BrandONE

3 Trends Shaping Franchise Growth in 2026

Don’t wait until Q2 to react. Here’s what’s coming & how to stay ahead of it.

Trend #1: Operational Efficiency Will Outperform Pure Scale

  • What’s Happening: Franchise systems with leaner, tech-enabled operations will outpace those chasing unit count alone. Investors and candidates are prioritizing brands that run smarter, not just bigger.
  • What To Do Now: Audit your systems. Is your franchise model built to support franchisees efficiently at scale? If not, now’s the time to tighten training, automate processes, and invest in backend readiness.

Trend #2: Flexible-Ownership Concepts Will Dominate the Pipeline

  • What’s Happening: Busy professionals want income-generating assets, not second jobs. The most in-demand opportunities in 2026 will offer operational support, passive or semi-passive ownership, and a clear ROI story.
  • What To Do Now: Clarify your value prop to the investor class. Brand messaging should highlight low-touch operations, unit economics, and how your model reduces day-to-day friction.

Trend #3: Values-Driven Franchising Will Shape Buyer Decisions

  • What’s Happening: Franchise buyers care more than ever about who they’re partnering with. Brands with clear purpose, inclusive cultures, and long-term vision will win hearts and deals.
  • What To Do Now: Double down on brand storytelling. Highlight your leadership, mission, and franchisee success stories. Buyers aren’t just investing in a model – they’re investing in your culture.

Bottom Line: 2026 isn’t the year to play catch-up. It’s the year to lead. At BrandONE, we help franchisors build for what’s next – not just react to what’s now. Let’s talk about how to future-proof your growth strategy before Q1 ends.

Growth BluePrint: JT Thiessen on Scaling Service Brands & Franchise‑Driven Growth

RECAP: Episode 8 – In this episode, we sit down with franchise veteran JT Thiessen, now a partner at BrandONE. His unparalleled reputation for achieving scalable, sustainable growth and managing high-performing systems make him the perfect fit to continue our legacy of delivering accelerated growth for our brand partners.

Here are the clear, actionable takeaways for franchisors, franchisees, and growth‑minded owners:

1. “Scale” Starts with the Right Operating Model

JT emphasizes that growth isn’t just about faster expansion—it’s about repeatable systems and an operating model that holds up under pressure. Without that, scale becomes chaos.

2. From Brand Strategy to Franchisee Selection

Selecting the right franchisees is non‑negotiable. JT outlines how a brand’s future is shaped by the people you bring in—candidates aligned with your culture, vision and regional strategy. Mis‑matches here cost time, money and reputation.

3. Service Brands Have Unique Growth Levers

In service‑based franchises (his specialty), JT explains that success hinges on strong unit economics, high quality delivery, and flow‑through systems. It’s less about one big location and more about replicating performance.

4. The Role of M&A and Portfolio Thinking

With his background in brands and acquisitions, JT discusses how growing via portfolio strategy (adding complementary brands, buying footprint, building multi‑unit operators) can accelerate scale—provided you keep system integrity intact.

5. Culture, Coaching & Continuous Improvement

JT points out the engines behind long‑term growth are culture and coaching—not just training and manuals. A strong culture drives retention, promotes excellence in delivery, and builds the “system advantage” that separates leading brands.

6. Why He Joined BrandONE—and What That Tells You

His move to BrandONE signals a shift: leveraging deep experience to help brands build with precision rather than just speed. The takeaway? Growth is smarter when you pair experience + strategy + selectivity.

Bottom line: If you’re a franchisor ready to scale (or a savvy investor looking at service brands), this episode with JT Thiessen is a blueprint for disciplined, sustainable growth. It’s packed with insights for building the right model, scaling with integrity, and choosing franchisees who will make your system stronger— not slower.


Listen on Spotify

Golf Without Limits: Inside Another Nine’s 24/7 Franchise Model

When it comes to franchises that break the mold, Another Nine stands out. This concept delivers a premium indoor golf simulator experience — private suites, 24/7 access, and no full‑time on‑site staff. That’s not just innovation; it’s scaling with ingenuity.

In this episode, we dive with the leadership team of Another Nine (via their partnership with BrandONE) into how they’re building a franchise system designed for growth, owner flexibility, and strong operational leverage.

Here are the key take‑aways:

1. Designing for Owner Flexibility

Traditional brick‑and‑mortar models often demand full day staffing and heavy operations oversight. Another Nine flips that: self‑service suites, high‑tech delivery, and a model where franchisees can manage more remotely. It’s about giving owners options and reducing the operational drag.

2. Leveraging the “Premium” With Practical Scalability

A luxury feel doesn’t have to mean luxury cost. By combining top‑tier simulators and private suites with smart access (24/7) and minimal staffing, Another Nine hits a sweet spot: an elevated guest experience, but a scalable business model. That makes growth more attainable for quality franchisees.

3. The Role of Systems & Support in Franchising

As with any franchise, the difference between success and struggle often comes down to the strength of the system behind the brand. In this episode, we hear about how they’re establishing the training, technology and processes so that each new unit doesn’t invent operations from scratch — they plug into what works.

4. Why This Model Attracts “New‑Era” Franchisees

More entrepreneurs today want ownership freedom, less micro‑management. Another Nine gives owners the chance to benefit from a high‑end brand and experience, but with a model built for streamlined oversight. That’s especially appealing to multi‑unit operators or those with other business interests.

5. Growing With Intent, Not Just Speed

Rather than flooding the market, the team behind Another Nine is selective—looking for franchisees who fit the model, the vision, and the culture. In the podcast, they discuss how alignment of values, brand integrity, and operational readiness matter more than simply rapid foot‑printing.

Bottom line: If you’re an emerging franchisor exploring how to build a concept with both “wow‑factor” and operational efficiency, or an investor looking for a franchise model with upside and structure, this episode is full of strategic insights. The concept of “experience + systems + selectivity” offers a powerful formula.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation on Spotify

Jeff Sturgis on Sales Mastery, Culture-Driven Teams & Scaling to $20M+

Not everyone has time to hit play—but the lessons from Episode 6 of BrandONE-on-One are too valuable to miss. We sat down with Jeff Sturgis, the franchise executive behind RestoPros and ReCoat Revolution, to unpack how he’s building two fast-growing brands and helping franchisees scale with confidence. Below is a breakdown of the key insights from our conversation.

1. Sales is a Skill — And Anyone Can Learn It

Jeff didn’t start as a natural closer. As an introvert, he had to build his sales muscle through repetition, structure, and consistency. His takeaway: Sales isn’t about charisma—it’s about confidence through preparation.

2. Signing the Franchise Agreement is Emotional

Jeff reminds us that becoming a franchise owner is a major life moment. It’s exciting—but it’s also scary. As a franchisor, your job is to meet that moment with empathy, clarity, and support. “They’re trusting you with their future,” he says. Treat it accordingly.

3. Culture Eats Strategy — Every Time

Retention, team performance, and franchisee satisfaction all tie back to culture. Jeff invests in a culture of transparency, accountability, and shared wins. The result? Franchisees stay longer, grow faster, and build stronger local teams.

4. Franchising Accelerates Learning

New franchisees avoid the costly mistakes of trial-and-error by plugging into Jeff’s proven systems. From marketing to operations, they get a tested roadmap—and the runway to scale.

5. Why He Launched a Second Brand

Jeff’s success with RestoPros gave him the confidence to go again—with ReCoat Revolution. His motivation: the opportunity to apply what he’s learned, move faster, and help more entrepreneurs build equity through ownership.

If you’re building a brand, supporting franchisees, or exploring your next business move, Jeff’s story is proof that the right systems—and the right mindset—can change everything.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation on Spotify

BrandONE Expands Portfolio with Three Purpose‑Driven Franchise Partners

Live 2 B Healthy, Scoop Brothers & Another Nine join forces with BrandONE to scale meaningful, high‑potential franchise systems

Growth isn’t about scaling fast, it’s about scaling smart. That’s why when BrandONE says “we’re selective,” we mean it. Today, we’re thrilled to welcome three new brand partners who embody the kind of mission, innovation, and strategic thinking we expect in our portfolio: Live 2 B Healthy, Scoop Brothers, and Another Nine. These aren’t just new names – they’re new opportunities to redefine what success in franchising looks like.

Why These Brands Matter

Each of these additions brings something unique but all share BrandONE’s core criteria: founded with purpose, built for scale, and led by founders who want to grow responsibly.

Live 2 B Healthy

Mission: Elevate senior wellness through on-site group fitness programs in senior living communities
Advantage: Low overhead, high social impact
Founder’s view: “BrandONE’s genuine care for both franchisor and franchisee felt like a breath of fresh air.”

Scoop Brothers

Business: Pet waste removal using route‑optimization technology and a versatile ownership model
Differentiator: Operational efficiency meets a service people actually need in neighborhoods
Perspective: “Tech gives our franchisees their freedom. Support gives them their backbone.”

Another Nine

Concept: 24/7 indoor golf simulator suites that run semi-passively
Appeal: A premium leisure experience with minimal hands‑on management
Approach: “We debated building the team ourselves – BrandONE’s alignment sealed the deal.”

What This Means for BrandONE

Michael Mudd, Partner & CEO at BrandONE, summed it up best: “Each brand reflects a different kind of opportunity – essential services, emerging consumer trends, and innovative business models. But the common thread is leadership that’s intentional about growth and values‑driven in their approach.”

For BrandONE, this is more than expansion. It’s doubling down on the kinds of franchise partnerships that deliver long-term, sustainable results. We commit 100% to operational readiness, recruiting the right franchisees, and supporting brands in building frameworks that last.

Read the full article: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brandone-welcomes-three-new-brand-partners-to-its-portfolio-302579973.html

Flexibility, Not Freedom — Lessons for Emerging Franchisors with Shannon Roderick

In episode 5 of BrandONE-on-One, we sat down with Shannon Roderick to dig into the realities of building a successful franchise system. For emerging franchisors, Shannon’s perspective is invaluable – she’s lived both sides of the equation as a multi-unit owner and now as a franchisor leading brands through growth. Here are some of the most impactful takeaways from our conversation:

1. Business Ownership Isn’t About Freedom – it’s About Flexibility

Shannon flips the script on one of the biggest misconceptions. Too often, candidates say they want to own a business for “freedom.” In reality, business ownership comes with responsibility, accountability, and long hours. What it truly offers is flexibility: the ability to build a schedule that works for you and your family, even if that means catching up after hours.

2. Listening Is Non-Negotiable

Shannon stressed the importance of listening to franchisees from day one. As a franchisor, your owners are your “internal customers.” Ignoring their feedback or dictating every move risks creating resentment and disconnect. Successful franchisors build trust by making decisions with franchisee impact in mind and communicating the “why” behind changes.

3. Remember the Weight of First-Time Ownership

Many franchisees are stepping into business ownership for the very first time. They may not know how to read a P&L, manage payroll, or grasp how small decisions affect profitability. The best franchisors don’t assume knowledge — they take time to educate and support owners, meeting them where they are.

4. Your Responsibility Gets Heavier, Not Lighter

Shannon’s reminder to new franchisors: adding franchisees doesn’t lessen your burden, it multiplies it. Every owner will have unique needs and challenges, and serving them well is the foundation of sustainable growth.

5. Build Brands with Staying Power

Her advice when selecting and growing concepts? Focus on brands that meet needs, not just wants. Pandemic-proof businesses, or those that fill enduring gaps in the market, are far better positioned for long-term franchise success.

The Bottom Line:

For emerging franchisors, success isn’t about moving fast — it’s about moving intentionally. Listen to your franchisees, educate them, and never forget that ownership is about flexibility, not freedom.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation on Spotify

Welcoming JT Thiessen as our New BrandONE Partner to Accelerate Service Brand Growth

As a leading franchise development consultancy, known for delivering strategic growth and franchise recruitment results, we’re proud to announce the appointment of Jonathan (JT) Thiessen as our newest Partner. This strategic move strengthens BrandONE’s commitment to scaling franchise systems – particularly within the fast-growing home service verticals.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome JT Thiessen as our newest Partner at BrandONE. JT’s unparalleled reputation, extensive experience, and deep knowledge of franchise systems will be invaluable as we continue to expand and refine our growth platform, particularly for service brands,” shared Michael Mudd, our CEO & Partner at BrandONE.

He continued: “As part of a key strategic initiative, BrandONE is focused on bolstering our systems and processes to better serve the home service verticals. JT’s experience as Chief Development Officer at Home Franchise Concepts and more recently with Rolling Suds makes him the perfect fit to lead this effort. His expertise in managing a diverse portfolio of 16 service brands has resulted in game-changing recruitment outcomes and an unwavering commitment to sustainable, unit-level growth.

“JT’s ability to drive results across such a large scale of brands, coupled with his impeccable reputation for quality growth, will be instrumental in advancing our strategic goals. We’re excited to have him join BrandONE and continue our legacy of delivering exceptional results for our franchise brand partners.”

JT brings over two decades of franchise leadership experience to BrandONE, with a track record of building high-performing franchise systems and delivering scalable, sustainable growth across diverse industries.

“I’ve long admired the team at BrandONE and have deep respect for both their mission and the client-first professionalism with which they pursue it. I’m honored to have been given the opportunity to join this powerhouse as a partner and look forward to bringing my passion for building first-in-class franchise brands to the table as we continue to grow,” added JT.

You’ll be able to hear more from JT and the rest of our team on upcoming episodes of our podcast BrandONE-on-One – follow our Instagram for the latest releases: https://www.instagram.com/brandonefd/

RestoPros, Powered by BrandONE, Reaches an Incredible Milestone: 125 Franchise Owners and Over 400 Territories!

We are beyond excited to celebrate RestoPros achieving a major milestone—125 franchise owners and over 400 territories now operating across the country. This is a rare accomplishment in the franchise industry, as only about 5% of franchise brands ever reach 100 franchisees, as highlighted by the International Franchise Association (IFA). It’s a powerful reflection of the strength and sustainability of the RestoPros business model.

But this milestone is more than just a number. It’s about the people behind RestoPros—the dedicated franchise owners who are the heart and soul of the brand. Each one plays a crucial role in driving the vision and mission forward: providing exceptional home restoration services that empower families to move forward after unexpected damage.

At RestoPros, our leadership team has built a solid foundation with a clear, scalable business model that’s uniquely positioned to thrive in an evolving market. We stand apart because we are market-driven, focusing on a proven system that delivers outstanding unit-level economics for franchise owners, making it a sustainable and profitable venture. Our success is built on solid unit-level economics, where franchisees can see consistent growth with strong margins in their individual markets.

What truly sets us apart is the culture we’ve fostered—a community of like-minded entrepreneurs who share a passion for excellence and helping people during some of life’s most difficult times. Our franchise owner community is a tight-knit, collaborative group that supports each other, celebrates shared wins, and remains committed to growing the brand in a way that makes a meaningful impact.

This achievement also speaks to the resilience and vision of RestoPros’ leadership, who have remained focused on long-term success while adapting to market changes and supporting franchisees every step of the way. Our mission is simple: we help homeowners restore their peace of mind by providing trusted, professional restoration services, and we do it with integrity, quality, and respect for our customers and our franchise community.

We are incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and we’re just getting started. The future of RestoPros is bright, and with the ongoing support of our franchisees, we’ll continue to expand, thrive, and make a difference in the communities we serve.

Here’s to the next 125 franchisees, and to making an even bigger impact in the restoration industry!

BRANDONE BUILDS OFF 2023 EXPANSION TO GROW BRANDS AND BUILD PORTFOLIO

Source: IFA (International Franchise Association)

Leveraging the successes of 2023, BrandONE, the premier franchise growth and development consultancy in America, is entering 2024 prepared for the rapid development of its portfolio brands and the organization as a whole. Their leadership team is intent on capitalizing on emerging trends within the franchising sector as an engine for brand expansion and maximized social impact.

One such trend is the rising interest in manager-run business concepts, as opposed to the more traditional owner-operated franchise model. This model allows franchise owners the safety and security of maintaining a full-time job while launching a compelling franchise venture.

“By trusting properly-trained managers to handle day-to-day operations of a franchise, franchise owners are able to focus on strategic decisions, providing them a sense of freedom and relief, without sacrificing the success of the business itself,” said Kurt Landwehr, Partner and Founder of BrandONE. “We’ve been working diligently to adapt to this latest trend by partnering with brands that follow similar business models, such as dermani MEDSPA® and Lifetime Green Coatings.”

BrandONE dedicated much of 2023 to expanding the company through the addition of more brands and developers, finishing with a total of 14 franchises in its portfolio. They anticipate an aggressive level of growth throughout 2024, with a particular interest in partnering with franchise brands that are recession-resistant with built-in demand.

“The brands we added last year only enhanced the development of our already diverse franchise portfolio, and we’re fully prepared to leverage that success as a springboard for transformative expansion,” Landwehr said. ““From the growth of our franchise partners, to broadening our own portfolio while adapting to the rapidly evolving business landscape, the stage is set for a formidable franchise development journey in 2024.”

More than just a franchise sales and candidate recruitment company, BrandONE partners with franchisors to sustainably build their enterprise value and help them achieve growth objectives through customized brand development solutions. Whether an emerging franchise or a well-established business, BrandONE is dedicated to guiding each brand in its portfolio through the entire franchising process, from budget creation and implementation through content creation, candidate conversations, lead handling, discovery day, and every other step in between.

BrandOne is always looking to speak with exciting brands and owners who have strong ambition to grow. For more information about BrandONE, visit brandonefd.com.

ABOUT BRANDONE

Established in 2017, BrandONE is a trusted partner to franchisors dedicated to fostering sustainable enterprise value. With a combined wealth of over 500 years of experience in cultivating the nation’s foremost brands, the BrandONE team is renowned for its diverse expertise across various business verticals and its comprehensive knowledge of all operational facets within organizations. BrandONE stands as an amalgamation of five dynamic business partners, representing a diverse portfolio of 14 distinct brands, each united by a shared aspiration: to enhance communities through sustainable and responsible growth. BrandONE remains steadfast in its commitment to this noble mission. For more information about BrandONE, visit brandonefd.com.

Read more: https://www.franchise.org/media-center/press-releases/brandone-builds-off-2023-expansion-to-grow-brands-and-build-portfolio