FranchiseHelp.com, an independent information resource for people thinking about investing in a franchise, has conducted research into which franchises are most effectively using Facebook as a promotional tool.

The analysis was conducted in partnership with digital media auditor, M-IQ, took into account the number of ‘Likes’ on a franchise’s Facebook page, the growth of the page’s audience and the amount of activity/engagement taking place on the page.

Not surprisingly, the big franchises came out on top when it came to total fans (likes). McDonald’s, Taco Bell and a specific Subway franchisee (Subway 365) had the most likes as of 30 April 2011.

These three franchise’s also topped the Monthly Fan Growth category.

Taco Bell also reigned supreme when it came to Total Fan Responses and page activity, with Buffalo Wild Wings and Domino’s Pizza coming in as second and third.

According to FranchiseHelp.com, the level of activity of a user’s Facebook page is more important than people realise and is an easy and effective way to promote the brand to a wide audience.

“It seems that several franchise brands have ‘cracked the code’ of user engagement, at least on a pure volume basis, driving tremendous levels of comment and ‘Like’ activity from their Facebook audiences,” its website reads.

“From a pure visibility and brand exposure perspective, this is a critically important metric, as every time a user on Facebook interacts with a franchise page in some manner (particularly, by Liking or commenting on a post), that user’s friends stand a good chance of seeing that activity in their Facebook news feed (and on their friend’s wall).”

To view FranchiseHelp.com’s findings in full, click here www.franchisehelp.com/blog.