The Franchise Times (FT) recently published its “Fast & Serious” list for 2019, which it dubs as its ranking of the “smartest-growing franchises.” According to FT:
“Franchise Times created a formula to identify fast-growing franchise systems that also have staying power. . . . [The formula includes] percentage sales growth, percentage unit growth, dollar sales growth and numerical unit growth over the past three years. The database for the project is the Franchise Times Top 200+, our annual ranking published in October of the largest franchise systems by revenue. Haskin identified the companies that submitted information for all three years for that project, then selected for analysis those with systemwide sales above $40 million.”
The list includes franchises in many of the sectors you would expect – like fitness and fast-casual dining – as well as some that you might not – like eyelash extensions and pest control. Here is the complete list from 1-40 (more information about each franchise is available through the link above):
- Club Pilates
- Orangetheory Fitness
- Burn Boot Camp
- Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers
- Amazing Lash Studio
- Restoration 1
- Blaze Pizza
- 9Round
- uBreakiFix
- Goldfish Swim School
- Freshii
- Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar
- Circle K
- The Halal Guys
- Nothing Bundt Cakes
- Mosquito Joe
- Planet Fitness
- Chicken Salad Chick
- HomeVestors
- Hand & Stone
- Tropical Smoothie Café
- Nekter Juice Bar
- Anytime Fitness
- United Real Estate
- TeamLogic IT
- Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
- Jersey Mike’s Subs
- Workout Anytime
- Profile by Sanford
- Dogtopia
- 911 Restoration
- Sola Salon Studios
- Black Bear Diner
- The Joint Chriropractic
- Aqua-Tots Swim Schools
- CarStar
- Wingstop
- RNR Tire Express
- Paul Davis Restoration
- Chick-fil-A
Our Key Takeaways from the FT “Fast & Serious” List for 2019
So, what does this list tell us?
1. Comparatively Smaller Brands Dominate the List
While most of the names on the “Fast & Serious” list are now well-known, they are not on the same playing field as the brands at the top of the FT’s Top 200+ list for 2019. In fact, Chick-fil-A is the only globally-recognized brand on the “Fast & Serious” list.
2. Fitness and Wellness are Clearly the Top Sectors for Growth
Based on the list, fitness and wellness are indisputably the top franchise sectors when it comes to growth in recent years. The top four franchises are all fitness concepts, and more than a third of the list falls into the health and wellness category.
3. Food is Still Popular
Of course, not everyone is into health and wellness all the time. Along with concepts like Freshii and Nekter Juice Bar, there are still plenty of burger, chicken sandwich, and desert options on the list as well.
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