5 Established Brands that Are Still Poised for Growth in 2018

In the franchising industry, crossing the milestone 100-unit mark is no easy feat. From internal factors like development teams and proven systems that can be easily duplicated to external considerations like the ever-changing state of the economy, there are any number of roadblocks that can pop up on a brand’s path to global expansion. That’s why it’s even rarer and more exciting when brands that have solidified their positions as established concepts and industry leaders continue to experience growth.

New and emerging concepts aren’t the only franchise brands that are going to be experiencing growth in 2018. The top established concepts in the industry that have stayed ahead of the curve and committed to innovation are also likely to end the year on a high note. 1851 Franchise rounded up five of those established concepts that are still poised for expansion this year.

Anytime Fitness

Originally founded in 2002 by Chuck Runyon and Dave Mortensen, Anytime Fitness has become synonymous with growth in the fitness segment of the franchising industry. The brand is driven by its commitment to the four Ps: people, purpose, profits and play. Anytime Fitness is also focused on providing a friendly environment that’s designed to help its users see progress when it comes to their fitness goals, which is why it’s no surprise that the brand is set to open its milestone 4,000^th unit worldwide before the first quarter of 2018 comes to a close. And the fitness leader isn’t planning on stopping there—the brand is continuing to target both domestic and international markets for development as it aims to increase its global presence.

Dunkin’ Donuts

With more than 12,500 locations worldwide, it’s no surprise that Dunkin’ Donuts is one of the biggest names in franchising. However, the brand is still pushing an aggressive expansion initiative that’s designed to get more customers through its door. Dunkin’ announced that it’s planning to open more than 275 new U.S. locations in 2018, with an end goal of launching 1,000 new stores in the U.S. by the end of 2020. With a focus on domestic expansion over the next three years, Dunkin’ is primed to create thousands of jobs over the next three years.

Great Clips*

As the world’s largest salon brand, Great Clips is continuing to set a high standard for all players that enter the salon segment of the franchising industry. With more than 4,300 units currently open across the U.S. and Canada, the brand’s simple business model and proven system have made it a go-to business ownership opportunity for franchisees. Great Clips is also planning to extend its reach North of the border in 2018—the brand recently announced that it’s opening the Ottawa market for development for the first time. That means there’s still room for the brand to saturate key target markets across North America.

Jimmy John’s

The sandwich segment of the franchising industry continues to be popular among both business owners and consumers. But while some concepts are closing locations, Jimmy John’s is experiencing—and planning for—continued growth. Following a deal that made Roark Capital a majority investor, Jimmy Jonh’s is continuing to look for franchisees to bring the brand’s business model to new communities across the country. And by focusing on fast delivery and consistent quality, Jimmy John’s is positioned to continue breaking into new markets throughout the rest of 2018.

Molly Maid

When it comes to service franchises, home cleaning concepts like Molly Maid are proving that they have staying power. As a subsidiary of Dwyer Group, Molly Maid is continuing to expand into new territories due to its strong reputation as a cleaning company that can be trusted. For the past 30 years, the brand has grown to 450-plus units across the country and boasts an average of 1.7 million cleans per year. Now that Molly Maid also has the ability to tap into the resources that Dwyer Group brings to the table as a holding company of nearly 20 service-based franchises, the brand is positioned to continue expanding in the months and years to come.