"They want an alternative to Toys 'R' Us, and this is the second-largest chain."

The company closed more than 50 stores in the area, even though they were the second-largest chain in greater Philadelphia in terms of market share.

Acquisitions financed by "junk bonds" made it the nation's second-largest chain of convenience stores.

Analysts say that Kmart, the second-largest retail chain, is also rapidly improving in such unsung disciplines.

That has been good news for Jackson Hewitt, the nation's second-largest chain of tax preparers.

Tower Records, the country's second-largest retail chain, is not included in the sample because its stores are equipped with different technology to measure sales.

Yet, Tenet is now the nation's second-largest chain.

Combined, they would be the second-largest chain in the country.

Zellers is Canada's second-largest chain of mass merchandise department stores.

La Petite is the nation's second-largest child-care chain, with 750 centers in 33 states.