• The staffing market in the U.S. is the largest in the world, with revenue of $184 billion in 2024 projected to grow by 10% between 2025 and 2030.
• Staffing solutions are in greater demand during uncertain economic times, helping businesses access skilled talent without long-term commitment and pivot quickly when hiring needs change.
• Staffing franchises offer opportunities for entrepreneurs in a B2B, service-based industry, as well as advantages including steady demand across industries and relatively low overhead.

Businesses are navigating changes in the workforce, economy and technologic advances that are anything but predictable. Hiring needs shift quickly, employee expectations continue to evolve and economic uncertainty is influencing how companies plan for growth. As a result, staffing solutions have become a necessity, rather than a convenience.

For entrepreneurs exploring business ownership, staffing franchises are drawing attention, as they address real problems companies are trying to solve right now.

The U.S. ranks as the largest staffing market in the world, with revenue of $184 billion in 2024 projected to grow by 10% between 2025 and 2030, according to Staffing Industry Analysts.

Investing in a recruiting franchise offers an opportunity to step into a B2B service-based industry that supports businesses through expansion and uncertainty. With flexible staffing models, steady demand across industries and relatively low overhead, staffing franchises present a practical path for entrepreneurs focused on resilience and relevance.

Vital Role in Today’s Job Market

Staffing services help connect businesses with talent in a way that keeps operations moving efficiently. They help employers pivot when hiring needs change quickly, giving businesses access to skilled workers without long-term risk.

Staffing agencies also help businesses adapt by providing practical, on-demand workforce solutions. They support companies as they ramp up teams at new locations, transition high-performing temporary workers into permanent roles and fill short-term gaps created by medical or family leave. Staffing partners also play a role when in-house recruiting efforts fall short, helping businesses secure qualified professionals, including executives and hard-to-fill specialists.

As long as companies need flexibility in how they build their teams, staffing services remain essential rather than optional. Savvy entrepreneurs who can build a knowledgeable team of recruiters and salespeople have the opportunity to build businesses that become an integral part of their local and regional business communities.

Economic Uncertainty Driving Hiring Decisions

When economic conditions feel unstable, businesses often rethink traditional hiring approaches. Committing to permanent roles may feel risky, especially when future demand is unclear. As a result, many organizations turn to staffing partners to fill open positions while managing costs.

Rising expenses, changing employee expectations, and rapid shifts in technology all contribute to this cautious mindset. Staffing franchises help employers respond quickly without overextending resources. They also advise businesses about developing labor trends and pertinent labor regulations. This ability to adjust and advise is one reason the staffing sector remains stable even when other industries slow down.

Flexibility becomes a strategic advantage, and staffing providers are central to delivering it.

Advantages in Staffing Franchises

A recruiting franchise gives entrepreneurs access to a proven structure within a people-driven industry. Instead of building systems from the ground up, franchise owners step into an established business model that includes training, operational support and brand credibility.

Trust matters in staffing. Employers want partners who understand their needs, and job seekers want to work with agencies that treat them with respect and professionalism. An established brand can help franchise owners build that trust more quickly within their local market.

Ongoing support also plays a meaningful role. Franchisees typically receive evidence-based guidance about recruiting practices, sales strategies, compliance requirements and day-to-day operations. That support allows owners to focus on relationships and revenue-generating activities rather than administrative or regulatory burdens.

Opportunities Spanning Multiple Industries

One of the strengths of the staffing industry is its broad reach. Staffing services are needed across healthcare, administrative roles, information technology, manufacturing, logistics and finance, among others.

This diversity reduces reliance on any single sector. If hiring slows in one industry, demand may remain strong in another. For franchise owners, that balance can help stabilize revenue and open doors to specialization based on local market needs.

As businesses continue to rethink workforce structures, flexible staffing solutions are likely to remain a priority across industries.

Built to Weather Economic Shifts

Staffing agencies tend to perform a dual role. In strong economies, they help businesses grow by filling roles quickly. In slower periods, they support companies by offering flexible staffing options that reduce long-term commitments and advising ways to retain their top talent.

This adaptability allows staffing franchises to stay relevant across economic cycles. Rather than being tied to discretionary spending or consumer trends, they operate within the core function of keeping businesses staffed and productive.

Over time, as a staffing agency proves its value to a business through economic cycles, the trust that builds between employers and the staffing agency further solidifies the agency’s place as an invaluable resource and partner for the business. For entrepreneurs, this creates a business model grounded in usefulness rather than hype.

Lower Barriers to Entry

Compared with many traditional franchises, staffing businesses often require less upfront investment. They typically operate with smaller office spaces and minimal physical inventory, which helps keep overhead manageable.

Training programs, technology platforms and operational systems are usually included, providing structure from day one.

Financing options and franchisor support can also make entry more accessible for first-time owners. This combination appeals to entrepreneurs who want to focus on building client relationships and growing a business without the burden of heavy infrastructure costs.

What to Consider Before Investing

Before committing to a staffing franchise, entrepreneurs should consider their interest in people-focused work. Success in staffing depends on building trust with both clients and candidates and maintaining those relationships over time.

It’s also important to understand how a franchisor supports sales, recruiting and compliance. Reviewing available resources related to a recruiting franchise can help clarify expectations and long-term potential.

As with any business decision, due diligence matters. But for entrepreneurs looking for a service-based opportunity rooted in real demand, staffing continues to stand out.

Practical Path Forward in Changing Workforce

The workforce is evolving, and businesses need partners who can help them adapt. Staffing franchises are positioned to meet that need by offering flexibility, insight and local understanding.

For entrepreneurs seeking a business that aligns with current economic realities, a recruiting franchise offers a timely and grounded opportunity. With scalable systems, broad market relevance and consistent demand, staffing franchises support growth built on connection and adaptability rather than short-term trends.

As workforce dynamics continue to shift, investing in staffing now allows entrepreneurs to build something that matters to businesses, to job seekers, and to the communities they serve.

About the Author

Dan Brunell is a senior executive with over 30 years of experience in the staffing and recruiting industry, with a strong focus on franchise development and business strategy. At Spherion, a recognized leader in workforce solutions, he leads franchise growth by managing the selection and education process for prospective franchise owners.

• Answering Service Care has enhanced its client services with a new mobile app.
• Through the app, franchise owners and operators learn of customer contacts and can respond quickly.  
• ASC’s new app documents and organizes inbound and outbound communications: text messages, recorded phone calls and voicemails. 
• Using the app, clients can review data whenever they wish rather than waiting for a monthly report.
• ASC clients can set up the app so calls are routed to the appropriate person, such as someone in billing or a technician.  
• The app is available through the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Answering Service Care, which handles businesses’ incoming calls, emails, texts and live chats when the staff is unavailable, has upped its game with a mobile app that franchisees are destined to love. 

“Franchise owners and operators rarely sit at one desk all day. They may be visiting locations, managing staff, helping customers, handling urgent issues or moving between jobs,” says Logan Shooster, vice president of strategic growth for ASC. “The ASC mobile app gives them a way to stay connected to their answering service account from their phone. They can review messages, monitor account activity, manage SMS conversations, place outbound calls from their business number, check reports and adjust certain account settings without needing to be at a computer.” 

He adds that clients can access ASC through the service’s web app, too – and of course they can always reach the ASC team 24/7/365 by phone or email when needed.

Speed and Control

“Overall, the app gives franchise owners and operators more visibility and control,” Shooster says. “The ASC app helps the business stay informed, respond faster and manage next steps from wherever they are.” A Forbes article notes that if a business takes more than five minutes to respond to prospects, it will lose many customers. “Consumer expectations and options for 24/7 availability have supercharged the importance of speed-to-lead,” the article states. 

ASC has been expediting business responses for 52 years, and its new app allows business owners and operators to even more quickly see what happened and react to assist customers, prospects, tenants or callers from anywhere via the app. In addition, the app can send notifications so the right person is alerted to a new message or account activity needing attention.

Various communications – voicemails, SMS conversations, any messaging that ASC has handled – are retained so the user can review interactions connected to the account. “This is powerful because the owner or operator can quickly understand who reached out, what they needed and whether follow-up is required,” Shooster says. Franchises with multiple employees and locations find this capability especially useful, he says.

Privacy was a consideration in developing the app, too, Shooster says. A franchise owner or manager can use the app’s dial pad to place an outbound call with caller ID showing the business’s phone number, not a personal one. The app also provides for two-way text messaging that involves the business number rather than a personal phone.

As a bonus, the app keeps business texts organized in one place and offers access to contact details, account association and the reply field so that important customer conversations are not scattered across personal phones. “If the customer texts back, that inbound SMS is now managed by ASC, where we can either deliver the SMS to our live agents, AI or even back to the franchise if needed,” Shooster says.

ASC App Functions and Features

1. Access to recorded calls. If the ASC client has enabled call recording, ASC-recorded calls can be made available for playback. If ASC handles a call, the business may listen to that call afterward to confirm details, review service quality, train staff or resolve confusion.
2. Contact and account management. This includes account users, business contacts, message relay contacts and on-call or escalation contacts. For a franchise, that means the right people are connected to the right types of calls. For example, an urgent service request is routed to an on-call technician, while a billing question goes to the office manager.
3. Reporting view. This gives on-demand access to call and usage activity for summary reports, activity logs, usage by number, message relay reports, appointment reports and virtual call logs. “Instead of waiting for a scheduled report from ASC, an owner or operator can check activity from the app when they need it,” Shooster explains. “That can help them spot changes faster, such as a spike in calls after a storm, an increase in missed opportunities or heavier after-hours demand.”
4. Notification preferences. Users control how they’re alerted. For instance, they may want alerts for new messages, SMS activity, secure messages or urgent updates. “The goal is to notify the right person quickly without interrupting others unnecessarily,” he says.
5. Call control. For businesses using dispatching or on-call workflows, the app lets users set who should receive urgent calls and when. The “Hold My Calls” option lets the user temporarily pause calls for a chosen period, such as one hour, four hours or until a selected date and time. “This feature is useful when someone is temporarily unavailable but doesn’t want to change the entire account setup,” Shooster says. “A franchise operator might pause dispatching or hold calls if a technician is unavailable, a manager is in a meeting, a location is temporarily closed, weather makes service unsafe, or the business needs calls handled by ASC.”

Examples for 3 Types of Franchises

Shooster praises the app’s value for a wide range of franchises and lists three examples: 

• Speed is crucial for a restoration franchise. If a homeowner discovers a broken water heater flooding the house at 10 p.m., ASC can answer the call, capture the details and route the urgent information to the right on-call person. Through the app, the franchise operator can immediately review the message and call back (with the customer’s caller ID showing the business number), permitting the franchise to respond promptly and land jobs.
• HVAC franchises must respond rapidly during extreme weather. If technicians are tied up in the field, for example, ASC can answer calls, collect the details and route urgent requests. The app enables the owner or dispatcher to respond appropriately while again showing the business’ phone number.
• After hours, in-home care franchises may receive calls about a scheduling concern or an urgent request for an update. ASC can send the information to the franchise operator so the operator can decide who needs to respond, a reassuring experience for inquiring family members.

For Further Information

ASC’s app is available through the Apple App Store and Google Play. Clients can also access ASC through the web app from a browser.

To learn more about the company, its services and pricing, visit the ASC website. Family-owned ASC constantly refines the customer experience after researching topics such as hold music, the accents of live agents and the use of artificial intelligence in handling calls.

Betting on an emerging brand can feel like a leap of faith, but it’s a lot easier when you believe in the people leading the way. With that in mind, the team at NTV360 has made franchisee support a priority from the very start. “As a quickly expanding brand, we’ve been very intentional about building a structured, step-by-step launch system that sets our franchisees up for success from day one,” explains Sean Givens, NTV360’s chief operating officer.

NTV360 combines a simple, easy-to-understand digital media concept with hands-on guidance and proprietary technology. Franchisees place digital TV screens in high-traffic spots like restaurants and gyms, where advertisers pay to reach a targeted audience. There’s no retail space to manage, no inventory to track, and the business can be run from a laptop. Owners focus on building strong local relationships and creating monthly recurring revenue. Community-focused franchise owners participate in local organizations and simply enjoy getting out and engaging with local business owners.

The Denver-based leadership team offers support every step of the way. “Every new owner follows a playbook and onboarding roadmap that guides them through territory development, initial outreach and their first sales,” says Givens. Franchisees are given access to sales tools, proposals, marketing templates and proprietary software. The software allows full control of the content on their indoor digital billboard network from anywhere with an internet connection. Ads are fully created by a dedicated creative team and can be uploaded to a single screen or to their entire network with a single click.

“Franchisees have access to sales coaches who not only help them become a master of their craft, but also join discovery calls to assist in navigating the conversation with their prospects,” explains Givens. “Through role-playing sessions and strategy calls with their assigned coach, we help them refine their delivery and build confidence.” Franchise owners can practice presentations, learn how to handle objections and receive real-time feedback. Sessions are done both virtually and in-person, with NTV360 corporate trainers and peers.

Support is one of the biggest reasons many people choose franchising instead of starting from scratch. Franchise owners are still building their own businesses, but they are not doing it alone. They have a proven model, training, tools and a team behind them. The International Franchise Association’s 2026 Franchising Economic Outlook projects the sector will grow to 845,000 franchise locations, support nearly 8.9 million jobs and generate $921.4 billion in economic output in 2026.

Low-Cost Franchise

NTV360, launched in 2022, is a success story on several fronts, but one critical source of its rapid growth lies in its price tag. The initial investment ranging from $47,150 to $120,405 opens the door to a broad spectrum of aspiring franchisees who might otherwise be boxed out. Accessibility has helped the brand rapidly expand to 65 territories nationwide.

Givens, whose great-grandfather started one of the largest dry cleaning businesses in Kentucky and whose mom owned a small local marketing firm, understands well how hard running and scaling a small business can be. That personal backstory enables him to understand the needs of the franchisees’ clients and how to best support their growth.

“The ideal fit is someone who enjoys working with businesses, embraces innovation and wants to build a sustainable, recurring revenue company within their community,” says Givens. “When franchisees commit to learning our model and consistently applying best practices, they build an engine for financial freedom and growth.”

NTV360 Franchise Opportunity

OVERVIEW

• Franchisees partner with local businesses to install digital TV screens in high-traffic locations.
• Advertisers use these screens to deliver local and regional messaging directly to target audiences.

FRANCHISE MODEL

• Flat monthly admin fee: $500.
• Per-screen fee: $75 per installed screen.
• Advertiser rates: $300–$5,000 per month, depending on visibility and location (franchisee determines cost structure)

TRAINING & SUPPORT

• Comprehensive training from pre-launch through the first 120 days of operation with ongoing monthly training offerings.
• Ongoing operational and marketing support included

INVESTMENT RANGE

• $47,150–$120,405 total initial investment.
• Includes equipment, training and start up materials

WHY NTV360

• Fast-growing media-tech franchise.
• Combines digital advertising, local marketing and community partnerships.
• Ideal for motivated entrepreneurs with a focus on local business development.

GROWTH SNAPSHOT

• Franchising since 2025.
• Active franchise locations: 65 and growing nationwide

Learn more about the NTV360 franchise opportunity.

Dog Haus, a leading fast-casual restaurant concept, has appointed Garen Khodaverdian as chief operating officer. Khodaverdian’s multi-decade restaurant career began when he worked as a part-time employee at Jersey Mike’s. He learned the ins and outs of the business and went on to become a successful multi-unit owner of Jersey Mike’s and Wingstop franchises. He is now responsible for streamlining Dog Haus’ operations, improving efficiencies and managing costs.

“What attracted me to Dog Haus was the combination of a strong brand identity, a unique menu and a tremendous growth opportunity. The company has built a loyal following by doing things differently and refusing to be just another restaurant concept,” Khodaverdian said. “What really stood out to me was the opportunity to help shape a brand that is truly built by franchisees for franchisees. There is a genuine understanding of what operators need to be successful because many of the people helping lead the brand have lived the franchisee experience themselves.”

He credited his time with Jersey Mike’s and Wingstop for valuable lessons about leadership, scalability, franchisee support and protecting a brand’s culture. “Dog Haus can continue to lead by staying focused on operational excellence, delivering an exceptional guest experience, supporting franchisees with practical tools and training, and continuing to innovate while protecting what makes the brand unique.”

Investing in Dog Haus’ Future

Khodaverdian’s addition to the leadership team is tied to a 50-unit deal that he and his longtime friend, Chris Rigassio, signed as part of Dog Haus’s growth plan. Rigassio is now the brand’s president and chief development officer.

“Franchisors succeed when franchisees succeed, and every initiative, program and decision should be viewed through that lens,” Khodaverdian said. “That’s also one of the reasons Chris and I have committed to opening 50 Dog Haus locations ourselves. We believe in the future of this brand, and we’re willing to invest alongside our franchisees because we have confidence in what we’re building together.”

CEO Michael Montagano said Khodaverdian and Rigassio “bring an unmatched combination of operational excellence, franchisee experience and strategic vision to our table. I’ve known both for years and watched them build impressive portfolios as franchise operators and business leaders, and know they are the right partners to help take Dog Haus to the next level.” 

About Dog Haus

Hagop Giragossian, Quasim Riaz and André Vener established Dog Haus in Pasadena, Calif., in 2010. The fast-casual franchise’s menu includes all-beef hot dogs, handcrafted sausages, plant-based burgers and chicken creations. Its biggest partnership came in 2024 with YouTuber and professional boxer Jake Paul coming on as a franchisee and board member. Since its founding, Dog Haus has expanded to more than 50 locations nationwide.   

• HOTWORX is using AI to make fitness more personalized, efficient, and accessible.
• TrainingTRAX builds custom workout plans, adapts to user habits, and adds virtual coaching without extra staff.
• The platform strengthens member accountability while supporting HOTWORX’s scalable, low-labor franchise model.
• HOTWORX recently was recognized as the top boutique fitness brand in Entrepreneur magazine’s inaugural list of the top 10 franchises in every industry.

Trendy workouts come and go. But the key to building a successful fitness business has always come down to the same simple formula: create efficient workouts that people enjoy — and make sure they deliver results.

HOTWORX, a fitness franchise that offers infrared sauna workouts led by virtual personal trainers, has proven that strategy works. With the motto, “More Workout, Less Time!” the brand raises the heat on cycling, rowing, yoga, Pilates, barre, stretch and other isometric and strength-training sessions, while simultaneously reducing the time it takes to benefit from them.

Recently named the top boutique fitness brand in Entrepreneur magazine’s inaugural list of the top 10 franchises in every industry, HOTWORX was ranked the No. 3 fitness franchise in the category overall.

And the brand continues to raise the bar. In April, HOTWORX introduced TrainingTRAX, a new AI-driven feature on the HOTWORX’ Burn Off app. Available exclusively for Sweat Elite members, TrainingTRAX offers customized 90-day fitness challenges with guided workouts and virtual coaching based on a user’s specific goals.

The AI Fitness Coach

The AI Fitness Coach TrainingTRAX is the latest evolution of an app that helped members reach their goals. It organizes and tracks workouts, designs customized HOTWORX programs, offers personalized coaching and recommendations and still includes the innovative DietTRAX feature that helps balance food intake with the calories burned through HOTWORX sessions to help maximize weight loss and fat burn. Best of all, it evolves with you and your goals. If you’re consistent with your workouts, the platform may increase the intensity or volume of your sessions. If you’re skipping harder classes, it may scale things back. 

Here’s how it works: Members enter their top three fitness goals, schedule their availability, and TrainingTRAX instantly generates a 90-day program designed to meet those goals. A clear weekly exercise schedule takes the guessing out of gym routines — just follow along at a HOTWORX studio and complete the suggested workouts. The platform records a member’s workout history and activity trends, and it adjusts workouts — scaling back or ramping up — based on their behavior. Like a personal trainer, TrainingTRAX holds you accountable, enforces consistency and propels them toward results — without requiring additional staff.  

“TrainingTRAX transforms the Burn Off app into a complete fitness ecosystem, where planning, tracking, coaching and visualization all work together seamlessly,” says Stephen Smith, MA, CEO and Creator of HOTWORX. “It delivers what today’s fitness consumer is looking for: clarity, accountability and results.” 

Gym-goers often wander around weight rooms, wasting time, not sure which machine to tackle. At HOTWORX, TrainingTRAX removes all of that guesswork. It displays daily and weekly exercise activity and leads users through a combination of sauna sessions and workouts in the FX Zone (a sauna-free space with free weights, bands and ropes), tracking progress in real time. 

“TrainingTRAX delivers a clear roadmap, keeping members locked into a rhythm that drives results,” says Smith. 

TrainingTRAX Unique Features

The technology works in unique and creative ways. Body Vision, one of the coolest features, is perhaps the biggest game-changer. It enables users to see themselves as they are today — and how they could look after completing a custom fitness challenge (or a series of them). Upload a selfie, input your current body stats, and the app generates a personalized avatar of your body. Don’t like what you see? Adjust your goals on the screen and Body Vision gives you a glimpse of your future, better-than-ever self. How’s that for motivation?

The AI Coach Chat, another innovative feature, offers exercise support and encouragement. Have a question about your routine? Need a gentle kick to get to the gym? Check in with the AI coach and it will optimize your routine, tweak your workouts or inspire you to work out on those days when you’d rather not. 

Like HOTWORX itself, TrainingTRAX offers exercise routines and recommendations that help you get the most out of your workouts and your time. Programs are designed to be efficient and effective. Whether your goals are to work off calories, build muscle or get in a regular toxin-releasing sweat, the AI coach sets you up to achieve your goals so you see real results, faster.

Just like HOTWORX members, the brand’s franchisees are also seeing results. TrainingTRAX aligns with HOTWORX’ low-labor, scalable model. Inside the infrared saunas, virtual fitness instruction plays out on TV screens (no need for trainers!), and while members have access to studios 24/7, only certain hours are staffed. TrainingTRAX gives members the support they need while helping franchisees avoid the costs of extra employees. The interactive AI platform designs custom workouts, offers advice, answers questions, cheer-leads and tracks activity and progress. HOTWORX members get the benefits of personal training without the high cost, which makes them want to come back. 

HOTWORX’ membership model maximizes revenue potential, and the short workouts allow franchisees to scale and serve more members. Exercising in an infrared sauna means members need less time to warm up, and less time per session. Isometric workouts like Hot Barre None, a ballet workout sans the barre, and Hot Buns, a glute-focused challenge, require just 30 minutes. High intensity interval training (HIIT) classes, like Hot Cycle or Hot Thunder (a water rower battle) take only 15 minutes. 

Infrared saunas keep members coming back with benefits like better mood, less stress, and post-workout, endorphin-driven highs. Smith says its continued placement in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, signals the brand’s stability, strength and performance — coincidentally some of the same benefits you can achieve through HOTWORX workouts. 

Why Some Like (Workouts) Hot

• Release endorphins. Experience post-workout highs and reduce stress. 
• Reduce muscle soreness. Increased blood flow can improve exercise recovery and help with chronic pain and joint stiffness.
• Increase your calorie burn. Get more out of exercise in less time. 
• Improve circulation. Support your cardiovascular health and help lower blood pressure.  

Learn more about owning a HOTWORX franchise. 

Flooring is one of the most visible and hard-working parts of any property, and it does not last forever. High-traffic areas wear down, design trends shift, damage happens and renovations often start from the ground up. That creates steady demand for flooring repair and replacement, especially as homeowners continue investing in remodeling projects. Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies expects homeowner improvement spending to reach $518 billion by the end of 2026, while Grand View Research projects the U.S. flooring market to grow from $35.8 billion in 2025 to $68.07 billion by 2035. For customers, the challenge is often not deciding whether they need new floors, but finding a trusted provider who makes the process simple. That is where convenient, service-focused flooring models have room to stand out.

Founder Shaun Bezuidenhout (above with family) recognized that demand and started Colorado-based Floor Crafters more than a decade ago, building on a construction career that began in 1998. “Flooring enhances the beauty of homes, improves functionality and value in an investment property, or puts the finishing touch on a commercial project,” he says.

A Mobile Showroom

The franchise model keeps overhead low with no large showroom or excess inventory. Franchise owners focus on customer service and quality installation. “We are deeply passionate about witnessing the remarkable transformation and added value that new hardwood, tile, carpet, luxury vinyl or concrete epoxy can bring to a property,” he says.

Floor Crafters began franchising in 2024 and now has eight franchised units in Texas, South Carolina and Colorado, with markets available throughout the U.S. Bezuidenhout’s goal is long-term, steady growth.

Here, we meet two of the first Floor Crafters franchisees who bet on the brand early and are already seeing results.

David Hunt, Floor Crafters in Charlotte, N.C., and parts of South Carolina

After nearly 20 years as an IT professional, David Hunt was ready to take control over his time and income. “I wanted more freedom,” he says. He explored other franchise options, but the Floor Crafters model stood out. “There was little overhead and quick returns on my investment. I don’t have a big showroom or carry a lot of inventory. I only purchase material whenever I sell a job,” he explains.

Giving up a steady paycheck worried Hunt initially, but he’s happy he overcame his fears and went for it. “I had a steady job, steady income, steady benefits,” he says. “But the thought of doing something on my own and working extra hours for myself and not someone else … that pushed me over the top.”

Hunt says the onboarding process prepared him well, with hands-on training and daily support.“It feels great knowing I’m backed by a proven system.” His advice to others? “Don’t overanalyze it. The numbers are there, and they make sense.”

Graham Whitaker, Four-territory Floor Crafters franchise owner in Colorado

Being the very first franchisee of an emerging franchise system didn’t worry Graham Whitaker. Knowing that Floor Crafters had been in business for more than 10 years put him at ease and the concept excited him. “Every house needs a floor, and that’s not going to change,” he says. “The idea of a proven brand appealed to me.”

He enjoys the variety the business brings. Each day means different homes, different clients and different projects — from small repairs to full-scale renovations. “Being able to see a dingy old house transformed into something new and modern is so rewarding,” he says.

He loves that the customer experience is designed to be easy and convenient. “You call us, we show up, we bring the samples to your doorstep and we’ll take care of the rest,” Whitaker explains.

While the first year required focus and persistence, the results have been strong. “We are making over $100,000 a month consistently now,” he says. “That’s a great win.”

Learn more about the Floor Crafters franchise opportunity.

Mike’s Red Tacos, a San Diego-based beef birria franchise, has appointed Patrick Cunningham as chief development officer. Cunningham leads the company into new markets, cultivates relationships with franchisees and drives its growth strategy. He has extensive experience in the quick-service restaurant industry, previously serving in leadership roles with Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay, Little Caesars and Inspire Brands. 

“I’ve been impressed by the momentum the Mike’s Red Tacos team has built so far,” Cunningham said. “There’s a strong foundation backed by an experienced, forward-thinking leadership team that knows how to scale a concept. Birria — a traditional, slow-cooked Mexican stew — is bringing real excitement to the fast casual segment, and Mike’s Red Tacos delivers with an authentic, craveable menu that resonates with guests. I’m excited to build on that momentum and continue growing the brand in new markets nationwide.”

Cunningham stressed the importance of creating a collaborative environment and providing his team members with the tools they need to succeed. “I believe that my role is to make sure we are delivering on a strategy at a high level, but diving in and getting into the weeds when we need to deliver what is needed. I am also emphatic about the team putting family first. There is nothing more important than prioritizing those who are closest to you.”

Vincent Montanelli, president of Mike’s Red Tacos, said Cunningham’s QSR expertise will help foster Mike’s Red Tacos’ next chapter of growth. “Patrick has an impressive track record and shares our enthusiasm for the brand. We’re thrilled to have him on board,” Montanelli said. 

QSR Veteran

Cunningham said he has found satisfaction in the QSR industry because of the opportunities it creates for entrepreneurs and the joy it brings to communities. He advises prospective franchise owners to be hands-on in their businesses to achieve the greatest success.

“Franchising does not mean a ‘business in a box.’ While the systems and processes may be in the playbook, it is up to you to execute and to execute well; you need to be very close to the business,” he said.

About Mike’s Red Tacos

Mike’s Red Tacos was founded in 2021 in a food truck by Mike Touma, who was inspired by the birria trend. Touma and his team opened a first brick-and-mortar location in 2022, followed by a second in 2024. 

Mike’s Red Tacos has received a strategic investment from a team of restaurant industry professionals to fuel national expansion. The birria brand has more than 200 franchise locations already in the pipeline and a strong social media presence, especially with millennials and Gen Z consumers.

Square Cow Moovers can lay claim to one of franchising’s most unusual origin stories. Wayne Lombard, his son, Wade, and son-in-law, Derek Mills, founded the moving company as a way to unite all of their previously scattered family members in Texas when another of Wayne’s daughters and her husband were relocating to Austin to start a church.

The whole family was ready for major changes, Wade says. “We were living in Birmingham, Ala., and began exploring business opportunities across several industries, meeting with owners and studying numbers, trying to find the right fit. One of those meetings happened in a friend’s living room with a guy who had successfully grown a moving company into multiple cities.”

How It Started

The idea was equally intriguing and scary. “We walked out of that meeting energized and terrified, but in a good way. As we planned our move to Central Texas, we started dreaming up what our version of a moving company could look like.”

With help from Wade’s college roommate, the family created the name, logo and truck design for Square Cow Square Cow Moovers. “We launched on March 1, 2008, with more optimism than experience. We had two trucks and three family members, and we were starting out in the worst economy in decades. It forced us to learn fast, stay lean and obsess over customer experience because we couldn’t afford not to. Timing-wise, it was the middle of the housing crisis, which is either terrible luck or excellent training.”

As the business matured, the three founders refined their roles. “We didn’t initially align responsibilities with strengths, and it showed at first. Over time, we got smarter,” Wade says. “Eventually, I focused on sales, brand and growth strategy. Derek led operations and execution, and Dad handled finances and fleet. Once we got in our lanes, traffic started moving a lot faster with fewer collisions.”

Wayne says the three co-founders spent about 15 years refining the model before franchising. “We wanted the systems tested, the culture clear, and the playbook proven before inviting others in. After expanding into multiple company-owned branches and seeing the brand travel well, franchising became the obvious next step. Today, we have a growing multistate franchise footprint and a strong development pipeline.”

The brand has won consumers’ hearts through its teams’ courteous, can-do attitude and guaranteed price quotes with no hidden fees. “We know that trust is cultivated through transparency. When it comes to our clients, honesty is paramount,” Wayne says. “As we expanded into new cities, we saw the brand connect again and again.”

Franchising solved growing pains for Square Cow Moovers. “The bigger constraint wasn’t demand — it was a leadership pipeline,” Wade says. “We couldn’t build great managers fast enough to match the opportunity. Franchising solved that by pairing our systems and culture with local owners who have skin in the game. That combination is powerful.”

Woven into the fabric of the Square Cow Moovers brand are the family’s faith and five core values:

• Moove with manners.
• Sweat the small stuff.
• Find a way.
• Go the extra mile.
• Grow on purpose.

“These aren’t cute slogans; they are our lifeline,” Wade says. “We spend more energy on internal marketing than external marketing. By that we mean we work hard to sell our culture to our own team first. If the people on the trucks understand exactly how we treat customers and each other, the brand takes care of itself. From how we answer the phone to how we handle a damaged item, culture is baked into the daily details. In a business where customers are often stressed, kindness and professionalism go a long way.”

About FranGrowth

To accelerate the brand’s expansion across the United States, Square Cow Moovers has partnered with the FranGrowth franchise development company. “We love everything about this brand: the leadership, their story, the model and the opportunity,” says FranGrowth founder and President, Dan Glaser. “There’s a lot to like.” FranGrowth’s portfolio of emerging franchise brands also includes Go Painting, SET THE STAGE, HomeSmiles, Hole in the Wall Drywall Repair, Hudson Valley Swim, Mr. Duct Cleaner, Floor Crafters, More Space Place and Closet & Storage Concepts. FranGrowth is a franchise development and investment firm that partners with brands built for long-term growth, strong franchisee support and scalable expansion.

The Moving Industry

The moving industry continues to offer strong opportunity because it serves a steady, essential need: people and businesses will always have to relocate, downsize, expand or start fresh. In the U.S., the moving services industry is valued at $25.7 billion in 2026, according to IBISWorld, while Technavio projects the U.S. market will grow by $4.78 billion from 2025 to 2030. For franchise brands like Square Cow Moovers, that demand creates room for trusted operators that can bring professionalism, transparency and customer care to a highly fragmented service category. 

Learn more about the Square Cow Moovers franchise opportunity.

On the heels of a strong first quarter of franchise mergers and acquisitions, franchise brands across various sectors continue to join forces. These strategic partnerships and capital infusions provide entrepreneurs with greater access to new markets, knowledgeable advisors, quality talent and more.

The increase in franchise merger and acquisition activity can be attributed to interest from private equity firms. More than 12.4% of franchise brands have PE ownership or investment backing, according to FRANdata, a franchise market research and data analytics company. Private equity firms have acquired more than a dozen franchise broker, lead generation and marketing companies since 2021, reports the Franchise Times. 

For example, after receiving backing from CNL Strategic Capital and Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, the International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG), a leading franchise growth platform, was able to strengthen its analytical infrastructure by acquiring Franchise Business Review earlier this year.

M&A activity and investments from private equity firms will continue to play a major role in franchising moving forward. Alicia Miller, managing director at FRANdata, said 2026 is shaping up to be a busy year for franchising M&A and predicted “an active and possibly crowded year” for transactions. Read on for a listing of franchise mergers and acquisitions from Q2 of 2026.  

June 2026 Franchise Mergers and Acquisitions

• Yum! Brands agreed to sell Pizza Hut for $2.7 billion to Yum China and LongRange Capital.
• Premium Service Brands, a franchisor of home services brands, acquired Wise Coatings, a residential and commercial floor coatings concept.
• Great Hill Partners took a stake in the Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming pet franchise.  

May 2026 Franchise Mergers and Acquisitions

• IFPG launched Franchise Ignition, an organic lead generation platform created through its acquisition of the new evolution of St. Jacques Marketing. 
• HomeFront Brands, a rapidly expanding residential and commercial property services franchise platform, added AdvantaClean to its portfolio.  
• Diversified Royalty agreed to acquire Mr. Lube + Tires for about $171.3 million.
• Spark Harbor, a franchisor focused on youth enrichment and activity brands, announced its acquisition of the Bach to Rock music school franchise.
• A Texas bankruptcy court approved the sale of FAT Brands’ portfolio of restaurants to multiple buyers.

April 2026 Franchise Mergers and Acquisitions

• IFPG acquired Business Alliance Inc. (BAI), a franchise broker organization.  
• New York Butcher Shoppe received a strategic investment from The Foundry Group to support the brand’s growth.
• Extraordinary Brands, an umbrella franchisor of boutique fitness brands, added Basecamp Fitness to its portfolio. 
• Five Star Franchising, a platform of home service brands, acquired and launched Five Star Flooring.
• Tiger Global Management invested in PopUp Bagels, which now claims a valuation of $300 million.
• SSCP Management purchased Logan’s Roadhouse from SPB Hospitality for an undisclosed amount. 
• Flynn Group, widely recognized as the world’s largest operator of franchises, tripled its Planet Fitness holdings by purchasing the 98-unit Grand Fitness Partners franchisee.  
• Crux Capital, a Dallas-based private equity firm that partners with family- and founder-owned businesses, invested in Ivybrook Academy.  
• Real Brokerage Inc. announced its plans to purchase RE/MAX Holdings Inc. for $880 million. The transaction is expected to close later in the year.
• Sixth Form Partners completed its majority investment in Morrow Hill, a Dallas-based commercial real estate firm.

• Many aspiring entrepreneurs seek intangible benefits such as a sense of purpose when considering the type of business to start.
• Senior care franchises offer rewards beyond revenue, such as the ability to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
• Demographic shifts resulting from increasing life expectancies and decreasing birth rates demonstrate the growing need for elderly care services.

When people think about starting a business, the conversation often centers on revenue, flexibility and long-term growth. Those things matter, of course. But for many aspiring entrepreneurs, something else drives the decision: the desire to do work that feels meaningful. That’s where care services stand out.

Senior care franchises, in particular, offer a rare combination of purpose and opportunity. Business ownership is not just about building something profitable, but about making a real difference in people’s lives every single day.

Business Built Around People, not Products

Unlike many industries, senior care services are deeply personal. At the heart of the work is helping older adults live with dignity, comfort and independence, often during a stage of life when support matters most.

For senior care franchise owners, this means the impact is immediate and tangible. You’re not just selling a service, you are helping families feel supported, easing daily challenges and providing reassurance during emotionally important moments.

That sense of purpose can be incredibly motivating. Many entrepreneurs find that care services bring a different kind of satisfaction. The work feels connected to the community and rooted in relationships, not transactions. Over time, those relationships build trust, loyalty and a strong reputation, all of which contribute to a healthier business.

Exploring franchise opportunities in senior care allows entrepreneurs to step into a model designed around compassion, while still benefiting from structure and support.

Why Demand for Senior Care Continues to Grow

The need for senior care services is not a passing trend. It is driven by long-term demographic shifts resulting from increasing life expectancies and declining birth rates, which continue to shape communities across the country, according to the Pew Research Center. The number of Americans ages 65 and older is expected to reach 80 million by 2040, which is more than double the number in 2000, while the number of those ages 85 and older is expected to quadruple during the same period, according to The Urban Institute.

As people live longer and families juggle busy schedules, the demand for in-home support continues to rise. More families are choosing care solutions that allow loved ones to stay in familiar environments rather than moving into residential facilities. This has created consistent, growing demand for services that support daily living, companionship and overall well-being. For entrepreneurs, this means entering a market with staying power.

Senior care is not seasonal or dependent on changing consumer habits. It’s a service people rely on year-round, often for extended periods of time. Well-established senior care franchises help new owners meet this demand by providing operational systems, training and guidance, even for those without prior experience in healthcare or caregiving.

Purpose and Profitability Can Coexist

There is a common misconception that purpose-driven businesses must sacrifice profitability. In senior care, the opposite is often true. When services are delivered with care and consistency, families notice, and they stay.

Strong relationships lead to repeat business, referrals and long-term engagement. This creates stability and predictability, which are critical for sustainable growth. At the same time, owners can feel confident that their work is contributing positively to the community.

Care services also tend to offer flexible growth paths. Owners can scale gradually, adding staff or services as demand increases, without the pressure to expand too quickly. This balance allows for thoughtful growth that aligns with both business goals and personal values.

The Value of Support when Starting a Care-Based Business

Starting any business comes with challenges, and care services are no exception. Regulations, staffing and service standards all require careful attention. This is where franchising can make a meaningful difference.

Franchise models often provide comprehensive training, established processes and ongoing support. Instead of building everything from scratch, owners can focus on leading teams, serving clients and growing within their local communities. For entrepreneurs transitioning from other industries, this support can be especially valuable. It reduces uncertainty and helps new owners avoid common pitfalls, while still allowing them to operate independently.

By exploring reputable franchise opportunities, entrepreneurs gain access to experience, resources and systems that help them launch with confidence rather than guesswork.

A Business that Grows Alongside the Community

One of the most appealing aspects of senior care services is their long-term potential. As communities evolve, care needs change, creating opportunities to expand services or adapt offerings over time.

This flexibility allows owners to grow at a pace that fits their goals and lifestyle. Some choose to scale quickly, while others prefer steady, sustainable growth. Either approach can be successful when built on a strong foundation.

Care services also tend to foster a sense of connection. Owners often become familiar faces in their communities, known not just as business leaders but as trusted partners in care. That reputation can be professionally and personally rewarding.

Entrepreneurship with Lasting Impact

For those seeking more than a traditional business, senior care offers a compelling path forward. Senior care franchise ownership provides a way to support others, strengthen communities and build a venture that truly changes lives.

Move over Messi and Ronaldo! Make room, soccer legends, for the breakout star of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ranch dressing!

America’s favorite condiment, which flavors just about everything from salads, chips and pizza to chicken wings and burgers, is gaining international celebrity. World Cup fans attending matches in the U.S. have developed a ranch dressing obsession and have even tried to smuggle bottles of the creamy, savory buttermilk-based sauce through airport security, prompting the Transportation Security Administration to issue warnings.

“If you’re visiting for a very large sporting event & you happen to discover RANCH while you’re here…pls pack it in your CHECKED BAG on the way home!” the TSA posted, adding this cheeky follow-up, “ok please avoid chugging your ranch outside security the airlines will check it for you.”

Franchisors Offer Welcomes, Invitations, Opinions

“We’re thrilled to welcome World Cup visitors to Kansas City and share a true taste of American breakfast and lunch culture, including plenty of ranch, of course,” says Scott Jayne, vice president of operations for The Big Biscuit, which has locations in and around Kansas City, Mo., and in nearby states. “Whether it’s cooling down our Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, topping our Boss Tom Turkey Sandwich or dipping our hand-breaded chicken tenders, ranch is one of those classic American flavors we love sharing with guests from around the world.”

From East Coast Wings + Grill, which boasts numerous locations including one in World Cup host city Philadelphia: “It’s been fun watching the rest of the world discover something Americans have loved for decades. Around here, ranch has always been more than a dressing or dip – it’s part of the flavor experience,” Chief Marketing Officer Ashley Mitchell says. “Several of our signature flavors incorporate ranch as part of their flavor profile. Guests use it differently depending on their preferences, from cooling down hotter heat levels to pairing it with homemade chips or fries. Ranch isn’t an afterthought; it’s integrated throughout the menu.”

And this from Eric Slaymaker, co-founder and CEO of Wingers Alehouse, which has restaurants throughout the Mountain West and Midwest (but not in a host city, which does not dissuade him from making this pitch): “Of course, international travelers love ranch dressing. At Wingers Alehouse, the only thing better than our signature housemade ranch dressing is Wingers Alehouse wings and Sticky Fingers in our Original Amazing Sauce with a side of our signature housemade ranch – paired with a Winger Bros. Brewing craft beer.”

And then, there’s this, from Nikolaus von Solodkoff, founder and CEO of Döner Haus, which brought Berlin-style döner kebabs to the U.S. and recently opened a new store in West Palm Beach, Fla., just up the coast from World Cup host city Miami. Although Döner Haus does not serve ranch dressing, the German-born von Solodkoff nevertheless has an opinion.

“I find the ranch dressing obsession very funny because Europeans love to make fun of American food, and then they arrive here and immediately discover the most American sauce imaginable. Suddenly they’re very quiet, dipping fries into ranch like it’s the second coming of Jesus,” von Solodkoff says.

“At Döner Haus, our creamy garlic sauce is not ranch, but I would say it is in the same family of sauces that make people happy across the globe. Garlic yogurt sauce naturally came first because Europeans and people across the Mediterranean have been putting yogurt, garlic and herbs on meat forever. The sauce is dignified, with centuries of usage behind it. Ranch is the slutty American cousin who showed up later, lost all sense of boundaries, turned a respectable family gathering into a Vegas weekend and then refused to leave. Wrong on every level. I’m a big fan.”

And with that, we offer a few takes on ranch dressing, provided by these and other favorite restaurant franchises.

East Coast Wings + Grill: More than a Dip or Dressing

East Coast Wings + Grill, known for its Buffalo-style wings, offers more than 50 distinct flavors including Signature Ranch, Bacon Ranch and Cajun Ranch, as well as seven heat levels ranging from “virgin” to “insanity.” That’s more than 420 combinations! “When you offer more than 50 flavors and seven heat levels, ranch becomes more than a dip or dressing. It becomes part of how guests customize their meal and dining experience,” says Mitchell.

The Signature Ranch so inspired restaurant guest Emma Campbell of Albemarle, N.C., that she combined it with sweet and bold barbecue sauce to create Carolina Ranch, which she entered in East Coast Wings’ annual Fan Flavor Showdown. Carolina Ranch is one of three finalists, along with BBQ Peppercorn and Korean Thai. The winning entry will be announced on National Chicken Wing Day July 29, and earn a $2,500 prize and a permanent place on East Coast Wings + Grill’s menu.

Jimmy John’s: Eat It With a Spoon

When Jimmy John’s took its Kickin’ Ranch off the menu in 2024, the uproar from customers was ferocious, even spawning a change.org petition to bring back the creamy, spicy sauce. Fans claimed Kickin’ Ranch was so good they could eat it with a spoon, so Jimmy John’s responded with a limited-time Kickin’ Ranch “Soup” in a 6-ounce container (above) large enough for optimal sandwich dipping – or eating with a spoon.

Today, Jimmy John’s offers two ranch-enhanced wraps: the Buffalo Ranch Chicken Wrap and the Kickin’ Ranch Chicken Wrap. Both feature all-natural chicken, onion, tomato and lettuce in a soft tortilla. The Buffalo Ranch Chicken Wrap also includes the medium Buffalo sauce from Buffalo Wild Wings, a sister company under the Inspire Brands umbrella, as well as Homestyle Ranch, crispy carrot noodles and sliced celery. Kickin’ Ranch Chicken Wrap also includes provolone cheese, signature Jimmy Peppers, red pepper flakes and that creamy, spicy Kickin’ Ranch, of course!

The Big Biscuit: Quintessentially American

It might seem unusual to feel homesick if you’re surrounded by tens of thousands of your homies rooting for your home team at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium. But, just in case, The Big Biscuit has some hometown hospitality and a big plate of comfort food ready for World Cup fans. The Big Biscuit has been serving all-American breakfast and lunch favorites since its founding in 2000 in Independence, Mo. Franchising since 2019, the brand has expanded beyond the Show Me State into other states including Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Known for its award-winning biscuits and gravy, benedicts, plate-sized buttermilk pancakes and “impossibly generous portions,” The Big Biscuit also boasts a Big Lunch menu featuring burgers, sandwiches and chicken. America’s favorite condiment plays a key role in The Boss Tom sandwich loaded with shaved, oven-roasted turkey, bacon, tomatoes, Monterey Jack and ranch dressing on griddled sourdough. Ranch dressing also complements the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich (above) seasoned with Nashville hot spices and topped with lettuce, tomatoes and pickles on a griddled brioche bun. And for those seeking a quintessential American meal: a basket of hand-breaded chicken tenders with a side of ranch.

Wingers Alehouse: All American

The Wingers Alehouse franchise has evolved from its humble roots as the tiny Wingers American Diner founded more than 30 years ago in Bountiful, Utah. Back then, chicken wings were just gaining popularity in the U.S. But founders and brothers Eric and Scott Slaymaker envisioned greatness for what once was considered a poultry byproduct.

Today, Wingers Alehouse is well known for its fresh, hand-breaded bone-in wings and boneless Sticky Fingers, which come with a choice of 16 different sauces or rubs including Wingers Original Amazing Sauce, and, of course, made-from-scratch ranch dressing! And while Wingers Alehouse stays true to its successful franchise strategy of operating in smaller to mid-sized markets, big things are happening for “America’s Small-Town Alehouse.” Consider “Alehouse 101,” Wingers’ successful alehouse concept featuring a spiffy new interior and architectural design prototype and even more beer – up to 101 varieties including regional craft brews.

Wingstop: Pulling Out All the Stops

Wingstop, headquartered in World Cup host city Dallas, is generating its own excitement with new ranch products and activities. Wingstop’s House of Flavor fan experience features sauced-and-tossed wings, gameday watch parties, live DJs, merchandise, free tattoos and even a barber providing soccer-inspired cuts! If that’s not enough, Wingstop feeds guests’ ranch depression obsession with Ranch Bottle Service! House of Flavor, previously held through June in Toronto, runs through July 3 at The Bomb Factory in Dallas. Both sites also hosted one-night-only performances by hip hop artist FERG.

Wingstop serves fresh classic and boneless wings, tenders and chicken sandwiches in 12 bold, distinctive flavors, alongside signature sides and housemade ranch and bleu cheese dips. The brand’s ranch dressing has attracted a cult-like following, with fans debating the ingredients online and creating copycat recipes. An online auction in 2025 of an exclusive bottle plus a year’s supply of ranch netted $1,750 for Wingstop Charities.

The brand recently celebrated National Ranch Day on March 10 by releasing its limited-edition Big A$$ Ranch Cup, a 32-ounce stainless steel collectible filled with the brand’s iconic sauce, which was created for fans “who prefer their ranch with a side of wings.” And Wingstop continues to innovate with flavor, recently launching a new Chamoy Ranch, a sweet and savory twist on the brand’s iconic ranch.

• Cork & Candles is a candle-making franchise built around creativity, connection and memorable guest experiences.
• The father-son team of Kenny and Dave Straub is carrying on a family legacy of entrepreneurship.
• The brand taps into experiential retail by blending hands-on candle making, events and entertainment.

Cork & Candles may be an emerging franchise brand, but the father and son behind it are not new to franchising or business. Dave Straub spent much of his career building companies and operating franchises. His son, Kenny, worked in the family’s stores throughout his childhood. “Growing up, my parents owned two ice cream franchises in the Philadelphia market,” Kenny says. “I always loved working in their stores. After college, I began a career in private equity, but I wanted to be more entrepreneurial and build something for myself.”

Kenny brought the idea for Cork & Candles to his father after studying experience-based businesses. He was onto something. Experiential retail continues to gain traction as consumers look for more than a transaction. Gensler’s 2024 U.S. Consumer Experience Report found that people are twice as likely to spend extra money on experiences than material goods, creating opportunity for franchise brands that turn everyday activities into memorable moments.

Cork & Candles blends retail, entertainment and events. The candle-making franchise allows guests to create custom candles in an interactive workshop, and offers a business model that doesn’t require long hours or operational complexity. Dave was all in on launching the business, not just because of the strong concept and the chance to work alongside his son, but because he saw an opportunity to continue building on the family’s entrepreneurial legacy.

Dave’s father, an artist who worked in wood, painting, metal, fabric and wax, introduced him to candle making when he was just 12 years old. Together, they studied books, experimented with supplies and learned the craft side by side. As his skills developed, Dave narrowed his focus to three designs: a Christmas tree candle, a tapered candle and an ice box candle. What began as a creative project soon became a real business. He loaded his samples into a wagon, went door-to-door to take orders and then returned home to handcraft and deliver each candle himself.

“Besides grass cutting and newspaper delivering, candle making was my first venture into entrepreneurship,” he says.

His childhood experience gave him an appreciation for the science behind candle making and a love of creating something meaningful with his hands. Today, the Christmas tree candle is part of Cork & Candles’ December novelty collection.

“It is very rewarding to understand the properties of the different types of wax and then to use that understanding to make candles that are a work of art,” he says. “Although I love the art aspect, the truth is Cork & Candles is a space where friends can gather to make memories. We guide our guests through the process with ease, allowing them to put their energies into having fun. Everyone goes home having had a great time and they take with them candles to keep that memory alive.”

The Experience

“The Cork & Candles experience feels more like a night out than a class. Our job is to facilitate fun,” Kenny says. Most guests book online and typically come for 90-minute sessions. Guests choose from a scent library that has more than 45 different fragrances, then staff members guide them through blending and pouring. “Every candle is completely custom,” Kenny says. “And we accelerate the cooling process so guests can go home with their candles at the end of their visit. It’s an experience where nobody has to be artsy. You could be a first-time candle maker, or you could have made candles for a living and the end product’s going to be the same.”

Because Cork & Candles is BYOB, customers often treat it like a social event. “They come for birthdays, date nights and anniversaries,” Kenny says. “Our nature is to socialize, and we all saw how important that was after the COVID pandemic. The timing is right to be in this growing space of experiential retail.”

Cork & Candles also hosts team-building events. “Companies like Vanguard have done 20-plus events at our store,” Dave says. The brand has built-in repeat business through multiple revenue streams. “We have the signature experience, a novelty experience that rotates monthly and a retail section.”

The Franchise Opportunity

Offering franchise opportunities since 2023, Cork & Candles has one franchise open and eight others in development. The stores can fit in 1,500-to-2,500-square-foot retail spaces and the buildout is simple. “Once the lease is signed, a store can be open within three months,” Dave says.

The Straubs are looking for candidates who genuinely enjoy being around people and love service and hospitality. The model works for owner-operators, but can also support multi-unit growth over time. “We understand what it feels like to take the leap, and we’ve built the support system we once wished we had in our own businesses,” Dave says. “We want to provide the assistance to our franchisees because our success only happens if they’re successful.”

Learn more about the Cork & Candles franchise opportunity.

Slick City Action Park, an indoor slide and action park franchise, has named Josh Cole chief marketing officer. Cole began consulting with CEO Bron Launsby during the brand’s early stages and has since played a key role in laying the groundwork for the company’s franchise growth. 

“I was immediately interested in the concept because I could imagine Slick City resonating with a wide range of guests, including parents who want to participate and not just watch,” Cole said. “Guest data has proven this to be true: Over 25% are adults, primarily parents alongside their kids. I enjoy working in the location-based entertainment industry because scaling an experience that friends and family enjoy together brings me joy. The opportunity to turn a young company that’s now just entering new markets into a well-known national brand excites me.”

Cole said building upon the existing franchisee support infrastructure is key to the brand’s growth. “One of the most important things a franchisor can do to strengthen its marketing initiatives is establish genuine feedback loops with franchisees. This creates opportunities to gather meaningful insights about recent programs and identify ways to improve them moving forward. Effective franchisor teams actively seek out this feedback and listen carefully to what franchisees have to say. While not every suggestion will be actionable, many will provide valuable perspectives and practical ideas. Time and again, franchisors that remain open to learning from their franchisees — and willing to act on those insights — see significant benefits.”

Launsby said bringing Cole onto the leadership team full-time is a natural next step. “His track record of building category-defining brands and supporting franchisees at scale makes him uniquely qualified to help lead Slick City’s next chapter,” Launsby said.

Franchising Experience 

Cole has spent the last two decades building high-growth consumer and franchise brands, such as Sky Zone, TITLE Boxing Club, Sandbox VR and The NOW Massage. During his tenure as CMO of Sky Zone, Cole helped expand the brand from 80 to more than 200 locations across 10 countries. His previous experience also includes serving as vice president of digital marketing and e-commerce for Universal Studios Hollywood, where his accomplishments included growing the park’s direct-to-consumer revenue and social media presence.

Cole credited his family for instilling a love of marketing. His grandfather owned a small advertising agency, his mother was a graphic designer and his father worked in corporate marketing. 

“I still love the creative aspects of marketing, but the work is most rewarding when it drives results,” Cole said. “When you see increased revenue and business expansion or franchisees creating more jobs in their markets and generating earnings for their families, that’s what makes it all worth it.”

He holds a master’s degree from the University of Chicago, bachelor’s degree from Boston University and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences, including Brandweek and Adweek events. When he’s off the clock, Cole enjoys hiking, bike riding, swimming and playing pickleball with his family. 

About Slick City Action Park

Founded in 2021 by Bron Launsby and Gary Schmit, Slick City aims to offer a one-of-a-kind experience designed for people of all ages. The brand maintains all innovation processes in-house through its partnership with Slick Slide Co. Slick City Action City has 40 open locations and 110 more in development.

The most successful emerging brands today are those able to target an unmet need and then provide an exceptional solution. Such is the case with Hole in the Wall Drywall Repair, which focuses exclusively on repairing the everyday holes, cracks, water damage and wear and tear on drywall that homeowners and businesses constantly face, but often don’t know who to call to fix. It may not be the sexiest business, but drywall repair is a growing industry that remains largely underserved. The global drywall repair services market was valued at $5.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $10.22 billion by 2033, according to The Brainy Insights. For a specialized brand, that leaves plenty of room to grow.

Bill DeMent recognized that and built a specialized brand to fill the holes in the market. Since it began franchising in 2021, Hole in the Wall Drywall Repair has awarded 18 locations with 48 territories sold, including 40 new territories added within the last year. “This rapid growth reflects both the strength of the franchise system and the growing national demand for specialized drywall repair services,” says James Groves, president of Hole in the Wall Drywall Repair.

Years in the Making

DeMent was running a successful painting and drywall business in Orlando, Fla., in 2010 when he began building the model for what would become Hole in the Wall Drywall Repair. Then he spent a dozen years refining the concept. Groves, a former executive in entertainment, joined the company in 2013, creating scalable systems that could support long-term growth.

Two milestones confirmed they were onto something. The first was consistent and organic five-star reviews for their work. Second, the business doubled in size each of the first four years, a clear signal of both demand and scalability.

By 2017, Hole in the Wall Drywall Repair was performing nearly 2,000 repairs annually, proving that drywall repair could be a focused and highly profitable niche. And with 97% of the homes in the U.S. built with drywall, a soft material that is easily damaged, it’s also a repeatable business. Data Insights Market projects that the industry, valued at just over $8 billion in 2026, will grow at a rate of 15% a year through 2030.

Why Franchise?

“Hole in the Wall Drywall Repair is a low-investment opportunity with a high probability of quick profitability,” Groves says. The total investment ranges from $82,500-$130,000 with multi-territories available. Franchisees can operate a home-based business with small crews, minimal equipment and no need for a storefront or large warehouse. The lean model affords owners an easy way to scale.

The focus is on high-margin repair work, not full installations or large construction projects. Drywall or construction experience is not required, but owners do need the discipline to follow a proven system and the desire to build something meaningful. Franchisees benefit from centralized marketing, a proven CRM system, documented processes and comprehensive training that covers operations, sales and customer service.

“Our goal is to make the business easy to understand, easy to duplicate and capable of getting franchisees profitable quickly,” he says.

No Cracks in Sight

The focus now is on sustainable expansion. With the proven expertise of FranGrowth franchise development company behind it, Hole in the Wall projects to award 15 to 20 new franchise locations this year, including in major markets such as Nashville, Boston and Philadelphia.

“We are excited about working with Bill and James and their team as they thrive and grow,” says FranGrowth founder and President Dan Glaser. “They’ve created a simple franchise platform built on excellence and consistency and we can’t wait to see how far they can take it.”

About FranGrowth

Hole in the Wall Drywall Repair is part of FranGrowth’s portfolio of emerging franchise brands, which also includes Go Painting, SET THE STAGE, HomeSmiles, Square Cow Moovers, Hudson Valley Swim, Mr. Duct Cleaner, Floor Crafters, More Space Place and Closet & Storage Concepts. FranGrowth is a franchise development and investment firm that partners with brands built for long-term growth, strong franchisee support and scalable expansion.

Learn more about the Hole in the Wall Drywall Repair franchise opportunity.

Homeowners and property managers are often forced to juggle multiple vendors just to keep properties maintained. Gorilla Property Services set out to change that. The brand built its reputation in Canada as a trusted, one-stop provider for exterior home and property services. Now, as the brand expands into the U.S., President Andrew Edwards is bringing both that proven business model and years of his own franchisee experience to the opportunity.

“I’ve been where all the candidates have been,” he says. Before leading Gorilla Property Services, Edwards spent years as a franchisee in the home restoration space, operating within a challenging model with unclear systems. After eventually selling his business, he set out to find and build a more dependable operation.

The answer was Gorilla Property Services, a locally-owned business operating in Canada. “I saw tremendous opportunity,” he says. Edwards acquired the brand in 2020 and transformed it into a franchise system with clear processes and repeatable systems.

Broad Customer Base

One of Gorilla’s biggest advantages is the size and consistency of its market. “We do exterior cleaning and maintenance with property managers, facility managers, shopping centers and homeowners. So every building that you drive by in your community is a potential customer of ours,” Edwards says.

Gorilla is positioned as a one-stop exterior services provider, with a service mix built around required, ongoing maintenance — from power washing to dryer vent cleaning and more. That bundled approach allows franchisees to become a single point of contact, helping them secure recurring contracts and build long-term customer relationships rather than relying on one-off jobs.

Built to Scale

Gorilla Property Services is a home-based, mobile franchise with no brick-and-mortar requirement at startup. Franchisees begin with a protected territory, a fully equipped van or truck and training, then scale by adding crews and vehicles as demand grows.

Technology plays a key role in day-to-day operations. “We’ve created a CRM system that helps franchisees manage the business right on their phone or laptop,” he says. The platform supports scheduling, quoting, dispatch, employee management, marketing, reporting and accounting integration, all streamlining operations and minimizing administrative work.

Edwards is working on developing national partnerships with retailers and property management companies so franchisees can step into existing business. “We have literally every Home Depot in Canada. As we build out the U.S., it is going to be all about national accounts.”

Growth Plans

With more than 50 locations in Canada, Gorilla Property Services is now laying the groundwork for U.S. expansion, beginning with a test operation in Henderson, Nev. To support its U.S. franchise development efforts, Edwards is working with Franchise FastLane. “They are such a delight to work with, and we have had some great traction already,” he says.

Gorilla supports both hands-on and semi-absentee ownership. Owner-operators are typically involved in early sales, relationship-building and operations. Executive owners invest more upfront and hire leadership to manage daily operations and business development. When evaluating potential franchisees, Edwards prioritizes mindset over background. “It takes hours. It takes time. It takes a lot of dedication to be able to grow something and it’s also very rewarding when you do so.”

Exterior Services

Gorilla Property Services provides exterior cleaning and maintenance services for residential and commercial properties. The brand is designed to be a one-call solution for property managers, facility managers and homeowners seeking reliable, recurring service from a single vendor.

Core services include:

• Window cleaning.
• Roof cleaning.
• House washing.
• Pressure washing.
• Gutter cleaning.
• Dryer vent cleaning.
• Graffiti removal.
• Christmas light hanging.
• Snow removal and salting.

Learn more about the Gorilla Property Systems franchise opportunity.

Slim Chickens, a leading fast-casual franchise, has named Shakon “Shak” Turner vice president of domestic franchise growth. Turner is responsible for strengthening the brand’s franchisee pipeline and expanding its footprint across traditional and non-traditional formats.

“What really stood out to me about Slim Chickens was the balance between a differentiated guest experience and a model that’s clearly built to scale. The brand has built strong momentum, but it’s doing so in a disciplined and intentional way,” she said.

“I was also drawn to the flexibility of the concept. Between traditional restaurants, fly-thru, or drive-thru-only, locations and non-traditional opportunities, there’s still a significant amount of whitespace for growth while maintaining a strong brand identity and operational consistency. I’m excited about the opportunity to continue building strong markets with experienced operators while supporting long-term, sustainable growth for the brand.”

The restaurant industry veteran has previously served in leadership roles with Dunkin’, Baskin-Robbins, Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop and Galardi Group Inc. She said those experiences taught her that strong franchise development is about identifying the right markets, building strong partnerships and ensuring brands have the infrastructure to scale. “That perspective aligns very well with where Slim Chickens is today and where the brand is headed next.”

Slim Chickens has already opened 10 new locations so far this year. She credited the fast-casual brand’s strong positioning to its clear identity, which is rooted in menu variety and Southern hospitality. “The brand’s focus on choice and customization resonates strongly with today’s consumers, while its flexible formats and operational simplicity position it well for continued growth.”

Matt Green, chief development officer for Slim Chickens, said Turner “brings a level of discipline and strategic thinking that will help us continue building strong markets with experienced operators, while maintaining the consistency and performance that define the Slim Chickens brand.”

Turner, who lives with her family in Texas, enjoys scuba diving and has been fortunate to dive in beautiful places around the world, including Komodo National Park in Indonesia.

About Slim Chickens 

Slim Chickens opened in 2003 in Fayetteville, Ark. The brand’s menu features chicken tenders, fresh salads, sandwiches, chicken and waffles, chicken wings and side items, alongside 14 house dipping sauces. Since its founding, Slim Chickens has grown to nearly 300 locations in 32 U.S. states and internationally in the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Turkey and the Philippines.