1851

Each iconic franchise brand that exists today can trace its roots back to a time when it was striving to make a name for itself in the marketplace. Making the transition from emerging to established brand requires hard work, determination and outstanding consumer experience. 

What really defines an established brand? According to Matthew Walls, VP of U.S. Development at <a href="https://biz.dominos.com/web/public/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-ways-to-grow-from-emerging-to-established-brand-2709165" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Domino&rsquo;s</a>, this status is dependent on the mission of the brand. 

&ldquo;Some brands want to be a single unit, while others want to have a national presence, and then there is everything in between,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I think the real measure of whether a brand has &lsquo;emerged&rsquo; is an internal measurement against that mission. Some of the national players today only sought to be local or regional chains.&rdquo;

1851 caught up with Walls and Drew French, founder and president of <a href="https://franchise.yourpie.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-ways-to-grow-from-emerging-to-established-brand-2709165" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Your Pie</a>, to learn how newer brands can work toward the evolution from emerging to established brands. 

Continue to Innovate

&ldquo;Once you plant your roots, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/tricks-to-becoming-a-big-franchise-brand-a-conversation-with-anytime-fitness-2705708" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">you need to continue to think small as you innovate</a>,&rdquo; French said. &ldquo;Listen to feedback from your customers and teams about their experiences. Brands have to be willing to change in order to meet their customers&rsquo; and team&rsquo;s needs over time.&rdquo;

French explained that while it is important to keep tabs on current events and trends across the industry as well as other brands, a company should never let these drive its own innovation. 

&ldquo;Changes need to make sense for your business model and be well thought out and tested before rolling them out system-wide,&rdquo; he said. 

Ensure Systems Are Easy to Replicate

In order for an emerging brand to find success through expansion, its operations systems must be easily and consistently replicated across all units or territories. 

&ldquo;Complex operational systems are difficult for new franchisees to manage, especially franchisees who are new to restaurants and food service,&rdquo; explained Walls. &ldquo;They must also have great store-level economics, providing their franchisees with a clear path to profitability.&rdquo;

Support Growth Initiatives With a Strong Team

&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t grow if your systems and team aren&rsquo;t in place to support that growth,&rdquo; French said. &ldquo;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/3-signs-you-are-or-work-for-a-great-company-2708750" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">People are the most important part of growth</a>, so make sure you have the right people in place to ensure that you are growing the right way.&rdquo;

Focus on Franchisee Profitability

&ldquo;Domino&rsquo;s has been at this for 60 years, so there have been many inflection points along the way,&rdquo; Walls said. &ldquo;What we have seen recently is that some concepts have thwarted brands&rsquo; growth because they became more concerned with their own profitability and not that of the franchisee. If franchisees are profitable, they will be more engaged, which is good for their customers. The combination of happy customers and happy franchisees typically yields a happy franchisor. This is especially true in highly-franchised systems.&rdquo;

Stay True to Your Roots

No matter what, a brand should remember where it started and never lose sight of it. Emerging brands should evaluate what factors create their unique, one-of-a-kind experience and maintain these elements as they grow. 

&ldquo;As growth happens, you have to remember what made you successful in the first place,&rdquo; French said. &ldquo;For Your Pie, that means creating a pizza that people crave coupled with an experience that they can&rsquo;t get anywhere else.

Domino's, Your Pie, Emerging franchise brands, established franchise brands

5 Ways to Grow From Emerging to Established Brand

1851 Franchise

Every brand had to start somewhere. 1851 connected with experts at Your Pie and Domino’s to learn their tips for evolving a franchise into an established brand.

5-ways-to-grow-from-emerging-to-established-brand

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Unlocking the Potential: How Much Can You Earn as an Onigilly Franchisee?

unlocking-the-potential-how-much-can-you-earn-as-an-onigilly-franchisee

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno 

Grease, Grit, and Growth: DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno, Nevada

grease-grit-and-growth-dewitts-ignite-new-chapter-for-filta-environmental-kitchen-solutions-in-reno-nevada

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Layne's Chicken Fingers-50 Unit-Wendy's-Franchisee-June-2025

Why This 50 Unit Wendy’s Franchisee Is Betting on Layne’s for His Next Big Move

wendys-franchisee-expands-with-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

CapitalSpring

CapitalSpring’s Jim Balis Talks Growth, ROI and the Future of Fast Casual on “Rock My Restaurant”

capitalsprings-jim-balis-talks-growth-roi-and-the-future-of-fast-casual-on-rock-my-restaurant

Children's Lighthouse

Children’s Lighthouse Ramps Up Growth in First Half of 2025 With Strategic Expansions, Franchise Signings, and New Headquarters

childrens-lighthouse-ramps-up-growth-in-first-half-of-2025-with-strategic-expansions-franchise-signings-and-new-headquarters

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

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

From Franchisee to Franchisor: How Howard Picker Is Using His Experience to Drive Sustainable Growth at Floyd’s 99

howard-picker-floyds-99-barbershop-franchise-franchisor-hot-seat

Jollibee -Launch-Story-Brand-Page-Deep-Dive-2025

Jollibee Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

jollibee-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

Bringing Robots to Main Street: How Elad Inbar’s RobotLAB Franchise Is Powering the Local AI Revolution

bringing-robots-to-main-street-how-elad-inbars-robotlab-franchise-is-powering-the-local-ai-revolution

Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-costs-fees-2025

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Kelsey McManemin — Vice President of Marketing, HTeaO

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-kelsey-mcmanemin-vice-president-of-marketing-hteao

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Love for Dogs Into a Business with Dog Training Elite

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Lifelong Love for Dogs Into a Growing Business with Dog Training Elite

how-this-franchise-consultant-turned-a-lifelong-love-for-dogs-into-a-growing-business-with-dog-training-elite

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

5 Ways to Grow From Emerging to Established Brand

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS