Is 7-Eleven the world's largest franchise by number of locations?

Yes. By unit count, 7-Eleven is the world's largest franchise system: Seven & i Holdings reports 86,939 7-Eleven stores worldwide at the end of 2025, against 45,356 McDonald's restaurants in McDonald's own 10-K. By revenue, McDonald's leads; the two answer different questions.

The confusion is a metric mismatch. 7-Eleven leads on number of units; McDonald's leads on system revenue. Both statements are true — they just measure different things.

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—Most units: 7-Eleven, with 86,939 stores worldwide at the end of 2025 (Seven & i Holdings, Corporate Outline FY2025).

—Most revenue: McDonald's.

Always ask 'largest by what?' when a franchise ranking is quoted — units and revenue rank brands very differently.

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