1851 Franchise’s Fastest Growing Emerging Franchises of 2026: Slime Kitchen

• Brand: Slime Kitchen
• Number of Units: 18 stores open or under development
• Initial Investment Range: Not publicly available
• ROI Potential: Not publicly available
• Units Sold Last Year: Not publicly available

Slime Kitchen has officially earned a place on 1851 Franchise’s 2026 Fastest Growing Emerging Franchises list — a recognition that highlights brands shaping the future of franchising through innovation, momentum and strong demand. As interest from franchisees continues to climb, Slime Kitchen is entering a pivotal phase of expansion.

“Looking ahead to 2026, we see the growing demand for experiential retail playing a big role in our growth,” a representative of the Slime Kitchen team said. “Families are being more thoughtful about how they spend their money, and they’re seeking out experiences that feel hands-on, creative and truly worth it. That’s why the coming year feels like such an important one for Slime Kitchen as we continue to grow, offering experiences that bring people together through creativity in more places across the country.”

History and Origin Story

Founded in 2021 in the San Francisco Bay Area by Kathy Ando, a former Apple Inc. and tech marketing executive, The Slime Kitchen grew from pandemic-era slime-making at home into a hands-on, make-your-own retail experience and has since expanded through franchising.

“The Slime Kitchen’s journey started at our kitchen table during the pandemic when we were looking for ways to keep our family entertained,” the Slime Kitchen team said. “What surprised us was how quickly slime became something we bonded over, and how much joy came from creating together. That same sense of connection and creativity is still driving our momentum today. In fact, it inspired our mission to Give Good. We utilize slime as our conduit to gather friends, families, and the community because the world needs more opportunities to come together for good.”

Why the Franchise Stands Out

The Slime Kitchen stands out by turning slime from a product into a guided, hands-on experience. Instead of selling only premade items, its stores are built around a DIY “slime kitchen” process where guests customize their slime with colors, textures, scents and mix-ins and leave with something they created. The model also broadens the occasion mix with structured offerings like workshops and hosted birthday parties, which helps position the concept as experiential retail for families rather than a typical novelty retailer.

“What really sets our franchise model apart is the experience itself,” said the Slime Kitchen team. “At Slime Kitchen, you’re not sitting back and being entertained — you’re fully in control of the process. We like to say that guests step into the role of ‘chef’ when they participate, choosing their colors, textures, mix-ins, and creating something entirely from scratch.”

System Growth and 2026 Momentum

Over the past year, The Slime Kitchen expanded beyond its early West Coast base, including a February 2025 opening at Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville, Iowa, with reports at the time describing the brand as having nine locations and additional units in the pipeline, including the Des Moines metro. It also added momentum in Southern California with a Mission Valley opening on Aug. 1, 2025, and a Chula Vista grand opening event promoted for Nov. 22, 2025, while its published location listings signal additional markets in progress, including Florida and Kentucky.

“Over the past year, we’ve opened several new locations, from our first store on the East Coast, to our 10th in California,” the Slime Kitchen team said, “and the response from families has been consistently strong because the experience hasn’t changed.”

Why Now Is the Moment for New Franchisees

Slime Kitchen is well-positioned for franchise growth right now because it sits at the intersection of two trends that are attracting families: experiential retail and screen-free, hands-on activities. The brand is also proving it can scale without diluting the experience, with new locations opening and a format built around guest participation rather than passive entertainment. For franchisees, that combination matters. It creates a business that feels timely to today’s consumer, repeatable from market to market, and differentiated in a retail landscape where customers are looking for outings that feel worth the spend.

“For parents, the concept is especially appealing because it’s screen-free, sensory play that keeps their children engaged and builds confidence by allowing them to make their own decisions,” said the Slime Kitchen team. “The shared excitement on both sides makes for a memorable experience that keeps families coming back.”

Looking Ahead

In 2026 and beyond, The Slime Kitchen plans to keep expanding into new cities while protecting the hands-on, participatory experience that drives repeat visits. Alongside new store growth, the brand is looking to broaden how customers engage with Slime Kitchen through more workshops, pop-ups and events, using themed activations and culturally relevant ideas to keep the experience fresh. The strategy points to steady, intentional market entry paired with new formats that deepen community engagement and create more reasons for families to return.

“Looking ahead to 2026, we see the growing demand for experiential retail playing a big role in our growth,” the Slime Kitchen team said. “Families are being more thoughtful about how they spend their money, and they’re seeking out experiences that feel hands-on, creative, and truly worth it. That’s why the coming year feels like such an important one for Slime Kitchen as we continue to grow, offering experiences that bring people together through creativity, in more places across the country.”

As Slime Kitchen accelerates into 2026, its appeal is coming into focus for both families and franchisees: a repeatable, screen-free experience that feels timely in a retail landscape increasingly driven by hands-on outings. With new markets opening, more locations in development and additional engagement formats on the roadmap, the brand is building momentum without losing what made it work in the first place. For operators looking to enter experiential retail with a concept that can travel, Slime Kitchen’s next phase is shaping up to be its most important yet.

Stay tuned throughout the rest of the month for 1851 Franchise's full Fastest Growing Emerging Franchises series to explore the other innovative brands making waves in the industry.