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Since the dawn of the technological era, businesses across industries and segments have been competing to make their mark on the digital space. From food to autocare to travel to home cleaning and everything in-between, the digital landscape had become a place where businesses to compete with one another and learn impactful new information about client demographics.&nbsp;We’ve gathered 10 of the best apps and digital platforms that have transformed their brands. Some are competing in the same industry, others have carved out a unique niche, and all of them have changed the way consumers purchase their products and services.&nbsp;American Airlines AppThe days of turning cell phones off during flights are over. Now, airlines like American are encouraging passengers to open their app during flights. With everything from movies and entertainment to flight arrival times and connecting information, travel apps like these have quickly become been a staple for frequent flyers.DoorDash AppThe food delivery service that changed the landscape of the food industry. No longer are consumers limited by which restaurants deliver and which don’t. Thanks to DoorDash, every restaurant delivers. By allowing consumers to have any food they’re craving delivered directly to their door, more and more restaurants are equipping their menus with to-go options.&nbsp;Starbucks AppA revolutionary service in the cafe/coffee-house industry, the Starbucks app allows consumers to order their coffee ahead of time so it’s ready to go by the time they arrive at the store. The app also allows customers to load money on the app directly so they can pay right from their phone, no card or cash needed.Amazon GoThis app, counterintuitively perhaps, has a brick-and-mortar counterpart, the Amazon Go store. Amazon had taken a new approach to shopping, rather than using check-out staff, Amazon Go stores are un-manned, allowing consumers to leave the store without checking out. Strange as it may sound, it works. Everyone who enters the store must scan a barcode from their Amazon Go app, and cameras in the store track what each person takes and what they put back, allowing customers the freedom to come and go without the hassle of waiting in line.&nbsp;Shell AppA gas station may not seem like a business that needs an app, but it starts to make a bit more sense when you take into account the GPS function and the vital role it plays for drivers. The Shell app allows travelers and road trippers to find the nearest Shell station. It also gives prices in real-time and shows approximately how much your trip will cost you based on your car’s make and model.&nbsp;Dominos AppIn order to gain an edge against third-party delivery services, many food-service businesses have been beefing up their own delivery services. Dominos has made particularly robust improvements to its offerings. The Domino's app allows consumers to track their orders from their phones with one of the most accurate delivery trackers in the industry, and it has won over users with its explicit focus on customer service.&nbsp;UPS AppAs one of the most-used courier companies in the world, UPS risked slipping during the digital revolution but has bounced back with an app that allows anyone to track their packages and communicate with post offices. In an industry notorious for substandard customer service, the UPS app has given the brand a powerful edge.&nbsp;&nbsp;Nike+ Running AppOne might assume an app from Nike would amount to little more than an online shopping platform, but that isn’t the case. The Nike+ Running app is used for health tracking, allowing users to track their fitness routines and progress. The app uses location-tracking technology to produce running maps of the users’ local community and allows them to see how many calories they are burning for each run.&nbsp;Under Armor’s My Fitness PalIn contrast to the Nike app’s focus on exercise, My Fitness Pal is oriented around nutritional health. The app allows users to enter all the meals they eat throughout the day, then shows them how many calories they’re consuming. The app also allows users to enter their weight goals and shows them how many calories they need to eat each day in order to achieve those goals.&nbsp;Realtor AppThis home service app allows prospective buyers to be their own realtors. With thousands of new and updated listings every day, the app lets users browse through home listings without any assistance from a realtor, making the real estate industry more appealing for those looking for something a little easier than the old-fashioned way of buying a home.

Game-Changing Brand Apps | 1851 Franchise

1851 Franchise

A look at 10 apps and digital services that have changed the way businesses operate. 

10 Brand Apps Changing The Game 

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Sola Salons

Sola Salons Targets Chicago for Strategic Franchise Growth

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Melting Pot

Photo of Melting Pot white chocolate fondue

How Melting Pot Franchisees Drive Year-Round Success Through Strategic Promotions and Local Marketing

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Crust Pizza Co.

Crust Pizza Co. - Technology Piece - CTO Nick Fontenot - May 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Crust Pizza Co. Builds the Future of Franchising With Tech-First Strategy

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Paris Baguette

Paris Baguette’s Recipe for Expansion: Leadership, Community and A Vision for 1,000 Cafés by 2030

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Seniors Helping Seniors®

Franchisee Spotlight with Billy and Anita Clark and Seniors Helping Seniors

Heart and Purpose: Couple Launch Seniors Helping Seniors® Franchise in Northern Arizona

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