The Top 25 Franchise Opportunities to Celebrate this Christmas

The most wonderful time of the year is here, and the franchising industry has all your needs covered. 

Whether you're looking to transform your home into a winter wonderland or indulge in tasty treats, check out these Santa-approved franchises. 

Lighting and Decoration Franchises

Christmas Decor**

• Investment Range: $23,550–$110,250
• Unit Count: 300+ 

Christmas Decor has become the leading holiday decorating brand in the U.S. and Canada. Originally created as an off-season supplement to the landscaping business, the franchise now brings holiday cheer to over 300 communities across North America, which has created jobs for 3,000-plus seasonal workers that might otherwise be unemployed. 

Shack Shine

• Investment Range: $136K–$269K
• Unit Count: 59

Shack Shine puts a strong emphasis on Christmas lighting. The franchise’s installation service makes it easy for clients to get in the holiday spirit without having to lift a finger. They take care of lights and design, as well as installation and takedown. 

NiteLites

• Investment Range: minimum of $65,585
• Unit Count: 17

NiteLites Outdoor Lighting Franchise has been a recognized and trusted name for commercial and residential energy-efficient, low-voltage, outdoor lighting since 1992. Skilled lighting designers custom design lighting systems to showcase the specific features of each property they work on. 

Blingle!

• Investment Range: $281K–$419K
• Unit Count: 48

At Blingle!, expert lighting designers have put a shine on holidays and events for thousands of homeowners and business owners alike. An experienced design-and-install team keeps clients off the ladder during the holiday season and installing premier lighting to make any home shine bright. 

Decorating Den Interiors

• Investment Range: $44K–$70K
• Unit Count: 220

Since 1969, Decorating Den Interiors has been making the world more beautiful, one room at a time, with individually owned and operated franchises throughout the United States and Canada. Whether you want to get your home ready for the holidays or simply need a change, Decorating Den has your back. 

Everything Christmas

• Unit Count: 7

After seeing the Halloween “pop up” store model, the owners of Everything Christmas thought “why not Christmas?” Today, locations that pop up every year carry a large selection of quality Christmas decorating merchandise at affordable prices. 

Shine

• Investment Range: $111K–$186K  
• Unit Count: 53

With Shine, customers can stay warm and cozy while an expert team provides all the design, installation and storage for your holiday wreaths, garland, decorations and lighting. The franchise also includes an exclusive three-year warranty. 

Outdoor Lighting Perspectives

• Investment Range: $85,025–$184,050
• Unit Count: 126

Outdoor Lighting Perspectives does one thing: outdoor lighting. And it does so with a passion for perfection. It uses premium quality materials, attention to detail and consistently responsive customer service. 

Santa’s Favorite Sweet Treat Franchises

Paris Baguette**

• Investment Range: $652,565–$1,750,900 
• Unit Count: 4,000+

Paris Baguette does two things better than any other bakery/cafe franchise: a comfortable, inviting customer experience and the highest-quality baked goods and coffees. Its dedication to making sure every crumb of baked goods, every wisp of cake frosting and every drop of coffee spreads joy sets it apart in every neighborhood it's in. 

Crumbl Cookies

• Investment Range: $227,666–$567,833
• Unit Count: 900+

Even Santa loves Crumbl Cookies, the cookie franchise that took social media by storm. Crumbl’s rotating menu features 200-plus flavors that are inspired by cakes, candies, pies and all kinds of desserts. Weekly rotating flavors keep customers coming back to taste new cookies, stock up on returning favorites and try out the classics. 

Mrs. Fields

• Investment Range: $200K–$492K
• Unit Count: 300+

The Mrs. Fields brand is one of the most iconic cookie franchises in the United States. In addition to cookie shops, customers can send cookies to loved ones for the holidays (and year round!) or order cookies online straight to their homes. 

Scooped Cookie Dough Bar

• Investment Range: $94K–$182K
• Unit Count: 2

Scooped Cookie Dough Bar was established to safely share the love of cookie dough. The franchise makes its dough with fresh ingredients, pasteurized eggs and heat-treated flour to ensure a way to eat “raw” cookie dough. 

Cookies by Design

• Investment Range: $120K–$220K
• Unit Count: 80+

Have a loved one who is allergic to flowers? Give them a cookie bouquet instead! At Cookies by Design, customers can get customized, delicious bouquets and add personalized messages and local hand delivery. 

Cinnabon

• Investment Range: $232,400–$621,400
• Unit Count: 1,800+

World-famous bakery franchise Cinnabon is pretty much synonymous with the cinnamon roll. Its sweet, irresistible products and outstanding service have not only landed it on Santa’s nice list, but have taken the brand from a single bakery in Seattle to a growing, international franchise. 

Nothing Bundt Cakes

• Investment Range: $483,600–$699,700.
• Unit Count: 500+ 

At every Nothing Bundt Cakes location, bundt cakes are handcrafted in a variety of delicious flavors and sizes. Bakeries also offer a wide selection of retail items, including party supplies, décor and gifts, making it a perfect one-stop celebration shop.

Edible

• Investment Range: $183,600–$409,700
• Unit Count: 900+

Edible, the beloved gifting and dessert retail franchise, has long been known for its celebratory fruit bouquets. Its assortment of freshly made gifts are perfect for creating extra sweet memories and plenty of smiles. 

WOOPS!

• Investment Range: $64,875–$139,475
• Unit Count: 26 

WOOPS! was born in 2012 amongst the bustling holiday shops at Bryant Park in New York City. The franchise wanted to share delicious, specialty macarons with shoppers and, in just nine weeks, they sold $250,000 worth of macarons. Today, the franchise is sharing those macaroons around the country. 

Great American Cookies*

• Investment Range: $196K–$412K 
• Unit Count: 400+

Great American Cookies was founded in 1977 by Michael Cole and Arthur Karp and stands as the first franchised retail cookie store in the United States. The founders developed the business around a generations-old family recipe and became a true industry leader, with a huge following of loyal customers to show for it. 

Toy and Game Franchises

Learning Express Toys & Gifts

• Investment Range: $177,991–$373,514
• Unit Count: 90

Learning Express Toys & Gifts provides children with activities and events to entertain them for days. The company was founded in 1987 and has been selling its trademark toys, books, games and children’s accessories for several decades.

Build-A-Bear Workshop

• Capital Requirements: $5 million–$12 million
• Unit Count: 400+ 

Build-A-Bear Workshop was originally conceived as a place for children to create their own teddy bear with a step-by-step process, including the iconic Heart Ceremony. Today, the franchise is a multi-generational global brand that has been warming the hearts of consumers for over 25 years. 

Once Upon a Child

• Investment Range: $277K–$418K 
• Unit Count: 400+

The founders of Once Upon A Child know how much gently used clothing, toys and baby gear can be hidden in a family’s home. That’s why the retail franchise buys and sells second-hand products at a discounted price. 

Mind Games

• Minimum Cash Required: $30,000
• Unit Count: 12

Mind Games, with its motto “The Shop for Creative Minds at Play,” is a retail franchise that offers a selection of toys and games for kids of all ages, such as educational toys and games, board games, science kits and robotic toys.

Bricks & Minifigs

• Investment Range: $120,120–$282,575 
• Unit Count: 78

Bricks & Minifigs is a one-stop-shop franchise for all things LEGO. The franchise offers new and used pieces and sets to complete any LEGO collection. 

Chimney Preparation

Midtown Chimney Sweeps

• Investment Range: $73K–$145K
• Unit Count: 36

Midtown Chimney Sweeps is in a category of one. Get your chimney ready for Santa to shimmy down with this franchise that specializes in the hearth industry, also known as the fireplace manufacturing and maintenance industry. In addition to chimney sweeping, the brand also performs related services like dryer vent cleaning, light maintenance and chimney repairs.

Merry Christmas!

From all of us at 1851 Franchise to all of our readers and everyone who worked with us this year, thank you. Your clicks, shares and feedback enables us to celebrate the franchising industry like every day is Christmas.