5 Brands We Wish Would Franchise

Franchising is a way for brands to quickly claim a stake in a local market and establish brand roots with less liability. For entrepreneurs, opening a franchise gives them the opportunity to become a business owner of an already established business with tried and true systems in place to guide them through their opening and operations. 

These are five brands we would love to see franchise: 

Revolution Brewing

Revolution Brewing is Illinois’ largest independently owned brewery, operating one bar and restaurant in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. The Revolution name, along with several of its signature beers, are sold around the country. With food and alcohol sales, Revolution Brewery locations could offer communities a fun atmosphere to relax and unwind with locally sourced products. 

Trader Joe’s

Founded in California by Joe Coulombe, the first Trader Joe’s opened in 1958. Since then, it has grown to 530 stores nationwide. The “fresh format” grocery chain became a top competitor in the grocery industry around 2015 and continues to grow year after year. The brand ranks #14 on Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work in the US 2020. Trader Joe’s would be a great franchise because it could use its brand recognition to expand into untapped markets with local entrepreneurs looking to bring environmentally sourced products to more communities. 

Sunny Side Dispensary

Owned and operated by Cresco Labs, Sunny Side Dispensary is growing in states where recreational marijuana sales are legal statewide. Having a parent company with knowledge and systems around the legal, marketing and distribution sides of the cannabis industry could help smaller, local marijuana brands around the country get into a dispensary where people can purchase their products. Franchising would give Sunny Side the ability to expand its brand around the country with recreational and medicinal business models, depending on the laws in each state. For many looking to get into the rapidly-growing cannabis industry, franchising is a profitable entryway. 

BoomerJacks Bar & Grill

BoomerJack’s Bar & Grill is a restaurant chain founded in 2001 with 16 locations across the Dallas-Fort Worth area and rapidly growing throughout North Texas and beyond. If the brand chose to franchise, it would give entrepreneurs the opportunity to bring a family-friendly, fun and relaxing neighborhood sports bar to their communities. The team behind the brand is strong with 1,200 employees they call family, and it has been named a Top 100 Place to Work by the Dallas Morning News three times. They sell quality products at affordable prices, drink specials (including all day, every day happy hour, wall-to-wall TVs and all-season outdoor patios. 

Dark Matter Coffee

Dark Matter Coffee is a Chicago-based coffee bar and roasting company with six locations and products sold in stores throughout the Chicagoland area. The brand’s mission is to educate the community on how to roast, brew, serve, taste and appreciate a great cup of coffee. The brand is known for its commitment to sustainability, fair business practices and community. It offers unique and innovative blends and partners with local artists to design its packaging and labels. If the brand were to franchise, it would offer a great opportunity for potential franchisees interested in owning a small, globally conscious and community-focused business.