The Top Retail Franchises to Watch in 2023

The retail franchise category is one of the most diverse in the industry. Options range everywhere from clothing to grocery to pet care and more. 

With that, it can be hard to narrow down your options. The good news is that there is plenty of opportunity within the space. To help begin your search, 1851 Franchise compiled a list of the top 15 opportunities to watch in the new year. 

The UPS Store

Investment Range: $122,000–$508,000
Unit Count: 5,460+

The UPS Store offers aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to own and run their own businesses with the trusted support of an experienced national brand every step of the way. The franchise offers a variety of benefits, including our world-class training to make the franchisee experience fulfilling. 

Pet Supplies Plus

Investment Range: $455,000–$1,500,000
Unit Count: 632

For over 30 years, Pet Supplies Plus has been a leader in the pet supplies retail industry. In 2022, the brand ranked No. 20 in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 and No.1 in the pet industry for the eighth year in a row.

7-Eleven

Investment Range: $125,000–$1,300,000
Unit Count: 81,000+

As the world’s largest convenience store and a top franchisor, 7-Eleven is a legendary brand that is known and loved around the world. With 9,000 stores in the U.S. and over 80,000 worldwide, there’s plenty of opportunity to go around.

Ace Hardware

Investment Range: $292,000–$2,100,000
Unit Count: 5,674

Ace Hardware is a favorite amongst hardware shoppers. The company began in 1924 but didn’t start franchising until over five decades later, in 1976. 

Budget Blinds

Investment Range: $141,000–$212,000
Unit Count: 1,378

Budget Blinds’ mission is to provide personalized service and great style for every budget. Every week, the retailer’s franchisees do an average of 50,000 window-covering installations, according to the brand. 

Snap-on

Investment Range: $175,000–$412,000
Unit Count: 4,771

Since 1920, Snap-on has been a leader in the professional tool industry. Franchisees pride themselves on selling some of the most premium, high-quality products around to their customers.

Circle K

Investment Range: $269,000–$2,100,000
Unit Count: 11,000+ 

Circle K’s success in the convenience retailing industry spans more than 60 years. Business operators have the opportunity to work with a franchisor that helps grow new ventures and offers the flexibility to tailor individual stores to the customers they serve.

Petland

Investment Range: $301,000–$1,100,000
Unit Count: 249

For more than 50 years, Petland has been a leader in the retail pet industry. The franchise’s pet counselors are dedicated to matching the right pet with the right customer and meeting the needs of both. 

Uptown Cheapskate

Investment Range: $346,000–$544,000
Unit Count: 102

Uptown Cheapskate is not your average thrift store. With over 100 stores across the nation, the award-winning franchise model is growing rapidly and looking for dedicated franchise partners to promote sustainable fashion. 

Buddy’s Home Furnishings

Investment Range: $350,000–$840,000
Unit Count: 330

Buddy's Home Furnishings offers customers affordable payments on rent-to-own home necessities. With over 60 years of experience, the brand has developed a proven business model that it says is truly a “business in a box.”

Wild Birds Unlimited*

Investment Range: $198,000–$326,000
Unit Count: 357

Wild Birds Unlimited specializes in bird seed, bird feeders and many other bird-feeding supplies. Franchisees are committed to serving their communities and spreading the joy of backyard bird feeding.

Plato’s Closet

Investment Range: $270,000–$407,000
Unit Count: 497

Plato’s Closet buys and sells gently used clothes, shoes and accessories, so customers can recycle the items they no longer wear and get paid on the spot. With more stores opening each year, the brand continues to provide marketplace success for franchisees passionate about delivering the latest trends.  

The Good Feet Store

Investment Range: $137,000–$396,000
Unit Count: 207

Good Feet began as a family-owned business in 1992 with a mission to help people who suffered from foot and back pain that diminished their quality of life. The brand’s product line of arch supports is purposefully engineered to alleviate the pain associated with common foot-related conditions. 

Batteries Plus

Investment Range: $222,000–$431,000
Unit Count: 725

In 1988, Batteries Plus opened as a response to the evolving needs of the replacement battery market and began franchising in 1992. The increasing demand for specialty and replacement batteries has led to the franchises’ success and expansion. 

Farm Stores

Investment Range: $160,000–$826,000
Unit Count: 46

Farm Stores is “America’s largest and original drive-thru grocery store.” It started franchising in Florida in 2015 and now has over 40 operating franchised locations, with more under construction. 

Play It Again Sports

Investment Range: $293,000–$401,000
Unit Count: 284

Play It Again Sports is a sporting goods retailer owned by Winmark Corporation. Franchise partners have been providing athletes of every age the new and quality used sports and fitness equipment since 1988.