Owning one’s own business is a dream for many Americans, offering an opportunity to put their business skills to the test and turn a significant profit. Starting a business wholly from scratch is a daunting task, and many aspiring entrepreneurs choose to open a franchise instead.
There are hundreds of companies that offer franchise opportunities, but a handful stand out as doing especially well, growing swiftly in recent years. Many of the fastest-growing franchises have more than doubled their total locations in the last five years.
To determine the hottest businesses to franchise in America, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on franchise growth from Entrepreneur magazine’s 43rd annual Franchise 500 ranking.
The hottest businesses to franchise are in a range of industries, including restaurants, gyms and workout classes, cleaning services, real estate, and salons. Franchise businesses often require significant initial investment in real estate, materials, and more. The franchises on this list can have starting costs anywhere from a few thousand to several million dollars.
Franchises offer the option of owning a business with a ready-made business plan, brand identity, and blueprint for success. Many well-known businesses offer franchisees a positive business image that they can benefit from without having to cultivate it themselves. However, this can be a double-edged sword, as any scandals at the corporate level can taint the image of all locations through no fault of the franchisee. These are America’s most hated companies.
Click here to see the hottest businesses to franchise in America
Click here to read our detailed methodology
25. Smoothie King
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +27.9%
> Total 2021 global locations: 1,349
> Est. franchise startup cost: $269,000 – $859,000
> Product: Smoothies, healthful snacks, health products
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24. Culver’s
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +28.7%
> Total 2021 global locations: 808
> Est. franchise startup cost: $2.4 million – $5.4 million
> Product: Frozen custard, specialty burgers
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23. Pure Barre
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +29.7%
> Total 2021 global locations: 599
> Est. franchise startup cost: $202,000 – $462,000
> Product: Barre fitness classes and apparel
22. Buildingstars
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +29.9%
> Total 2021 global locations: 964
> Est. franchise startup cost: $2,000 – $53,000
> Product: Commercial cleaning
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21. Dream Vacations
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +33.2%
> Total 2021 global locations: 1,489
> Est. franchise startup cost: $2,000 – $21,000
> Product: Travel agencies
20. HomeVestors of America
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +35.6%
> Total 2021 global locations: 1,154
> Est. franchise startup cost: $72,000 – $431,000
> Product: Home buying, repair, and selling
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19. OpenWorks
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +36.1%
> Total 2021 global locations: 717
> Est. franchise startup cost: $4,000 – $124,000
> Product: Commercial cleaning, facility services
18. Motel 6
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +37.0%
> Total 2021 global locations: 1,232
> Est. franchise startup cost: $223,000 – $7.5 million
> Product: Economy hotels
17. Wingstop
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +40.9%
> Total 2021 global locations: 1,624
> Est. franchise startup cost: $348,000 – $759,000
> Product: Chicken wings
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16. Supercuts
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +41.1%
> Total 2021 global locations: 2,505
> Est. franchise startup cost: $151,000 – $321,000
> Product: Hair salons
15. Planet Fitness
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +50.3%
> Total 2021 global locations: 2,174
> Est. franchise startup cost: $937,000 – $4.6 million
> Product: Fitness clubs
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14. Kona Ice
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +52.5%
> Total 2021 global locations: 1,395
> Est. franchise startup cost: $150,000 – $174,000
> Product: Shaved-ice trucks
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13. Corvus Janitorial Systems
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +57.3%
> Total 2021 global locations: 1,164
> Est. franchise startup cost: $10,000 – $35,000
> Product: Commercial cleaning
12. Jersey Mike’s Subs
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +59.3%
> Total 2021 global locations: 1,973
> Est. franchise startup cost: $145,000 – $786,000
> Product: Subs and Philly cheesesteaks
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11. Sola Salon Studios
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +60.5%
> Total 2021 global locations: 576
> Est. franchise startup cost: $545,000 – $1.7 million
> Product: Salon studios
10. Tropical Smoothie Cafe
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +65.8%
> Total 2021 global locations: 991
> Est. franchise startup cost: $258,000 – $561,000
> Product: Smoothies, salads, wraps, sandwiches, flatbreads
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9. The Joint Chiropractic
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +66.5%
> Total 2021 global locations: 639
> Est. franchise startup cost: $204,000 – $381,000
> Product: Chiropractic services
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8. Cost Cutters Family Hair Care
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +67.5%
> Total 2021 global locations: 646
> Est. franchise startup cost: $149,000 – $317,000
> Product: Family hair salons
7. Stratus Building Solutions
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +69.6%
> Total 2021 global locations: 2,418
> Est. franchise startup cost: $4,000 – $80,000
> Product: Environmentally friendly commercial cleaning and disinfecting
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6. Signal 88 Security
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +84.6%
> Total 2021 global locations: 722
> Est. franchise startup cost: $78,000 – $221,000
> Product: Private security guard and patrol services
5. NextHome
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +146.3%
> Total 2021 global locations: 500
> Est. franchise startup cost: $15,000 – $214,000
> Product: Real estate
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4. Club Pilates
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +206.4%
> Total 2021 global locations: 649
> Est. franchise startup cost: $179,000 – $368,000
> Product: Reformer Pilates classes
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3. Goosehead Insurance
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +267.1%
> Total 2021 global locations: 1,072
> Est. franchise startup cost: $42,000 – $117,000
> Product: Property and casualty insurance
2. F45 Training
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +777.8%
> Total 2021 global locations: 1,555
> Est. franchise startup cost: $313,000 – $485,000
> Product: Fitness studios
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1. SmartStyle
> U.S. franchise growth 2017-2021: +2,778.8%
> Total 2021 global locations: 1,652
> Est. franchise startup cost: $179,000 – $305,000
> Product: Family hair salons
Methodology
To determine the hottest businesses to franchise in America, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on franchise growth from Entrepreneur magazine’s 43rd annual Franchise 500 ranking. Franchises were ranked based on the percentage growth in the number of U.S. franchises from 2017 to 2021. Only companies with at least 500 U.S. franchise establishments as of 2021 were included for consideration. Supplemental data on global location count, which includes company-owned locations, and estimated startup cost also came from Entrepreneur.
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