The 10 Hottest Franchise Trends for 2025, according to entrepreneur.com

Every year, as the calendar turns, Entrepreneur.com answers a question: What are the hottest franchising trends for the year ahead? With over 40 years of experience covering the franchise industry, they analyze emerging patterns. By observing trends in society, the types of businesses launching franchise programs, and which existing franchises are thriving, they predict what will shape the industry.

For 2025, a diverse array of franchise trends have emerged, offering opportunities across various industries. Food continues to dominate, with franchise categories like Beverages, Chicken, and Desserts leading the way—offering value for both customers and franchisees seeking budget-friendly options. Meanwhile, care-focused franchises are on the rise, spanning from Childcare and Senior Care to Mental Health and Autism Services.

This year's list reflects both time-tested opportunities and innovative ideas, with more than 400 franchises highlighted. Inclusion in this list isn't an endorsement of any particular franchise, just a brainstorming for your inspiration.

Explore the Hottest Franchise Categories for 2025

If you're considering starting a franchise in 2025, this year's trends offer exciting opportunities across diverse industries. From food to fitness and care services, there's a niche for every passion. To make finding the right franchise easier, Entrepreneur.com also provides a match calculator on their website, helping you identify the best fit for your goals and interests.

Beverages

Beverage franchises remain a popular choice for their consistent demand and variety.

Tropical Smoothie Café: Known for its health-focused smoothies and quick bites.
Smoothie King: A leader in the smoothie industry with a focus on wellness.
Scooter's Coffee: A fast-growing drive-thru coffee franchise.
The Human Bean: Offers high-quality coffee with a focus on friendly, personalized service.

Chicken

Chicken franchises continue to thrive, driven by customer love for convenience and flavor.

Wingstop: Famous for its bold wing flavors and fast-casual dining experience.
Slim Chickens: Focuses on fresh, high-quality chicken tenders and comfort food sides.
Golden Chick: A long-standing name in the fried chicken industry with a loyal customer base.

Childcare

Childcare franchises cater to the growing demand for quality early education.

The Learning Experience Academy of Early Education: Combines fun and learning with a proven curriculum.
The Goddard School: Offers play-based learning in a nurturing environment.
Kiddie Academy: Focuses on fostering children's intellectual and social growth.

Children's Fitness

Fitness franchises for kids promote healthy habits and active lifestyles.

The Little Gym: A pioneer in motor skill development and confidence-building for kids.
Skyhawks & SuperTots Sports Academy: Introduces kids to sports with fun, skill-focused programs.
KidStrong: A unique training center that helps kids grow stronger physically and mentally.

Desserts

Dessert franchises attract customers seeking sweet treats with a side of joy.

Kona Ice: A mobile shaved ice franchise with vibrant branding and community appeal.
Culver's: Known for its frozen custard and ButterBurgers, offering a family-friendly experience.

Home Improvement

Home improvement franchises remain in demand as people invest in their living spaces.

Budget Blinds: Specializes in custom window treatments with a focus on style and function.
Kitchen Tune-Up: Offers affordable kitchen updates with quick turnaround times.
Koala Insulation: Helps homeowners save on energy costs with eco-friendly insulation solutions.

Pets

Pet franchises thrive on people's love for their furry friends.

Dogtopia: Offers dog daycare, boarding, and spa services with a focus on safety and fun.
Zoom Room: A dog training facility that combines exercise, obedience, and socialization.
Aussie Pet Mobile: A mobile grooming service that brings convenience to pet owners.

Senior Care

Senior care franchises provide vital services for the aging population.

Home Instead: Offers personalized in-home care to help seniors maintain independence.
Senior Helpers: Focuses on providing companion and personal care services.
Homewatch CareGivers: Delivers high-quality care with a family-centered approach.

Mental Health Services and Autism Services

These franchises meet the growing demand for mental health and developmental support.

Cereset: Provides innovative brain training to manage stress and improve sleep.
New Mom School: Supports new mothers with education and community-building resources.
Success on the Spectrum: Specializes in autism therapy with a focus on life skills.
Essential Speech and ABA Therapy: Combines speech therapy and applied behavior analysis for children.

Source: entrepreneur.com

What to Consider When Choosing a Franchise (Your Budget Aside)

Choosing the right franchise is about more than just the financial investment. To ensure long-term success and satisfaction, you should carefully evaluate several factors that go beyond your budget.

1. Your Interests and Passion

Running a franchise requires dedication, so choose an industry that genuinely interests you. Ask yourself:

Do you enjoy the type of work involved?
Are you passionate about the products or services offered?

Your enthusiasm can greatly influence your commitment and how you inspire others in your business.

2. Brand Reputation

Research the franchise's reputation among customers and franchisees. A strong, respected brand can attract more customers and make your marketing efforts easier. Consider:

How long has the franchise been in business?
What do online reviews, ratings, and testimonials say about the brand?

3. Franchise Support System

One of the benefits of franchising is the built-in support system. Before committing, assess the quality and extent of the support provided, including:

Training programs for new franchisees.
Ongoing operational, marketing, and technical assistance.
Resources like marketing materials and software.

4. Territory Protection

Check whether the franchise offers exclusive territory rights to protect you from internal competition. Overlapping territories can dilute your market and affect your profitability.

5. Flexibility and Scalability

Consider whether the franchise model allows room for growth or adaptability.

Can you expand to multiple locations in the future?
Are there opportunities to add new services or products as the market evolves?

6. Legal and Contractual Obligations

Thoroughly review the franchise agreement with a legal professional. Pay close attention to:

The length of the contract and renewal terms.
Non-compete clauses that might limit future business opportunities.
Any fees beyond the initial investment, such as royalties or advertising costs.

7. Customer Demand and Market Trends

Analyze the demand for the franchise's products or services in your area.

Is there a proven market for it?
Does the business align with current and future trends?

8. Existing Franchisee Satisfaction

Speak with current and former franchisees to get honest feedback. Ask about their experiences, including:

Initial support and training.
Day-to-day challenges and successes.
Profitability and long-term viability.

9. Time Commitment

Understand the level of involvement the franchise requires. Some franchises demand a full-time commitment, while others may allow for semi-absentee ownership. Choose a model that fits your lifestyle and availability.

10. Alignment with Your Values

A franchise that aligns with your values and ethics will make running the business more fulfilling. Reflect on whether the company's mission and practices resonate with you.

How and Why to Protect Your Franchise with Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security

When running a franchise, you're juggling multiple responsibilities: managing emails, using social media to promote your business, handling accounting software, and keeping everything running smoothly across different devices.

Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security is a simple, affordable solution designed to protect everything you rely on to run your franchise.

Here's how it works and why it matters:

1. Phishing and Email Protection

You'll likely use email for everything—communicating with customers, vendors, and even your employees. But hackers can send fake emails pretending to be someone you trust, trying to trick you into sharing private information. Bitdefender stops these sneaky attacks before they reach your inbox, keeping your business safe.

2. Digital Identity Protection

Your franchise relies on sensitive information, like customer data and employee records. Bitdefender scans the internet for any signs that your business or employees' data has been leaked or breached. If it finds anything, you'll be notified so you can act quickly to protect your business.

3. Password Manager

Imagine keeping track of passwords for your accounting software, social media accounts, and online tools. Using weak or repeated passwords makes you an easy target for hackers. Bitdefender's Password Manager helps you create strong, unique passwords for all your accounts and stores them securely, so you don't have to remember them all.

4. VPN (Virtual Private Network)

Whether you're working from your office, home, or a coffee shop, your internet connection can be vulnerable to hackers. Bitdefender's VPN gives you unlimited secure access, ensuring your online activity and data are protected, no matter where you are.

5. Scam Copilot

Ever received a suspicious email or text and weren't sure if it was real? Bitdefender's Scam Copilot uses AI to help you spot scams instantly. It even trains your employees to recognize and avoid scams, improving your team's cybersecurity skills.

6. Malware Protection

Hackers use ransomware and other harmful software to target businesses of all sizes. Bitdefender protects all your devices—Windows PCs, Macs, iPhones, Android phones, and even Windows servers—from these threats. Whether you're checking emails on your phone or managing accounts on your laptop, your business is covered.

You don't need to be a tech expert to use Bitdefender. Its simple dashboard lets you monitor your business's security and handle threats with ease, saving you time and stress. Check it out at bitdefender.com/solutions/small-business-security and experience the peace of mind that comes with comprehensive protection.