10 Franchises Less Than 10 Years Old

With the calendar turning to 2020, it’s not only a new year, but a new decade. While the end of the 2010s may still be a shock to some, 2020 brings with it many new opportunities, for these franchise brands in particular. Here are 10 brands that began pursuing growth through franchising in the last 10 years—and where they’re poised to go in the next 10.

1. Le Macaron French Pastries

After coming to the United States from France, Rosalie Guillem and her daughter Audrey Guillem-Saba noticed there wasn’t anywhere they could get the authentic French pastries they’d grown to love. The two decided to build a brand that would introduce America to specialty French macarons and other pastries, and in 2012, Le Macaron was born. In the time since, the brand has expanded to over 50 locations across 11 states. 

2. IDEA Lab Kids

Founded in 2011 mother of three Ghazal Qureshi, IDEA Lab Kids is an after-school program that provides hands-on learning experiences to kids across the country. The brand currently offers more than 50 STEAM-based courses designed to inspire and engage children in ways that go beyond their in-school curriculum. IDEA Lab Kids has ambitious growth plans that include international expansion and reaching the 700-unit threshold in the decade ahead.

3. Profile by Sanford

Recently making its debut on the 2019 Entrepreneur Franchise 500 Ranking at No. 164, Profile by Sanford has carved out quite the position for itself since launching franchise opportunities in 2014. The brand provides personalized nutrition, activity and lifestyle coaching to help its members lose weight and keep it off. Profile was developed by physicians and researchers at Sanford Health hospital system to take the guesswork out of a healthy lifestyle change. The brand has grown impressively in its short history—of its 150 open locations, more than 125 are franchise-owned.

4. SoBol

Founded in 2014 by Jason Mazzarone and Jim Kalomiris, SoBol is an acai bowl concept that aims to provide an energy-boosting meal to customers of all ages, demographics and lifestyles. Since its founding and subsequent growth through franchising, SoBol has expanded beyond its Long Island, New York base throughout the East Coast, and kicked off 2020 by breaking into the West Coast market with an opening in Chino Hills, California.

5. Home Clean Heroes*

Virginia Beach, Virginia-based Home Clean Heroes is new to the franchise game, but not to super-powered cleaning services. Since its 2017 founding, the brand has gained steam by furthering its mission to defend its customers’ free time so they can spend it on what matters most, not cleaning. Home Clean Heroes established its first franchise location in 2019 and plans to accelerate expansion in 2020 and beyond, particularly in the Southeast as it gains brand recognition for its exemplary service standards.

6. Big Blue Swim School

Founded in 2009 by competitive swimmer Chris DeJong after he lost to Micahel Phelps by three-tenths of a second in the Olympic qualifiers, Big Blue Swim School was born from the idea that youth swimming was missing something—something important. With a mission of teaching swimming in a way that promotes water safety and prioritizes measurable goal setting and fun, the brand became extremely popular in the northern suburbs of Chicago before securing an investment from Atlanta-based private equity firm Level 5 Capital, a move that kickstarted the brand’s foray into franchising. Since launching franchise opportunities in 2018, the brand has begun expanding rapidly and is pursuing having agreements in place to open 150 pools by 2021. 

7. songs for seeds

A pair of New York City parents, Allison and Craig Schlanger and Alison Qualter Berna and Bobby Berna, got together in 2009 with a shared desire to create a stronger developmental opportunity for their young children to learn before they reached traditional school age. songs for seeds has engaged thousands of children and their families through classes that encourage children to sing, dance, pick up an instrument and play along with a live three-piece band. The brand’s curriculum of proprietary songs, top 40 hits, classic tunes and music from around the world serves as a vehicle to teach critical aspects of early childhood development such as shapes, colors, numbers, counting and more. songs for seeds began franchising in 2012 and has since established a solid presence for itself in New York, with multiple additional locations set to open in early 2020.

8. Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar

Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar grew out of a few friends’ shared vision to create a local establishment that would appeal to all ages, where friends and family could enjoy fresh, delicious meals and creative cocktails in an environment that exudes relaxation. And so they did—in 2007, Shuckin' Shack was born, offering its guests a "lifestyle experience" in addition to exceptional seafood. Since beginning to pursue growth through franchising in 2014, Shuckin' Shack has grown to over 15 locations across five states and is continuing to develop in inland markets, as well.

9. Pool Scouts*

Pool Scouts is a residential service franchise focused on delivering reliable and consistent pool cleaning, maintenance and minor repair services. Operating in an industry that remains largely untapped by a dominant national player, Pool Scouts began franchising in 2016 and has since grown to nearly 20 territories nationwide—and as a mobile-based, low-cost opportunity with available territories across the United States, the future is bright for the young brand.

10. FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers

Headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, FYZICAL is the fastest-growing physical therapy franchise in the U.S. A unique player in the senior care space, FYZICAL offers comprehensive patient care through unique balance protocols and healthy lifestyle products and services geared primarily toward the elderly population. The brand champions patient choice and direct access, and as a result, has become a leader in the fields of health, wellness and preventative care. With more than 380 centers in 45 states, FYZICAL’s business model is designed to optimize profitability and growth for franchisees, allowing for such an impressive level of growth since launching franchise opportunities in 2013.