Press Release

Weichert Ranked #2 Traditional Real Estate Franchise in Entrepreneur's "Franchise 500"

Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. (WREA) has again been recognized as one of the top franchises by Entrepreneur magazine, which ranked the company as the #2 traditional residential real estate franchise and #3 overall in the Real Estate category in its Franchise 500® list for 2015. This year’s list not only reflects a higher ranking for Weichert among real estate franchises (#4 in 2014), but an increase in the overall franchise rankings (moving to #236 from #256 in 2014). For the past 11 years, WREA has consistently appeared on this prestigious list, which includes such franchises as McDonald’s and Hampton Hotels. The full list appears in the January 2015 issue of Entrepreneur magazine and is a reflection of trends and industries poised for growth. 

“Weichert’s strength in the real estate industry across the country is evident,” said WREA President Martin J. Rueter. “This ranking represents the hard work and dedication of our network of professionals, and we’re honored to be recognized again this year. We are also grateful to the thousands of happy homeowners, and those people looking to buy or sell a home, who trust Weichert, Realtors with their business and contribute to our company’s continued growth.” 

In the past year, WREA has added 45 new affiliate offices to its ever-growing network. WREA entered the franchise arena as a division of Weichert, Realtors, opening its first affiliated office in January 2002. By 2005, WREA was identified among Entrepreneur’s “Top 10 New Franchises” as one of the fastest growing U.S. franchises, and was the only real estate organization to be included. 

Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® issue is published every January and is considered the world’s most thorough and comprehensive franchise ranking. Rankings are determined by objective, quantifiable measures of a franchise’s operations and include factors such as financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of the system, years in business and startup costs. 

Weichert Real Estate Affiliates has offices serving more than 250 markets in 37 states. Affiliates join a nationally recognized real estate franchisor that offers incomparable business and marketing tools and training techniques.  

About Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.

Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. (WREA) has grown steadily since Jim Weichert, co-president and founder of Weichert, Realtors, named Martin J. Rueter as president. The two collaborated in 2001 to create a business model for franchisee ownership candidates described as “a clearly defined operating system for marketing and managing a real estate business.” WREA announced its first affiliate in 2002, was identified in 2005 by Entrepreneur magazine as one of the fastest growing U.S. franchises, and is ranked the #2 traditional residential real estate franchise in Entrepreneur’s 2015 Franchise 500. WREA has offices serving some 250 markets in 37 states. For more information about Weichert, visit www.weichert.com.  

About Weichert, Realtors

Since 1969, Weichert, Realtors has grown from a single office into one of the nation’s leading providers of homeownership services by putting its customers first. A family of full-service real estate and financial services companies, Weichert helps customers buy and sell both residential and commercial real estate, and streamlines the delivery of mortgages and home and title insurance. Weichert leverages its customer website, www.weichert.com, one of the most visited real estate websites in the nation, to help families and individuals realize the dream of homeownership through quick and easy access to listing information and the services of its real estate professionals nationwide. For more information, Weichert’s customer service center can be reached at 1-800-USA-SOLD. Weichert franchised offices are independently owned and operated.  

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