendale 91204

The Counter                                       750,000
8571 Higuera Street                                40,000
Culver City 90232                                    6

Relax the Back Corp. (13)                    300,000 - 350,000
6 Centerpointe Drive, Suite 350                    49,500
La Palma 90623                                       5

Postal Connections of                        119,115 - 153,900
America (1) (15)                                   23,900
1081 Camino del Rio South,                           4
Suite 109 San Diego 92108

Collegiate Sports of America (16)                 $25,000
22900 Ventura Blvd., Suite 100                    $18,500
Woodland Hills 91364                                 0%

Tapioca Express Inc. (17)                     160,000 - 250,000
1908 Central Ave.                                  15,000
South El Monte 91733                                  3

Fatburger North America Inc. (19)             300,000 - 600,000
301 Arizona Ave., Second Floor                      50,000
Santa Monica 90401                                    6

EagleRider Motorcycle Rental (25)             150,000 - 800,000
11860 S. La Cienega Blvd.                           24,000
Hawthorne 90250                          10, 5 (rental, gross retail)

Pizza Man (21)                                     100,000
100 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 602                       25,000
Glendale 91203                                        4

Ameci Pizza & Pasta (23)                      225,000 - 250,000
6603B Independence Ave.                             25,000
Canoga Park 91303                                     4

JEI Self-Learning Centers                      57,600 - 92,000
4221 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 224                      25,000
Los Angeles 90010                                   varies

Vagabond Franchise System                           varies
Inc. (22)                                           20,000
5933 W. Century Blvd., Suite 200                     2.5
Los Angeles 90045

West Sanitation Services                            7,000
Inc. (20)                                           6,000
3882 Del Amo Blvd., Suite 602                         8
Torrance 90503

Tacone                                        200,000 - 400,000
950 S. Flower St., Suite 105                        30,000
Los Angeles 90015                                     6

Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom                  94,500 - 402,500
2011 Ocean Front Walk                               25,000
Venice 90291                                          5

Company                                      Contact Information
* name                                        * company contact
* address                                         * Web site

IHOP Corp. (2)                                  Jess Sotomayor
450 N. Brand Blvd.                                 ihop.com
Glendale 91203

Hilton Hotels Corp. (1)                          Bill Fortier
9336 Civic Center Drive                      hiltonfranchise.com
Beverly Hills 90210

It's a Grind Coffee House (4)                   Steve Shoeman
6272 E. Pacific Coast Highway,                  itsagrind.com
Suite E Long Beach 90803

Pollo Campero                                    Rick Howard
1625 W. Olympic Blvd.,                         camperowest.com
Suite 120 Los Angeles 90015

Sizzler(5)                                       Brad Ritter
6101 W. Centinela Ave.                           sizzler.com
Suite 300 Culver City 90230

Wetzel's Pretzels (6)                            Bill Phelps
35 Hugus Alley, Suite 300                        wetzels.com
Pasadena 91103

Shakey's USA Inc. (24)                            Joe Remsa
2200 W. Valley Blvd.                             shakeys.com
Alhambra 91803

Mathnasium Learning                             Andre Johnson
Centers (8)                                     mathnasium.com
5120 W. Goldleaf Circle,
Suite 130 Los Angeles 90056

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill (10)                   Craig Hopkins
100 Moody Court, Suite 200                      bajafresh.com
Thousand Oaks 91360

Robeks Fruit Smoothies &                         Ron Basinger
Healthy Eats (14)                                 robeks.com
1230 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 400
Manhattan Beach 90266

Color Me Mine Enterprises                      Michael Mooslin
Inc. (12)                                      colormemine.com
3722 San Fernando Road
Glendale 91204

The Counter                                           NA
8571 Higuera Street                          thecounterburger.com
Culver City 90232

Relax the Back Corp. (13)                         Rocio Meza
6 Centerpointe Drive, Suite 350                relaxtheback.com
La Palma 90623

Postal Connections of                            David Hurley
America (1) (15)                            postalconnections.com
1081 Camino del Rio South,
Suite 109 San Diego 92108

Collegiate Sports of America (16)                 Jeff Duva
22900 Ventura Blvd., Suite 100                 csaprepstar.com
Woodland Hills 91364

Tapioca Express Inc. (17)                        Allyson Lin
1908 Central Ave.                             tapiocaexpress.com
South El Monte 91733

Fatburger North America Inc. (19)               Seymour Floyd
301 Arizona Ave., Second Floor                  fatburger.com
Santa Monica 90401

EagleRider Motorcycle Rental (25)              Marcelino Orozco
11860 S. La Cienega Blvd.                       eaglerider.com
Hawthorne 90250

Pizza Man (21)                                  Robert Ohanian
100 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 602                        N/A
Glendale 91203

Ameci Pizza & Pasta (23)                        Nick Andrisano
6603B Independence Ave.                    amecipizzaandpasta. com
Canoga Park 91303

JEI Self-Learning Centers                        Justin Hong
4221 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 224                        NA
Los Angeles 90010

Vagabond Franchise System                       Bruce Weitzman
Inc. (22)                                      vagabondinn.com
5933 W. Century Blvd., Suite 200
Los Angeles 90045

West Sanitation Services                       Graham H. Emery
Inc. (20)                                     westsanitation.com
3882 Del Amo Blvd., Suite 602
Torrance 90503

Tacone                                           Craig Albert
950 S. Flower St., Suite 105                      tacone.com
Los Angeles 90015

Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom                    Paul Kramer
2011 Ocean Front Walk                           jodymaroni.com
Venice 90291

Company                              Top Local Executive
* name                               * name
* address                            * title
                                     * phone

IHOP Corp. (2)                       Julia Stewart
450 N. Brand Blvd.                   chairwoman, ceo, president
Glendale 91203                       [phone]

Hilton Hotels Corp. (1)              Christopher Nassetta
9336 Civic Center Drive              ceo
Beverly Hills 90210                  [phone]

It's a Grind Coffee House (4)        Steve Shoeman/Marty Cox
6272 E. Pacific Coast Highway,       co-ceos
Suite E Long Beach 90803             [phone]

Pollo Campero                        Jose Cofino
1625 W. Olympic Blvd.,               coo
Suite 120 Los Angeles 90015          [phone]

Sizzler(5)                           Kenneth Cole
6101 W. Centinela Ave.               ceo, president
Suite 300 Culver City 90230          [phone]

Wetzel's Pretzels (6)                Bill Phelps
35 Hugus Alley, Suite 300            ceo
Pasadena 91103                       [phone]

Shakey's USA Inc. (24)               Joe Remsa
2200 W. Valley Blvd.                 ceo, president
Alhambra 91803                       [phone]

Mathnasium Learning                  Peter Markovitz
Centers (8)                          president
5120 W. Goldleaf Circle,             [phone]
Suite 130 Los Angeles 90056

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill (10)        Craig Hopkins
100 Moody Court, Suite 200           v.p., franchise dev. and
Thousand Oaks 91360                  real estate
                                     [phone]

Robeks Fruit Smoothies &             Sheri Miksa
Healthy Eats (14)                    ceo, president
1230 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 400       [phone]
Manhattan Beach 90266

Color Me Mine Enterprises            Michael Mooslin
Inc. (12)                            president
3722 San Fernando Road               [phone]
Glendale 91204

The Counter                          Craig Albert
8571 Higuera Street                  president
Culver City 90232                    [phone]

Relax the Back Corp. (13)            Richard W. Palfreyman
6 Centerpointe Drive, Suite 350      ceo
La Palma 90623                       [phone]

Postal Connections of                C. Andy Thomson
America (1) (15)                     ceo
1081 Camino del Rio South,           [phone]
Suite 109 San Diego 92108

Collegiate Sports of America (16)    Jeff Duva
22900 Ventura Blvd., Suite 100       ceo, president
Woodland Hills 91364                 [phone]

Tapioca Express Inc. (17)            Allyson Lin
1908 Central Ave.                    franchise manager
South El Monte 91733                 [phone]

Fatburger North America Inc. (19)    Harold Fox
301 Arizona Ave., Second Floor       cfo
Santa Monica 90401                   [phone]

EagleRider Motorcycle Rental (25)    Chris McIntyre
11860 S. La Cienega Blvd.            president
Hawthorne 90250                      [phone]

Pizza Man (21)                       Robert Ohanian
100 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 602        ceo, president
Glendale 91203                       [phone]

Ameci Pizza & Pasta (23)             Nick Andrisano
6603B Independence Ave.              president
Canoga Park 91303                    [phone]

JEI Self-Learning Centers            Brian Moon
4221 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 224       managing director
Los Angeles 90010                    [phone]

Vagabond Franchise System            Don Johnson
Inc. (22)                            ceo, president
5933 W. Century Blvd., Suite 200     [phone]
Los Angeles 90045

West Sanitation Services             Graham H. Emery
Inc. (20)                            president
3882 Del Amo Blvd., Suite 602        [phone]
Torrance 90503

Tacone                               Craig Albert
950 S. Flower St., Suite 105         president
Los Angeles 90015                    [phone]

Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom        Rich Leivenberg
2011 Ocean Front Walk                vice president
Venice 90291                         [phone]

NA - Not Available

N/A - Not Available

Note: Information on this list was provided by representatives of the
franchise themselves unless otherwise noted. Franchisers are ranked
by number of franchised locations companywide and number of company-
owned locations companywide, respectively. To the best of our
knowledge, this information is accurate as of press time. While
every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and thoroughness of the
list, omissions and typographical errors sometimes occur. Please
send corrections or additions on company letterhead to the Research
Department, Los Angeles Business Journal, 5700 Wilshire Blvd., Suite
170, Los Angeles 90036. [C] 2008 Los Angeles Business Journal. This
list may not be reprinted in whole or in part without prior written
permission from the editor. Reprints are available from Wright's
Reprints, [phone].

Researched by David Nusbaum