Here at狗万官方, we've been covering the franchise industry for more than 40 years-- and making predictions about it for just as long. Way back in March 1980, our very first Franchise 500 issue included a story titled "Franchising: Ready for the Eighties," which sought to offer "an incisive look at trends to watch in the Eighties... and predict the shape of franchising to come." Now we continue the tradition set by that article with our annual list looking at the franchise categories we expect to do best in the year ahead.
If you can find a copy of that 1980 article, you'll see some similarities between its predictions and ours. In 1980, we dubbed Mexican food "the brightest star in the fast-food heaven." Now that the category has expanded beyond fast food to fast-casual and full-service franchises, we think it has even more potential. The 1980 story touted "tremendous growth in limited-item snack shops," though it pointed to cookies and ice cream as examples, while we see potential in healthier snacks like acai bowls and juices today. And then there's this: "We expect recreation and leisure time activities to be a fertile area for franchising in the 1980s." We feel the same way about the 2020s... though the big recreation trend we went on to predict back then-- disco roller rinks-- is, sadly, nowhere to be found on our list today. We've also got childcare on our list this year, and back then we said, "Babysitting and childcare services is another [area] where the timing is right, considering the tremendous influx of working mothers and single-parent families in our society."
Of course, while some trends last for decades-- or come and go and come again-- not all of them last. In the 1980s, we also expounded on the "incredible potential of video stores." It's a good warning to take even the hottest trends with a grain of salt. And with that in mind, please remember that this list of franchises in trending categories is not intended as a recommendation of any particular franchise. Always do your homework before you invest by reading the company's legal documents, consulting with an attorney and an accountant, and talking to existing and former franchisees.
Beauty/Grooming
From haircare to hair removal, facials to pedicures, services that help people look and feel their best continue to be a winning formula in the franchise world. And while many of these services traditionally targeted women, franchises aimed at men and children are proving that their appeal is universal.
Deka Lash
Eyelash extensions
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Diesel Barbershop
Haircare and grooming services
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Drybar
Haircare
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Elements Massage
Therapeutic massage services
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
European Wax Center
Body waxing services, skin and beauty products
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Floyd's 99 Barbershop
Haircuts, hair coloring, shaves, retail products
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
模糊蜡棒
Body waxing
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Great Clips
Hair salons
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Hammer & Nails
Men's barbering and grooming services
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Idolize Brows & Beauty
Threading, lash and brow services, body waxing, facials
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
J'adore
Eyebrow microblading, scalp micropigmentation, semi-permanent makeup, aesthetics
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
LashBar
Eyelash extensions and beauty services
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Lashes By Ann
Eyelash extension studios
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Lume
Eyelash, eyebrow, beauty, and facial care studios
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
LunchboxWax
Body waxing
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Massage Envy
Massage therapy, stretch therapy, skin care, facials
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Massage Heights
Therapeutic massage, facials
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
MassageLuXe
Therapeutic massage, facials, waxing
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
MudbuM Facial Bar
Facials, skin-care products
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Nikita Hair
Hair salons
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Pure Glow
Organic spray tanning
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Salons by JC
Salon suites
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Scissors & Scotch
Men's grooming services, lounge and bar
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Seva Beauty
Eyebrow shaping, eyelash extensions, facials, tinting, makeup, spa services and products
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Spavia Day Spa
Massage, skin care, eyelash extensions, beauty and spa services
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Sport Clips
Men's sports-themed hair salons
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Sugaring NYC
Sugaring hair removal
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Sugarmoon Salon
Sugaring hair removal, beauty services
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Supercuts
Hair salons
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
The Woodhouse Spas
Spa services and treatments; bath, body, and wellness products
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Touch n Glow
Beauty services
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Waxing The City
Facial and body waxing
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Whip Salon
Beauty salons
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Breakfast
It's long been called the most important meal of the day, but it wasn't always the most popular. We've seen that change in recent years, and franchises are capitalizing on it. In addition to coffee and pastry shops, a number of new breakfast-focused restaurant concepts have popped up to offer heartier options.
Biggby Coffee
Specialty coffee, tea, smoothies, baked goods
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Daily Jam
Breakfast and lunch
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Doughnuttery
Mini doughnuts
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Dunkin'
Coffee, doughnuts, baked goods
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Dunn Brothers Coffee
Specialty coffee, tea, baked goods, sandwiches, soups, salads
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Eggs Up Grill
Breakfast, brunch, and lunch restaurants
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Randy's Donuts
Doughnuts and beverages
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Scooter's Coffee
Coffee, smoothies, pastries, breakfast
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Shipley Do-Nuts
Doughnuts, kolaches, pastries, coffee
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
The Coffee Beanery
Coffee, tea, sandwiches, salads
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Xpresso Delight
Office coffee service
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Child Care
The demand for childcare continues to grow, and franchises are rising up to meet it. Established brands are experiencing strong, steady growth--impressive in an industry where startup costs can climb into the millions. And their success seems to be attracting a number of newer brands to the franchise model as well.
Celebree School
Early childhood education and childcare
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Genius Kids
Preschool, daycare, public-speaking enrichment programs
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
dropin Childcar咯咯地笑e
Drop-in childcare, afterschool programs, summer camps
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Ivy Kids Systems
Childcare and early learning
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
KidsPark
Hourly childcare and preschool
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
KLA Schools
Preschool/childcare
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Muse Global
Early childhood education
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Tierra Encantada
Spanish immersion daycare and preschool
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Entertainment/Recreation
Recreational activities have proven to be a fertile field for franchising, especially in recent years. Paint-and-sip and DIY studios are still particularly popular, along with family entertainment centers, but this year's surprise new trend is ax throwing, with four new franchises joining the fray.
AR Workshop
DIY workshops
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Axe Monkeys
Indoor axe-throwing ranges
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
克鲁斯规划者
Travel agencies
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Ctrl V Inc.
Virtual reality arcades
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
DivaDance
Adult dance classes and parties
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Funtopia
Wall-climbing and family entertainment facilities
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
GameTruck
Mobile video-game theaters
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
HaliMac Inc.
Axe throwing
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Paniq Room
Escape rooms
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Pinot's Palette
Paint-and-sip studios
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Pinspiration
DIY studios
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Safari Nation
Indoor bounce houses and playgrounds
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
SailTime
Membership boat clubs
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Sky Zone
Trampoline playing courts
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Wine & Design
Paint-and-sip studios
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Fitness Businesses
健身是一个增长最快的类别,both in terms of number of concepts and number of units. Despite how competitive the industry is, it's not unusual to see some franchisors open hundreds of units a year. Newer brands seek to compete by offering specialized workouts, like aerial fitness, rowing, and barre.
30 Minute Hit
Kickboxing circuit-training programs for women
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
9Round
Kickboxing fitness circuit-training centers
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
AKT Franchise
Fitness studios
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Alkalign Studios
Group fitness classes, streaming fitness classes, nutrition coaching
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Amazing Athletes
Educational sports programs
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Athletic Republic
Sports performance training
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Baby Boot Camp
Prenatal and postpartum fitness and nutrition
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Big Blue Swim School
Swimming lessons for ages newborn to 10
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Blink Fitness
Health and fitness centers
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Burn Boot Camp
Women's fitness centers
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
CityRow Franchise
Rowing and strength training
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
CKO Kickboxing
Kickboxing fitness classes
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
CycleBar
Indoor cycling classes
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
D-BAT Academies Inc.
Indoor baseball and softball training, batting cages, merchandise
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
EverybodyFights
Fitness facilities
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
F45 Training
Fitness studios
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Fit4Mom
Prenatal and postpartum fitness and wellness programs
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Gold's Gym
Health and fitness centers
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
GYMGUYZ
Mobile personal training
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Honor Yoga
Yoga and meditation classes
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
i9 Sports
Youth sports leagues, camps, and clinics
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Jazzercise Inc.
Group fitness classes, conventions, apparel, and accessories
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Kidokinetics
Mobile children's physical education programs
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Kidz On The Go
Mobile children's fitness programs
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Kinderdance Int'l. Inc.
Children's dance, gymnastics, fitness, and yoga programs
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Legends Boxing
Boxing fitness programs
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Little Land Play Gym
Indoor play facilities and pediatric therapy
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
MyFitness Butler
Mobile personal training
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Physique 57
Barre fitness classes
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
PickUp USA Fitness
Basketball-focused fitness clubs
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Pure Barre
Barre fitness classes and apparel
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Pure Physique
Fitness and wellness centers
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Retro Fitness
Health clubs
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Sportball
Sports programs for ages 16 months to 12 years
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
StretchLab Franchise
Assisted stretching classes and related therapy services
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Sudore Wellness
Group interval training
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Tapout Fitness
Fitness and martial arts
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
The Barre Code
Barre fitness classes
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
The Max Challenge
10-week fitness and nutrition programs
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Title Boxing Club
Boxing and kickboxing fitness classes, personal training, apparel
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
TruFusion
Group fitness studios
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Tutu School
Children's ballet schools
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
UFC Gym
Boxing, kickboxing, Brazilian jiu jitsu, high-intensity interval training, and group fitness classes
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
YogaSix
Yoga classes
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Health
Franchises offering health products and services have always formed a fairly small but growing corner of the franchise world. In recent years, though, the face of this category has changed from largely traditional health services to more alternative offerings, such as acupuncture, cryotherapy, IV therapy, and cannabis.
100% Chiropractic
Chiropractic services, massage therapy, nutritional supplements
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
101 Mobility
Mobility and accessibility equipment sales and services
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
4ever Young
Preventative health, wellness, and aesthetic services
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Discover CBD
Hemp-derived CBD products
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
GreenLight Mobility
Home modifications for the disabled and aging
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
HealthSource Chiropractic
Chiropractic, rehabilitation, massage, nutrition, and wellness services
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
iCryo
Cryotherapy, wellness, and pain management services
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Mobility City Holdings
Wheelchair and mobility scooter repair, cleaning, rentals, and sales
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Mobility Plus
Mobility scooters, ramps, stair lifts
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
My Eyelab
Eye care and eyewear
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
One Cannabis
Retail cannabis dispensaries
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Pearle Vision
Eye care and eyewear
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Profile by Sanford
Weight-loss and wellness services
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Relax The Back Corp.
Products for relief/prevention of back and neck pain
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
The Hydration Room
Vitamin IV and injection therapy
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
The Joint Corp.
Chiropractic services
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Titan Medical Center
Medical rejuvenation therapy and weight-loss centers
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Juices/Acai Bowls
Consumers seeking healthier, fresher fast-food options have driven the strong growth of juice and smoothie franchises. Many have also added acai bowls to their menus, and the popularity of this item can be seen in the fact that a number of new franchisors make it the centerpiece of their concepts.
Bahia Bowls
Acai and pitaya bowls, smoothies, coffee, kombucha
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Clean Juice
Organic juices, smoothies, acai bowls
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Deezfruta
Juices and smoothies
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Jamba
Smoothies, juices, bowls, healthful snacks
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Juice It Up!
Raw and cold-pressed juices, smoothies, acai and pitaya bowls, healthful snacks
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Main Squeeze Juice Co.
Smoothies, cold-pressed juices, acai bowls, coffee drinks
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Nekter Juice Bar Inc.
Juices, smoothies, acai bowls, non-dairy ice cream
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Planet Smoothie
Smoothies and snacks
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Smoothie King
Smoothies, healthful snacks, health products
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
SoBol
Acai bowls
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Sweetberry Bowls
Acai bowls, smoothies, salads, wraps
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Smoothies, salads, wraps, sandwiches, flatbreads
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Vitality Bowls
Acai bowls, smoothies, juices, paninis, salads
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Mexican Food
In franchising, the Mexican food category is less saturated than burgers, pizza, or sandwiches, but the cuisine itself has only gained in popularity among American diners, making the industry ripe for growth. And the versatility of Mexican food means there's a wide variety of concepts, from fast food to Tex-Mex to more traditional fare.
Baja Fresh
Mexican food
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Go Burrito
Burritos and beer
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Qdoba墨西哥吃
Mexican food
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Rusty Taco
Tacos
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Taco Bell
Mexican food
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Pets
不可否认的吸引力系列that involves working with cute animals all day. And making life easier for pet owners can be financially rewarding as well. Spending on pets increases year after year, with an estimated $75 billion spent by Americans in 2019, according to the American Pet Products Association
Ark Pet Spa & Hotel
Pet boarding, daycare, grooming, and products
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Camp Bow Wow
Dog daycare, boarding, training, grooming; in-home pet care
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Camp Run-A-Mutt
Dog daycare and boarding
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Central Bark
Dog daycare
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Dee-O-Gee
Pet supplies and services
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Dogtopia
Dog daycare, boarding, and spa services
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
EarthWise Pet
Pet food and supplies, grooming, self-wash, training, and walking
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
easyvetclinic
Walk-in veterinary clinics
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Fetch! Pet Care
Pet-sitting, dog-walking
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Hounds Town USA
Dog daycare, pet boarding, pet grooming
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Husse
Pet-product delivery
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Jemelli
Dog-food delivery
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Paws Pet Care
Pet-sitting, dog-walking
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Pet Door USA
Pet door sales and installation
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Pet Passages
Pet funeral and cremation services and products
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Pet Supplies Plus
Retail pet supplies and services
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Pet Wants
Natural pet-food stores/delivery
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Petland
Pets, pet supplies, boarding, daycare, grooming
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Preppy Pet
Pet daycare, boarding, grooming
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Salty Paws
Dog ice cream shops
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Scenthound
Dog grooming
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
The Dog Stop
Dog care services and products
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Wild Birds Unlimited
Bird-feeding supplies and nature gift items
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Zoom Room
室内狗培训和社会化,宠物产品s
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Restoration Services
什么是热在特许经营并不总是对的s new or glamorous; often it has more to do with what has staying power. The restoration category, with its recession-proof reputation and steady growth, is a prime example. Disasters will always happen-- and there will always be a need for someone to clean up after them.
1-800-Packouts
Building contents packing, cleaning, storage, and restoration
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
911 Restoration
Residential and commercial property restoration
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
AdvantaClean
Restoration
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
DKI
Property restoration
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Duraclean
Carpet and upholstery cleaning, disaster restoration, mold remediation
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
PuroClean
Property damage restoration and remediation
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Restoration 1
Water, fire, smoke, and mold restoration
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Servpro
Fire, water, and other damage cleanup and restoration
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)
Steamatic Inc.
Insurance/disaster restoration, cleaning, mold remediation, air quality control
Total Units (Franchised / Company-Owned)