Growth Club
1851 Growth Club
The List Issue: Emerging Franchise Brands Between 50 and 100 Units
1851 Franchise breaks down 25 emerging brands that are positioned for continued growth.
Emerging brands aren’t only those that are just getting off the ground—even when concepts are climbing in the double digits before reaching that coveted 100-unit mark, they’re still establishing themselves in an industry that’s backed by thousands of concepts. To shine a spotlight on some of the top up and coming franchise brands in the industry, 1851 rounded up 25 brands to watch over the course of the next year. While these brands haven’t crossed 100 units yet, they’re all positioned to experience rapid growth in the coming months thanks to their unique concepts and proven business models.
The better breakfast segment of the franchising industry is heating up, and Another Broken Egg Café is a part of that forward movement. The brand, which was founded in 1996 and began franchising in 2005, focuses its development efforts in both new and existing markets by creating an experience that leads to loyal guests and consistent traffic. Another Broken Egg Café also introduced a new menu in 2017 that’s drawing attention from consumers and business owners alike.
Number of Locations: 67
Startup costs: $505,500 - $1,175,500
Best in Class Education Center
After recently reaching the 50-unit milestone, Best in Class Education Center is entering a new phase of growth and development. The supplemental education franchise that’s powered by thoughtful methods, quality instructors and a customizable approach is currently looking to break into new markets across 46 different states.
Number of Locations: 50
Startup costs: $62,800 - $121,880
Positioned as a low-cost retail opportunity, Big Frog Custom T-Shirts offers both a creative business and a simple business model. The brand utilizes technology to its advantage to create custom designed t-shirts that are marketable to all types of consumers.
Number of Locations: 80
Startup costs: $180,200 - $239,200
This Cincinnati, Ohio-based brand is redefining what it means to be a sports restaurant. Between its club-level experience, top quality food and family friendly environment, it’s no surprise that the brand is experiencing rapid growth both domestically and internationally.
Number of Locations: 77
Startup costs: $1,244,000 - $3,085,000
Founded with a simple mission to bring the perfect chicken salad to a restaurant environment, Chicken Salad Chick is proving that there’s room to grow its niche concept in the industry. By offering a variety of chicken salads in addition to salads, soups and sandwiches the brand is catering to a growing number of consumers who are looking for quality, health conscious food on the go.
Number of Locations: 70
Startup costs: $439,500 - $604,500
Since Dogtopia started franchising in 2005, the pet care industry has continued to become more popular. The brand offers both daycare and boarding services, but differentiates itself in the increasingly crowded marketplace my focusing on the education, exercise and socialization of man’s best friend.
Number of Locations: 50
Startup costs: $416,032 - $1,071,075
Flower Tent was founded with a mission to “sell happiness.” It does that by supplying stores with the best quality flowers and plants at the fairest prices while also helping customers choose the best plants for their homes. With nearly 70 locations up and running, Flower Tent is proving that it’s tapping into an underserved demand in the flower industry.
Number of Locations: 67
Startup costs: $60,350 - $99,100
National full-service auto care company Honest-1 is committed to expanding by putting its customers first. The brand actively takes steps to ensure that its customers are educated on their vehicles so that they can keep them in the best possible condition. By adding a personal touch to the automotive industry, Honest-1 is recognized as one of the fastest growing franchise brands in the industry.
Number of Locations: 56
Startup costs: $193,650 - $507,150
This West Coast-based smoothie and juice bar is looking to grow outside of its home region. And it’s positioned to do just that—the juice and smoothie industry is growing along with the importance of health, tapping into climbing demand for hand-crafted raw juices, cold-pressed organic juices and made-to-order smoothies in addition to nutrient-rich bowls.
Number of Locations: 90
Startup costs: $216,400 - $378,300
Originally founded as a home-based business, Kitchen Solvers is a major player in the cabinet re-facing industry. The brand is positioned as a one-stop shop for kitchen remodeling, and offers products and services like custom countertops, tile backsplashes and storage solutions. Kitchen Solvers is also a cash-based business, which is attractive to franchisees who are eager to turn a profit.
Number of Locations: 57
Startup costs: $80,700 - $128,285
The recently rebranded Lennys Grill & Subs is backed by one simple mission: make and serve great food. It’s known for its “World Class Philly Cheesesteaks,” but also provides consumers with a wide variety of freshly grilled and deli sandwiches. The Memphis, Tennessee-based brand is experiencing consistent growth across the Southeast by offering both single and multi-restaurant franchise territory opportunities.
Number of Locations: 95
Startup costs: $188,715 - $386,775
Nekter Juice Bar is proving that juice cleanses aren’t just a fad. With each one of its juices containing up to three pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables, the brand is providing consumers with an easy way to stay healthy and receive vitamins and nutrients. From cleanses to catering, Nekter is aiming to reach the widest audience possible as it expands in new communities across the country.
Number of Locations: 84
Startup costs: $201,500 - $452,600
OXXO Care Cleaners isn’t your average dry cleaning company. Aiming to break free of the traditional notion behind the concept, OXXO brings hand-ironing, 24/7 pickup and drop off and eco-friendly cleaning solutions to create a new kind of dry cleaners.
Number of Locations: 50
Startup costs: $475,500 - $667,000
Recognizing that pet owners were looking for an alternative to traditional food for their four legged friends, Pet Wants broke into the franchising industry. The brand creates premium pet food that’s manufactured from whole ingredients without by-products and then delivers it to customers’ doors. Pet Wants boasts a potentially lucrative model due to the fact that more families and millennials own pets than ever before.
Number of Locations: 70
Startup costs: $56,830 - $191,000
This emerging real estate franchise is aiming to connect local real estate agents with the buyers and sellers in their markets. Its services cover finding homes, listing homes for sale, market analysis and property evaluation. As Realty One Group continues to expand, it’s aiming to find the best local franchisee in every individual market that it’s targeting.
Number of Locations: 83
Startup costs: $53,250 - $220,000
Red Lion Hotels is a part of RLH Corporation that comprises more than 1,200 properties in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and South Korea. That’s why it’s no surprise that the individual brand is rapidly growing in the hospitality industry. By offering franchisees the benefits of a larger system while still being an emerging franchise, Red Lion Hotels is tapping into the best of both worlds.
Number of Locations: 70
Startup costs: $641,250 - $38,740,000
This emerging restaurant concept is backed by its original vision to provide customers with the “Big Three,” or hamburgers, roast beef sandwiches and fried chicken. Served in a wholesome, clean and All-American environment, these menu options—and many more—cater to consumers looking for “down home cooking.” It’s appealing to both consumers and franchisees alike because of its family values and start as a family business.
Number of Locations: 54
Startup costs: $868,250 - $1,580,950
As health and fitness continue to become top priorities among consumers, Saladworks is prepared to capitalize on its position as a top tier provider of entre-salads. Every salad that the brand serves is made to order, giving guests the ability to customize their own creations or one of the brand’s signature recipes. Saladworks is aiming to become the biggest player in the growing salad-centric segment of the franchising industry.
Number of Locations: 92
Startup costs: $513,159 - $532,814
As the housing industry continues to recover, Showhomes is positioned to make the most of its opportunity to grow. The brand, which offers traditional home staging services in addition to its unique Home Manager Program, is capitalizing on the fact that home staging is more important to the selling process than ever before.
Number of Locations: 58
Startup costs: $43,300 - $78,000
The Spice & Tea Exchange is an emerging chain of gourmet shops that sell spices, teas, sugars, salts and other organic products. By pursuing development in areas that are popular tourist destinations, the brand is solidifying a strong consumer reach that will then take its name across state lines as visitors return to their homes.
Number of Locations: 50+
Startup costs: $200,550 - $356,150
After doubling its size over the last three years, Toppers Pizza is quickly becoming a known name in the better-pizza segment of the franchising industry. The brand separates itself from the big guys in the delivery by focusing on quality ingredients and technological innovation. Toppers is also experiencing to growth through existing franchisee expansion and multi-unit operators.
Number of Locations: 83
Startup costs: $292,416 - $530,652
Welcomemat Services is a leader in the local advertising industry. The brand provides loyalty marketing solutions that are designed to target families who have recently changed their address, ultimately boosting business in local communities across the country.
Number of Locations: 63
Startup costs: $59,580 - $87,930
Over the past few years, the paint and sip segment of the franchising industry has experienced incredible growth. That’s why it’s no surprise that Wine & Dine is capitalizing on that trend and experiencing success of its own. Wine & Design differentiates itself in its increasingly crowded space by creating a fun and family-focused brand that brings art directly to local communities.
Number of Locations: 72
Startup costs: $ 52,800 - $105,000
Founded in 1991 by two college friends, Wing Zone has grown from a small operation on campus to a leading wing concept with a presence both in the U.S. and abroad. As it nears the 100-unit mark, Wing Zone is continuing to bring its quality food and unique recipes to new communities at an impressive rate.
Number of Locations: Nearly 100
Startup costs: Minimum of $150,000 in liquid assets and a net worth of $400,000
Zips Dry Cleaners got its start when eight dry cleaners on the East Coast came together in an attempt to cut costs. They agreed to offer $1.99 per garment and pool their advertising funds, which led to the franchise system that is now continuing to expand. It’s growth is fueled by its one-price model that’s unique in both the dry cleaning and franchising industries.
Number of Locations: 52
Startup costs: $855,350 - $1,139,600
*This brand is a paid partner of 1851 Franchise. For more information on paid partnerships please click here.
