Top 10 Experiential Franchises To Watch in 2020

The future of business is experiential, and these franchises are at the forefront of the industry. Whether you’re shopping for a gift for that one person who has everything, or just looking for ideas for your next company or family outing, experiential franchises have something for everyone. Enjoy an afternoon of axe-throwing, a thrilling time getting out of an escape room or a relaxing evening sipping wine and exploring your creative side through painting.

Below, 1851 Franchise selected 10 of the industry’s hottest franchises bringing you the experience of a lifetime and highlighted these brands’ strategy, growth, important takeaways and breakthroughs in 2019. 

Stumpy’s Hatchet House 

No. of Locations: 31

Investment range: $220,300 - $329,300

Franchise opportunity website: https://stumpysfranchise.com/

Stumpy’s Hatchet House was launched in 2015 by husband-and-wife team Stuart and Kelly Josberger with their friends Mark and Trish Oliphant. While Stuart and Mark were out back chopping wood for a fire one afternoon, the chopping turned to impromptu target-throwing, and the friends realized that hatchet-throwing wasn’t just for vikings anymore. At Stumpy’s, the game has evolved into a much more sophisticated game of target throwing where customers take turns chucking a hatchet into a safe, indoor-throwing pit. 

What you can learn from this brand: Stumpy’s really hit the bullseye when the brand started franchising in 2017. As of 2019, the brand is rapidly growing, with over 30 franchises across the continental U.S. Stumpy’s is also in the process of developing more corporate-owned stores and expanding its offerings to appeal to even more consumers. 

“Stumpy's Hatchet House now sells beer and wine in some of our locations,” said Trish Oliphant, cofounder of Stumpy’s Hatchet House. “This has been an exciting development and opportunity for us, and gives customers even more reasons to visit. In today's world, you can buy pretty much anything on the internet—the one thing that you can't purchase online, though, is an experience. That's where we fill a void. Who needs another sweater or scarf? Give them what they want—something unique and fun!” 

Board and Brush Creative Studio 

No. of Locations: 152

Investment range: $62,289 to $89,406

Franchise opportunity website: https://boardandbrush.com/franchising/

A glass of wine, some good friends, and a little woodworking is Board and Brush Creative Studio’s answer to your next girl’s night out conundrum. Participants at a Board and Brush don’t need to bring their own power tools—just an open mind and a creative spirit. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in a DIY workshop to create beautiful, hand-painted wood signs that will adorn your walls for years to come. 

What you can learn from this brand: Board and Brush has grown by 45 units in the past year and is ranked No. 39 among Entrepreneur’s fastest-growing franchises. This brand is taking off by presenting a totally unique concept—completely DIY wood sign workshops—in the saturated wine and crafts industry. Board and brush doesn’t just supply participants with a canvas, it teachers newcomers how to appreciate and craft with the raw materials themselves, imparting a new skill while providing a creative outlet in a fun, relaxing environment.

Wine and Design

No. of Locations: 82

Investment range: $66,800 to $165,000

Franchise opportunity website: https://www.wineanddesign.com/franchise/

Wine and Design is a tried-and-true paint-and-sip concept that offers two-hour classes that will entertain any group, whether you’re doing corporate team building, hosting a baby shower or just having a girls night out. The North Carolina-based franchise was even featured on Shark Tank. The Wine and Design team boasts 40+ years of corporate experience, but the concept itself wasn’t created until founder Harriett Mills stumbled on a paint-and-sip studio on a weekend beach trip that changed her life. In 2010, Wine and Design was created and in 2011, the brand opened its first franchise. 

What you can learn from this brand: Franchisees with Wine and Design have the opportunity to target several demographics with six different kinds of classes. This allows for franchisees to have multiple revenue streams, including experiences for the under-21 crowd, specifically children’s art classes called Art Buzz Kids that go beyond fingerpainting. 

Sky Zone

No. of Locations: 210

Investment range: $1,300,829 to $2,765,428

Franchise opportunity website: https://www.skyzone.com/franchise

Sky Zone, an indoor trampoline park founded in Las Vegas, has been franchising since 2009. Sky Zone’s offering originated as its trademark, wall-to-wall trampoline parks, but has grown to so much more than just getting air through dodgeball, volleyball, jousting, obstacle courses and more. The brand even gives back, as evidenced through its initiative to provide free jumps to furloughed federal employees and their families during the 2019 government shutdown. 

What you can learn from this brand: Ranked No. 195 in the Entrepreneur Franchise 500, Sky Zone has grown by 21 units in the past year, and 94 units over the past three years. Sky Zone has strong name recognition and wide reach, and was even featured in a YouTube Video starring Anna Kendrick and Kevin Hart. Sky Zone has built a strong reputation and is proving to be a timeless mainstay in the industry. 

Freedom Boat Club

No. of Locations: 200

Investment range: $144,200 to $193,700

Franchise opportunity website: https://freedomboatclubfranchise.com/

Freedom Boat Club is a franchise that disrupted the boating industry by taking the niche hobby and making it available to the masses at an attractive price point. The brand offers an alternative to boat ownership to both seasoned boaters and newcomers. Freedom Boat Club, which was founded in Sarasota, Florida in 1989, boasts being the largest, oldest and most progressive boat club in the world. Locations also offer free boat training and boat safety classes. 

What you can learn from this brand: Freedom Boat Club recently celebrated the opening of its 200th location, growing by 26 units in the past year. Businesses like Freedom Boat Club proved to be ahead of the curve by offering an affordable, membership-based service, as more and more consumers stray from ownership in favor of subscription or membership-based services. 

Urban Air Adventure Park

No. of Locations: 97

Investment range: $2,277,750 to $2,956,765

Franchise opportunity website: https://www.urbanairtrampolinepark.com/trampoline-park-franchise

Urban Air Adventure Park is more than just a trampoline park. This rapidly-growing indoor activity center offers activities for kids of all ages including a Warrior Obstacle Course, Go-Karts, indoor skydiving, the Sky Rider indoor coaster, rock climbing walls, laser tag, bowling, ropes courses, mini-golf, playgrounds, bumper cars, dodgeball, and more. The incredible variety of activities offered at an Urban Air Adventure Park make it perfect for everything from kids’ birthday parties to corporate teambuilding events.

What you can learn from this brand: In a saturated trampoline park industry, Urban Air sets itself apart by being an entertainment facility and indoor theme park that is fun for the whole family. This diversified mix of attractions definitely seems to be paying off considering that Urban Air Adventure Park grew by 23 units in just the past year and is ranked No. 97 in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500. 

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts

No. of Locations: 75

Investment range: $62,000 - $3,016,000

Franchise opportunity website: https://www.jellystonefranchise.com/

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts have been franchising since 1969—that’s half a century of family fun! You don’t even have to bring your own tent—these parks provide cabin rentals, RV sites, yurts and even tiny homes in addition camping reservations. Once you’re on site, each campground offers a variety of attractions, activities and amenities that vary by location. 

What you can learn from this brand: As far as experiential franchises go, this brand is one of the oldest, and it still consistently delivers a quality experience. After 50 years in franchising, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park is holding rank in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 at No. 202, and is one of only two family camping resort franchises to even make the list. In September, the brand celebrated both its 50th anniversary and 11th straight year of record sales. 

PanIQ Room 

No. of Locations: 14 U.S. locations

Investment range: $200,000 to $350,000

Franchise opportunity website: https://paniqescaperoom.com/franchise

Emerging experiential franchise PanIQ Room is seeking new franchise owners worldwide after opening its first location in Hungary in 2012. The business also boasts 500,000 players and counting. While the brand’s footprint currently seems relatively small at only 11 open units and three more coming soon, the brand’s 32-year-old founder is targeting ambitious expansions, planning a mega-concept on the Las Vegas strip in early 2020.   

What you can learn from this brand: PanIQ Room has traded quantity for quality, opening truly unforgettable, innovative concepts as it gradually branches out into the U.S. market. The brand has franchise locations currently in Hollywood, San Francisco and Silicon Valley in California; Phoenix; Dallas; Nashville, Tennessee; Chicago; New York City; Washington D.C.; and Miami, with new locations coming soon in Atlanta and the Bahamas. 

Launch Franchising LLC 

No. of Locations: 30 

Investment range: $1,113,285 to $2,828,080

Franchise opportunity website: https://www.launchfranchisingllc.com/

Launch is another one of the fastest-growing family recreation centers in an industry worth $680 million. The brand was founded when co-owners Rob and Erin Arnold were seeking out activities to do with their family on a rainy day. Rob contacted business acquaintance and three-time Super Bowl champion Ty Law to partner on the idea, and Launch Trampoline Parks was born. While its main focus is indoor trampoline activities, Launch locations also feature climbing walls, laser tag, bowling and more as a one-stop-shop for year-round family fun, rain or shine. 

What you can learn from this brand: Launch Franchising LLC is ranked No. 248 in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500. Launch has achieved longevity by diversifying its offerings from trampolines into full-fledged theme parks that are updated according to the latest trends and technology. 

Painting with a Twist

No. of Locations: 301

Investment range: $118,500 to $285,500

Franchise opportunity website: https://www.paintingwithatwistfranchise.com/

Leading paint-and-sip concept Painting with a Twist started in 2007 as a way to help rebuild its founder’s local community after Hurricane Katrina. Following the huge popularity among their friends, the owners turned the concept into a bonafide business and started franchising in 2009.

What you can learn from this brand: Painting with a Twist is one of the largest paint-and-sip franchises in the U.S. and the highest-ranked on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list for the sixth consecutive year. The brand boasts over 300 locations in 40 states, and 32% of franchisees are multi-unit owners. Put simply, Painting with a Twist has found what works and invested strongly in its franchisees to maintain such a high bar of success.