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.


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