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When looking into franchising, there are several brands that inevitably come up as off-limits. For example, brands like <a href="https://1851franchise.com/why-starbucks-wont-franchise-2715689">Starbucks</a>, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-2500th-chipotle-just-opened-2709116">Chipotle</a> and <a href="https://1851franchise.com/sorry-you-cant-franchise-with-in-n-out-and-bring-it-to-the-east-coast---heres-why-2717750">In-N-Out</a> may seem like they’d be among the most popular franchise concepts, but they are actually 100% <a href="https://1851franchise.com/what-is-the-difference-between-a-small-business-and-a-franchise-2716491">corporate-owned</a> — instead of being owned/operated by individual franchise owners, each location is owned by the company and run by hired managers. But there are also brands that fall into the opposite category: They seem like they’d be corporate-run but they are actually available for franchising.&nbsp;Here are five of the top brands many people may not know are franchises.&nbsp;<h4><a href="https://about.ikea.com/en/about-us/the-ikea-franchise-system?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-brands-you-didnt-know-were-franchises-2718114" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">IKEA</a></h4><figure class="image"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/qm-Vhadws-QFPWubay5od6ci9dB7msLOFWMr9rF8OX31741dBLbcUDmZhVImWZ_YsyszGy1C-a1BFvyhXnEipR9ebyLagQrrF5veG6uz-QFpiTP9lnP1TODtj7AbTuhsvlaSdPk_"></figure>With 360 stores worldwide, this Swedish retail juggernaut is arguably one of the world’s most recognizable furniture brands, thanks in large part to its unmistakable blue-and-yellow storefronts and hyper-affordable prices. Many people may not know it, but the brand has actually been <a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-do-you-open-an-ikea-franchise-2716295">franchising</a> since day one. Still, while IKEA is technically a franchise, investment opportunities are not available to the typical type of individual entrepreneur or small organization common to franchising. To open an IKEA franchise, large ownership groups invest significant capital — upwards of $100 million for each location — and agree to manage all of the stores in a specific country.<h4><a href="https://www.theupsstorefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-brands-you-didnt-know-were-franchises-2718114" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The UPS Store</a></h4><figure class="image"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6Vb3Z2ukVFSQsYGtd2M8j3pEvNxPvDWe6bAb8AwnPaFQ5vOQod2vM6fNRQPe7caXcg_YvDH4oOzqeA72A0WGFctTyomC88paOrzbJAUHmhCjQFdZk9wagAyyBkEYRt9OIHra7eB"></figure>After being founded in 1907 as the American Messenger Service, UPS was rebranded to the United Parcel Service in 1919. This brand is highly recognizable, yet not many are aware that they could own their <a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-the-ups-store-continues-to-deliver-innovative-solutions-in-one-of-the-most-long-established-industries-2716781#featured">franchise location</a>. And it's not just any franchise opportunity — the shipping and receiving giant has ranked first in the postal and business services category of the <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500/2021?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-brands-you-didnt-know-were-franchises-2718114" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Franchise 500</a> list for the past 30 years and consistently ranks in the top five overall.<h4><a href="https://wahlburgers.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-brands-you-didnt-know-were-franchises-2718114" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Wahlburgers</a>&nbsp;</h4><figure class="image"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/gT4AvuxKYVUnvVtKgDkDBrDGqKLL57Q6TaT-6wejO22MGO-c2xMgfPHEPsNrE3uV4EM8-yrasTYlYNdI4H59VErAntTHdCB-ry7WtescC2ifb_HrgWxsKB91dukNFxgDGmJO-kHh"></figure>Believe it or not, you don’t have to be a Wahlberg to open up your own Wahlburgers. This restaurant concept deceives many exploring franchise opportunities due to the high-profile nature of its famous founders, Mark, Donnie and <a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-franchise-worlds-favorite-wahlberg-brother-2716789">Paul Wahlberg</a>, but ownership is not exclusive to celebrities. The Wahlburgers brand is available to franchising, and franchisees across the U.S. have helped establish the brand as more than just a famous name.<h4><a href="https://www.franchisedirect.com/travelfranchises/hilton-hotels-resorts-franchise-08360/ufoc/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-brands-you-didnt-know-were-franchises-2718114" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Hilton Franchise</a></h4><figure class="image"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/jIOPdT020-il1k7IecgPuQXdCP47-meEknC9EMiFl33XaahlTL3rnwvglKItahoFomC9vG_8CMVI--Naow_2JGCu79I1lHttAay-1DsKT-1qcxp4UNi-3UUVWNw6o3NUajKlU0mO"></figure>The hotel industry is not typically associated with the classic franchise model, but Hilton gives franchisees the opportunity to become an owner of one of the most famous hotel chains in the world. Hilton has been franchising for over five decades, and also offers several other investment opportunities under its umbrella, including Conrad Hotels, Doubletree and the Hilton Garden Inn.<h4><a href="https://smallbusiness.chron.com/own-levis-jeans-store-franchise-18788.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-brands-you-didnt-know-were-franchises-2718114" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Levi's</a></h4><figure class="image"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Ivf_boHuh2-iMcpBpkskSwKLEJijZWh5gzWrdkVO3mLb-3XwQ1uqdzUSrNKxQg-kDGNZogXH6girrGSgVaza8--eZCawOM9RN8H17OM4eARw3-HfEPHGPHfK93URAZczivTzj91_"></figure>The inventors of the first blue jean have come to define the wardrobes of both past and present,&nbsp; but many entrepreneurs may not realize they have an opportunity to invest in a piece of history themselves by opening a storefront of their own. The classic clothing retailer, which was established in 1953, began offering franchise opportunities just 10 years later in 1965.&nbsp;

5 Brands You Didn’t Know Were Franchises

1851 Franchise

From IKEA to UPS, here are a few of the brands that people may not associate with a franchised business model. 

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TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue Featured in USA Today as Key Player in Helping Seniors Age Safely at Home

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Right at Home

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth, Tech Advancements, and Strong System Engagement in First Half of 2025

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KidStrong Franchising, LLC

Unlocking Superpowers: How KidStrong Is Building the Next Generation of Confident Kids — and Thriving Franchise Owners

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Image of a kid growing up, developing with kidstrong, high fiving and smiling. 

How KidStrong has Become the Franchise Disrupting Child Development by Partnering with Purpose-Driven Franchise Owners 

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Picture of kids for franchise business Kidstrong which focuses on child development and fitness

KidStrong Is Pediatrician-Recommended for Raising Confident, Capable Kids and Families Can't Get Enough

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August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

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What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

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Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

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Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

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Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

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From Franchisee to Franchisor: How Howard Picker Is Using His Experience to Drive Sustainable Growth at Floyd’s 99

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Jollibee -Launch-Story-Brand-Page-Deep-Dive-2025

Jollibee Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

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Bringing Robots to Main Street: How Elad Inbar’s RobotLAB Franchise Is Powering the Local AI Revolution

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HTeaO Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

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The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

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Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

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Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

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How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

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Franchisee spotlight graphic with photos of Danielle Rosemond & Usman Khan & TruBlue logo

Family Members of Local Physicians Bring TruBlue Franchise to North Central Nassau, Long Island: A Health Care-Inspired Approach to Aging in Place

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Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Kelsey McManemin — Vice President of Marketing, HTeaO

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5 Brands You Didn’t Know Were Franchises

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