Express Employment Professionals closed out 2025 with momentum that showed up both in new ownership, expansions from current owners, and in the long-term stability that comes with being a mature staffing system. “We are very proud to have welcomed more than 38 new owners into the Express family this year,” said Melissa Davis, vice president of franchise development.
This year’s development story was shaped in part by a transition happening inside the existing network. As longtime owners plan for the next chapter, Express is seeing more openings created by succession timelines and resale opportunities, including in markets that have been unavailable for years.
“From a development perspective, as a 42-year legacy brand, what we’ve seen over the last couple of years, and what we’ll continue seeing in the years to come, is a lot of our legacy owners entering into their succession planning and retirement phase of their life,” Davis said. “We’ve seen a lot of new development in California, Texas, Florida and New York, really along the West Coast and East Coast, as well as in Canada.”
Express’ development pipeline did not hinge on a single trend or moment. Instead, the brand continued to draw steady inbound interest, supported by decades of brand presence and a reputation that stands out early in a buyer’s search.
“We’re very lucky that interest in Express has stayed steady for many years,” Davis said. “We were established in 1983, and we’ve been named the No. 1 staffing franchise for 14 consecutive years by Entrepreneur.”
For many candidates, that kind of track record can be a first filter before they ever compare models. “So when people are looking into business ownership, when they’re learning about franchise ownership, Express Employment Professionals is a name that stands out among the crowd,” Davis said. “For that reason, we typically see upwards of 5,000 to 6,000 people inquire about ownership with Express every single year.”
Staffing remains a relationship business, and Davis says Express does not position technology as the core driver of success. The company is focused on tools that will help franchisees run more efficiently while keeping the work centered on people.
“The nature of our business model is such that success is driven by human-to-human connection. For that reason, it’s a great benefit to our franchise owners and their teams because our business model is not relying upon technology to be able to build a successful business,” Davis said. “Even so, in 2025 moving into 2026, there is so much technology out there that we can leverage to make what we do, and how we do it, stronger and more efficient. Because of that, we’re making significant investments into technology.”
For Davis, some of the most meaningful signals in 2025 were about who is choosing to build inside the brand. She points to growth in next-generation ownership as a marker of franchisee satisfaction and long-term commitment.
“What we’re seeing now, which is really exciting to us, is second- and even third-generation owners coming into Express,” she said. “Of course, that speaks to the satisfaction of our owners that they’re bringing in their children, and now we’re seeing their grandchildren coming into the business.”
As Express moves into 2026, Davis says the development focus remains on finding capable operators who have the drive to take control of their careers and step into ownership.
“There are so many people who have built successful corporate careers making other people a lot of money, who have always had that itch and that desire to do it for themselves, and be their own boss,” she said.
And while no industry is immune to downturns, she believes staffing’s track record supports long-term confidence. “The staffing industry at large shows consistent growth over many years, so we expect that consistent growth to continue,” Davis said.
For more information on franchising with Express Employment Professionals, visit: https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info.
Express Employment Professionals
SPONSORED
VP of Franchise Development Melissa Davis reflects on the milestones, momentum, and future opportunities that shaped Express’ franchising journey this year.
Express Employment Professionals closed out 2025 with momentum that showed up both in new ownership, expansions from current owners, and in the long-term stability that comes with being a mature staffing system. “We are very proud to have welcomed more than 38 new owners into the Express family this year,” said Melissa Davis, vice president of franchise development.
This year’s development story was shaped in part by a transition happening inside the existing network. As longtime owners plan for the next chapter, Express is seeing more openings created by succession timelines and resale opportunities, including in markets that have been unavailable for years.
“From a development perspective, as a 42-year legacy brand, what we’ve seen over the last couple of years, and what we’ll continue seeing in the years to come, is a lot of our legacy owners entering into their succession planning and retirement phase of their life,” Davis said. “We’ve seen a lot of new development in California, Texas, Florida and New York, really along the West Coast and East Coast, as well as in Canada.”
Express’ development pipeline did not hinge on a single trend or moment. Instead, the brand continued to draw steady inbound interest, supported by decades of brand presence and a reputation that stands out early in a buyer’s search.
“We’re very lucky that interest in Express has stayed steady for many years,” Davis said. “We were established in 1983, and we’ve been named the No. 1 staffing franchise for 14 consecutive years by Entrepreneur.”
For many candidates, that kind of track record can be a first filter before they ever compare models. “So when people are looking into business ownership, when they’re learning about franchise ownership, Express Employment Professionals is a name that stands out among the crowd,” Davis said. “For that reason, we typically see upwards of 5,000 to 6,000 people inquire about ownership with Express every single year.”
Staffing remains a relationship business, and Davis says Express does not position technology as the core driver of success. The company is focused on tools that will help franchisees run more efficiently while keeping the work centered on people.
“The nature of our business model is such that success is driven by human-to-human connection. For that reason, it’s a great benefit to our franchise owners and their teams because our business model is not relying upon technology to be able to build a successful business,” Davis said. “Even so, in 2025 moving into 2026, there is so much technology out there that we can leverage to make what we do, and how we do it, stronger and more efficient. Because of that, we’re making significant investments into technology.”
For Davis, some of the most meaningful signals in 2025 were about who is choosing to build inside the brand. She points to growth in next-generation ownership as a marker of franchisee satisfaction and long-term commitment.
“What we’re seeing now, which is really exciting to us, is second- and even third-generation owners coming into Express,” she said. “Of course, that speaks to the satisfaction of our owners that they’re bringing in their children, and now we’re seeing their grandchildren coming into the business.”
As Express moves into 2026, Davis says the development focus remains on finding capable operators who have the drive to take control of their careers and step into ownership.
“There are so many people who have built successful corporate careers making other people a lot of money, who have always had that itch and that desire to do it for themselves, and be their own boss,” she said.
And while no industry is immune to downturns, she believes staffing’s track record supports long-term confidence. “The staffing industry at large shows consistent growth over many years, so we expect that consistent growth to continue,” Davis said.
For more information on franchising with Express Employment Professionals, visit: https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info.
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