As Express Employment Professionals continues to lead the staffing industry with nearly 900 units globally, the brand has set its sights on Texas for strategic franchise growth. With a rich tapestry of community-oriented cities and towns — and an economy that thrives on diversity — Texas presents a unique opportunity for the staffing brand to expand its footprint. 

“Texans are known for their grit and can-do attitude — these are attributes we look for in a franchisee,” said Emelio Daugherty, associate franchising director. “As you get down to specific areas of the state, the cities and towns are very community-oriented, which aligns closely with our company culture and values. We’re on a mission to help as many people as possible find good jobs by helping as many clients as possible find good people.”

Here’s why Express is making Texas a priority for franchise development.

A Franchising Success Story in Texas

Julie and Lance Turner, long-time Express franchisees based in Fort Worth, are prime examples of how the brand can lead to sustained success and growth in Texas. 

The Turners’ journey with Express started all the way back in 1995. The duo came from previous careers in teaching and HR, respectively. Lance's experience using Express for staffing, coupled with Julie's fresh perspective from education, led them to embark on a new venture that aligned closely with their values and aspirations. 

In Texas, the demand for staffing services has remained strong, Julie says, buoyed by the state's employer-friendly environment and robust workforce. 

“It's been a steady increase in terms of growth and we’ve also expanded into multiple offices throughout the states of Texas,” said Julie. “People like to do business in Texas because of the availability of the workforce and the advantages for companies. It works out for employees and employers, which then works out for us at Express.”

Texas has experienced a real GDP growth rate of 3% per year, indicative of a faster economic expansion compared to the overall United States. Texas' economy, valued at $2.5 trillion, accounts for a whopping 9.5% of the U.S. economy, underscoring its importance as a national economic powerhouse.

The strength of Texas' economy is further highlighted by its job market statistics. As of January 2024, the unemployment rate in Texas stood at 3.9%, reflecting a dynamic labor market. Additionally, Texas has seen substantial job creation, adding the most jobs in the nation over a 12-month period ending in November 2023. During this time, Texas added 407,100 jobs, growing at an annual rate of 3%, which is higher than the national growth rate. The state has also achieved historic highs, with its labor force reaching 15.2 million, and the number of Texans working, including self-employed individuals, reaching 14,576,500. 

The Turners point to another advantage of operating an Express franchise in Texas — a strong network of over 60 existing franchisees. This tight-knit group provides a unique support system and collaborative opportunities. 

“It's been very rewarding to watch Express grow over the years,” said Julie. “Some of our best friends are franchisees with Express — there is a very tight bond and there is always somebody there to support you.” 

Why Now Is the Time to Franchise with Express in Texas

With several territories available in key markets such as Laredo, San Angelo and Richardson, Express is on the lookout for the right franchisee candidates to lead these territories to success. 

In terms of helping franchisees bring Express to new cities, the brand's approach to market capacity is meticulous, requiring a minimum of 30,000 jobs within a territory, alongside a deep dive into local demographics, business counts and job sectors. This careful selection process ensures that each new franchise is positioned for maximum impact and sustainability.

This approach is augmented by the presence of locally-based corporate team members, or "Developers," who provide mentorship and industry expertise to franchisees, embodying the brand's commitment to support and growth.

Express's real estate strategy in Texas is also tailored to keep initial investment and operating expenses low, focusing on mid-tier retail centers or business parks that offer accessibility without the need for prime location premiums. 

"Overall, Texas represents a unique blend of opportunity, culture and economic vitality that aligns perfectly with our mission at Express,” said Daugherty. “We're not just opening offices — we're building communities and empowering entrepreneurs to make a lasting impact. Our success in Texas is a testament to our commitment to finding the right partners and supporting them every step of the way."

Looking ahead, Express Employment Professionals remains focused on delivering exceptional service, expanding its reach and solidifying its position as a leading staffing franchise with the goal of putting one million people to work. 

The initial investment ranges from $140,000 to $220,000 to open an Express single traditional model, with a franchise fee of $40,000. For territories open more than 24 months, average sales in 2022 were $6,497,275. For territories open more than 60 months, average sales in 2022 were $7,7194,784. First-year offices averaged $1,080,407 annual sales according to Item 19 in the Franchise Disclosure Document. This statement is for information purposes only and is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise.

To find out more information on the costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment