Notable Regional Developments of Brand Growth

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Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Everyone desires to understand: How do you win in franchising? And every year, Business owner publishes the world's biggest response to that.

This year, Business owner evaluated 1,354 overall franchise brands. 5 hundred of them made the ranking and those 500 represent an outsized 89% of all units from the brands that applied.

They specify the industry. The brands on the Franchise 500 are truly the biggest representation of what's operating in franchising today. From July 2024 to July 2025 (which is the timeframe we tracked information), general franchise growth slowed however the very best business still pulled ahead. Ranked business grew 2.71%, compared to 3.49% the year before.

Will 2026 Be a Year for Major Growth

Ranked companies added 14,562 new units, while all business combined included 15,631 meaning ranked companies represented 93.16% of all development. U.S. franchise unit development in fact ticked upward for ranked business: +8,620 U.S. franchises (2.81%), compared to +8,140 (2.73%) the prior year. Company-owned systems saw almost no change a net boost of just 80 throughout the entire data set.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

That last bullet is particularly intriguing. Corporate-owned growth is slowing, which could indicate a chance: Lots of franchisors seem selling business locations to franchisees. For newcomers or existing franchisees wanting to scale, this may be a moment to obtain an unit that's already operational. Quick-service dining establishments remain the largest classification in franchising, however even here, modification is underway.

The category continues to dominate the upper tier, representing half of the top 10 and 34 of the leading 100 companies. Beyond QSR, other categories are improving the landscape: We're seeing development in Financial Solutions, Children's Organizations, and Personal Care Services. Health & Wellness held consistent at 34 ranked companies, however eight landed in the leading 100evidence of strong demand.

We included 3 new subcategories there hormone replacement therapy, mobility items & services, and urgent/primary care clinics to represent the particular development in those locations. Here are some other emerging areas we're seeing, which we have actually produced new subcategories for: networking groups, indication maintenance/installation, indoor air quality services, skin care, recreational tours, virtual reality, and senior transition/relocation services.

New Growth Updates and Global Milestone Gains

Some are longstanding brand names fine-tuning tested systems. Some are brand-new principles capitalizing on fresh need.

It's a map of where franchising is, where it's going, and where opportunity may lie particularly for novice buyers browsing for the best fit. Sign up for our weekly Franchise newsletter to get the most current franchise news, recommendations and opportunities.

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