1851

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. 

5-brands-you-didnt-know-were-franchises

Comfort Keepers

From Coast to Heartland: Why One Comfort Keepers® Franchisee Keeps Expanding

from-coast-to-heartland-why-one-comfort-keepers-franchisee-keeps-expanding

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

Filta Franchise - David Hoover Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

From Stadiums to Sustainability: How David Hoover Is Scaling Impact With Filta

filta-franchise-david-hoover-scaling-impact

TruBlue Home Service Ally

Be a Community Hero: How TruBlue Franchisees Are Changing Lives Beyond Business

be-a-community-hero-how-trublue-franchisees-are-changing-lives-beyond-business

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions Wraps Up Record-Breaking Q3 With National TV Launches, Platform Growth and Key Leadership Promotion

caring-transitions-wraps-up-record-breaking-q3-with-national-tv-launches-platform-growth-and-key-leadership-promotion

SweatHouz

SweatHouz SWTHZ Franchise - Hunter and Mallory Mitchem - Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

From Aerospace to Wellness: Hunter Mitchem’s Journey to a SweatHouz Empire

sweathouz-franchise-hunter-mitchem-6g

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

How a Steady Economy Could Help Franchisors Plan Their Next Move

how-a-steady-economy-could-help-franchisors-plan-their-next-move

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

U.S. Government Shutdown - Impact on Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Government Shutdown Stalls SBA Loans: How the Shutdown Could Impact Franchises

government-shutdown-impacts-sba-loans-tourism-franchises

Subway Franchisees Resist Expensive Remodel Directives

subway-franchisees-resist-expensive-remodel-directives

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

How goGLOW Turned Clean Beauty Into a Scalable Franchise and Why It’s Accelerating Now

goglow-clean-beauty-tanning-franchise

image of mellow mushroom deep dive into financials article from 1851 franchise

Mellow Mushroom Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

mellow-mushroom-franchise-deep-dive

How Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop Has Expanded Into One of the Restaurant Industry’s Most Exciting Franchise Opportunities

meet-the-franchisor-capriottis-david-bloom

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025

early-childhood-education-child-care-franchises

Top Education Franchises To Consider for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Education Franchises To Consider Investing In for 2025

top-education-franchises-investment-opportunities

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

5 Brands You Didn’t Know Were Franchises

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS