25 Brands To Know At This Year’s International Franchise Expo

Every year, major players in the franchising industry come together for one premier exhibition: the International Franchise Expo (IFE). Between June 16 and 18, thousands of entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to personally meet more than 400 franchisors who are looking to grow their brands both domestically and internationally.

With so many brands on display, it can be hard to navigate where to start when attending the IFE. That’s why the 1851 Franchise team identified 25 brands to know along with their booth numbers:

Blint Shakes (#1249):

Emerging brand Blint Shakes is breaking into the booming health and wellness segment of the franchising industry. By creating automated retail and vending machines to serve a variety of drinks, Blint Shakes is able to provide consumers with healthy meal options while they’re on the go and away from home.

Carl’s Jr. (#714):

Over the past 65 years, Carl’s Jr. has positioned itself as a premier burger chain. There are currently more than 1,100 Carl’s Jr. restaurants worldwide, and the brand is constantly looking for new franchise candidates to bring its concept to new communities.

Cartridge World (#715):

Cartridge World is the award-winning leading global franchisor in the printer and printer cartridge consumable industry. With over 1,000 locations in 55 countries, the brand’s growth potential is incredibly strong. Franchising with Cartridge World gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to tap into the $80 billion global printing industry.

Cinnabon (#421):

Cinnabon competes both as a bakery franchise and coffee shop franchise. The brand, which is known for its world-famous cinnamon rolls, has more than 1,100 bakeries in over 55 countries. It’s incredibly affordable for new franchisees to open up their own location—the initial franchisee fee to open one Cinnabon is $30,000, while the fee to open one Cinnabon Express Bakery is $7,500.

Clean Juice Franchising (#1252):

Another emerging brand, Clean Juice Franchising, is also making a name for itself in the health and wellness industry. The brand relies on organic produce and cold press technology to make the highest quality juice possible. Clean Juice is also focused on playing an active role in the communities it calls home.

Denny’s, Inc. (#822):

For over 60 years, Denny’s has continued the tradition of classic American diners by being open 24/7. The brand has developed a business model that easily evolves with customer preferences, allowing it to become a strong and successful restaurant chain. Right now, there are 1,700 Denny’s restaurants.

Farm Stores (#1028):

As a grocery store, bakery and restaurant, Farm Stores is part of a growing $700 billion industry. It’s drive thru franchise concept stands out from the crowd, and its model allows franchisees to explore multi-unit opportunities with strong growth potential.

GYMGUYZ (#738):

GYMGUYZ is the first fitness franchise company to bring personal training directly to its clients. The brand’s coaches create customized workout plans that customers do from the comfort of their own homes. Trainers bring state-of-the-art equipment right to their clients for one-on-one or group workouts, ultimately helping them see better results.

Hooters (#1029):

Few franchises are as immediately recognizable as Hooters. The restaurant concept, which has over 430 franchise locations in 28 countries in addition to 160 corporately owned units, is planning for even more domestic and international expansion.

K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel (#735):

K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel is a top rated, state-of-the-art pet care franchise. Instead of boarding dogs in cages, the brand gives dogs the experience of staying at a five-star hotel with individual rooms and suites outfitted with flat screen TVs and premium dog beds. K9-Resorts’ franchising opportunity gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to break into the $60 billion pet care industry.

Little Caesars Pizza (#604):

The first Little Caesars Pizza first opened its doors more than 50 years ago. What was once a single store is now a leading global chain built on the booming pizza delivery industry. Little Caesars Pizza prides itself on being an innovator in a crowded segment.

MAACO Collision Repair & Auto Painting (#1040):

With more than 500 auto body shops, MAACO is a leader in the $43 billion auto body repair industry. MAACO owners also have the advantage of joining a brand that has a 45 percent market share in automotive cosmetic paint.

Massage Envy (#825):

Massage Envy is well known in the franchising industry—it was recently ranked the number two franchise by Forbes Magazine with an entry cost of under $500,000. The brand boasts a simple model as well as an ever-expanding member base and recurring revenue model.

Midas International Corporation (#252):

Midas is a top rated auto repair franchise with more than 1,000 stores in the U.S. and another 2,000+ across the globe. The brand offers franchisees long term customer loyalty as well as the potential for strong unit volume—all auto repair shops are expected to bring in $39.8 billion this year alone.

MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes* (#509):

MOOYAH is a fast-casual, “better burger” concept offering made-to-order burgers, hand cut French fries and shakes made with real ice cream. The brand is consistently ranked as a top franchise by publications like Fast Casual and FranchiseRankings.com.

Mosquito Joe* (#607):

One of the leading franchises in the pest control industry is Mosquito Joe. The brand, which is backed by a national network of technical expertise, provides mosquito control treatment to both residential and commercial customers.

Mrs. Fields (#821):

At over 300 global retail locations, in addition to a strong digital presence, Mrs. Fields is one of the leading franchises in the bakery industry. It’s brand awareness among consumers is hard to beat, opening the door for franchisees to successfully establish themselves in new communities.

Nathan’s Famous (#753):

Nathan’s Famous offers its franchisees a variety of restaurant designs and customized equipment, enabling them to make the most of their business ownership opportunity wherever they’re located. The brand is also built on a 100 years of serving quality beef hot dogs and crinkle cut fries in the restaurant industry.

Philly Pretzel Factory (#915):

Philly Pretzel Factory currently feeds customers at more than 150 franchised locations primarily in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. But the brand is expanding its reach, and aiming to bring its traditional Philly style pretzel to new areas across the country.

Pita Pit (#217):

Since opening its first restaurant in the U.S. in 1999, Pita Pit Inc. has continued to be one of the fastest growing fast casual restaurant franchises in the country. The brand’s commitment to offering a healthier and taster alternative to traditional fast food chains makes the brand stand out in the competitive restaurant industry.

Saladworks (#447):

Saladworks, the nation’s first and largest fresh-tossed salad franchise concept, is currently in growth mode. The brand stands out because of its unique model, which allows customers to choose from a menu of 60 quality ingredients and 12 pre-determined recipes to create custom and signature salads.

Smoothie King (#609):

By creating smoothies with a purpose in more than 750 units worldwide, Smoothie King separates itself from the competition in the booming smoothie segment. This year, consumers also voted Smoothie King the number one brand in the Limited-Service Restaurant Beverage-Snack category in Nation’s Restaurant News’ Consumer Picks.

Sport Clips* (#547):

For the past 22 years, Sport Clips has been redefining what it means to offer customers a true, MVP haircut experience. The brand now has well over 1,500 stores worldwide, and is planning on leveraging that momentum to continue growing in new territories.

The Brass Tap* (#228):

The Brass Tap is an upscale craft beer and wine bar that’s celebrated for its more than 300 varieties of imports, local craft beers and selection of premium wines and cigars. The brand is prime to quadruple in size in the Southeastern U.S. and beyond.

Wireless Zone (#920):

Wireless Zone has become the nation’s largest wireless retail franchisor. The brand’s model is recession and finance-friendly, giving is franchisors the opportunity to successfully establish their own businesses in an industry with impressive growth potential.

For a full list of brands exhibiting at this year’s IFE, click here.