The University of New Hampshire's Rosenberg International Center of Franchising has launched a franchise index that tracks the market performance of the top 50 US public franchisors. These 50 franchisors represent over 98% of the market capitalization of all US public companies engaged in business format franchising. From a universe of close to 140 US public franchisors that it tracks in its Global Franchisor Database, the Center has identified the top 50 US public companies involved in business format franchising and, using a methodology similar to that used by the S&P 500 Index, has developed monthly and quarterly indices that track the aggregate stock market performance of the top 50 franchisors. In addition, it has developed monthly and quarterly indices that track specific franchise sectors (Food, Lodging, Services).