At Escapology’s 2026 franchise conference in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, franchisees from around the system spoke candidly about what drew them to the brand and why they’ve continued to grow with it. For some, it was the appeal of the escape room business itself. For others, it was the chance to step away from demanding careers, build something of their own and create a business with room to expand over time.
Several franchisees spoke about how they first discovered the concept as customers before deciding to buy in. Cody Stovall, a multi-unit franchisee in Arizona and Utah - and the 2026 Franchisee of the Year, said the idea took shape after a visit to an escape room with family. “My wife looks at me and she’s like, would this be crazy for us to do?” Stovall said. “And I was like, I think it would be, but let’s try it. Escapology was the best decision for us and we’ve been hooked since.” Others echoed that sense of personal transformation, with franchisees describing moves away from demanding corporate careers and into a business model that offered more control over their time and future.
The conference also highlighted how the brand is evolving to meet growing consumer expectations. Franchisees pointed to Escapology’s expanding intellectual property offerings, including licensed games tied to recognizable entertainment brands, as a major driver of guest interest. Steve Kirk, a Florida franchisee, said those partnerships are helping take the experience “to that next level,” while Mark Edwards, a multi-unit franchisee in Florida and Colorado, pointed to improvements in technology, marketing and behind-the-scenes support since 2022.
Training and staffing also came up throughout the conference, with franchisees pointing to the brand’s online training tools and the value of hiring people who are genuinely enthusiastic about the experience. That focus on following the system carried through to the event’s closing message from co-founder Simon Davison, who encouraged owners to trust the model as they grow. Taken together, the conversations made clear that many franchisees see a real runway ahead for the brand.
Watch the video above or on YouTube.
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/escapology.
Escapology
SPONSORED
At the annual gathering, the escape room brand gave franchisees a chance to talk through what they’re seeing in their markets and how they’re approaching expansion.
At Escapology’s 2026 franchise conference in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, franchisees from around the system spoke candidly about what drew them to the brand and why they’ve continued to grow with it. For some, it was the appeal of the escape room business itself. For others, it was the chance to step away from demanding careers, build something of their own and create a business with room to expand over time.
Several franchisees spoke about how they first discovered the concept as customers before deciding to buy in. Cody Stovall, a multi-unit franchisee in Arizona and Utah - and the 2026 Franchisee of the Year, said the idea took shape after a visit to an escape room with family. “My wife looks at me and she’s like, would this be crazy for us to do?” Stovall said. “And I was like, I think it would be, but let’s try it. Escapology was the best decision for us and we’ve been hooked since.” Others echoed that sense of personal transformation, with franchisees describing moves away from demanding corporate careers and into a business model that offered more control over their time and future.
The conference also highlighted how the brand is evolving to meet growing consumer expectations. Franchisees pointed to Escapology’s expanding intellectual property offerings, including licensed games tied to recognizable entertainment brands, as a major driver of guest interest. Steve Kirk, a Florida franchisee, said those partnerships are helping take the experience “to that next level,” while Mark Edwards, a multi-unit franchisee in Florida and Colorado, pointed to improvements in technology, marketing and behind-the-scenes support since 2022.
Training and staffing also came up throughout the conference, with franchisees pointing to the brand’s online training tools and the value of hiring people who are genuinely enthusiastic about the experience. That focus on following the system carried through to the event’s closing message from co-founder Simon Davison, who encouraged owners to trust the model as they grow. Taken together, the conversations made clear that many franchisees see a real runway ahead for the brand.
Watch the video above or on YouTube.
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/escapology.
Sign up for the 1851 Franchise newsletter to get our biggest stories before everyone else
By signing up, you agree to our user agreement (including class action waiver and arbitration provisions), and acknowledge our privacy policy.
No related articles found
