Franchise Growth

CINCINNATI – – October 29, 2026 -- FirstLight Home Care has passed 300 locations across the United States and sent President and CEO Glee McAnanly on a cross-country RV tour to visit its franchise owners, their teams and caregivers.

Best Days Tour began in Maine on Oct. 26

The tour started Monday, Oct. 26, with a kickoff event at Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The first leg covers the East Coast this fall, and additional stops across the United States are planned for 2027.

McAnanly is traveling in a FirstLight-branded RV, which the company calls the "Care-A-Van." She will meet franchise owners in their communities, recognize anniversaries and expansions, and listen to operating challenges. The company said it chose the road over a staged celebration, with McAnanly noting it did not want to mark 300 locations "from a conference room."

Marina, California – October 22, 2026 -- The Brass Tap's Marina, California, location posted the highest sales volume in the franchise's system during its first full year of operation, earning owner Karl Waller the Highest Sales Volume Award at the 2026 FSC Franchise Conference.

The honor follows Waller's 2025 Franchisee of the Year title. The upscale American tavern brand operates more than 50 locations across 16 states and has offered franchise opportunities for more than 10 years.

Food became an equal traffic driver alongside craft beer in Marina

Waller initially expected craft beer to drive most of the restaurant's traffic. Food quickly became an equally important part of the business, drawing families as well as guests seeking drinks and entertainment. He and his family have continued to adjust the operation to local demand, including building out the food and events side.

Jackson, Miss. – October 16, 2026 -- Newk's Eatery, a fast-casual brand with nearly 100 locations, has taken the No. 244 spot on the 2026 Franchise Times Top 400, which ranks the largest U.S.-based franchise systems by global systemwide sales.

Top 400 systems generated $784 billion in 2025 sales, up 4.3%

According to Franchise Times, the 400 largest U.S.-based franchise systems generated $784 billion in global sales in 2025, a 4.3% increase over the previous year. The ranking draws on company-reported data, franchise disclosure documents and other financial information.

Newk's also ranks No. 25 on Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers

Newk's was separately named No. 25 on the 2026 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers list. The brand, founded in 2004, operates nearly 100 locations and sells sandwiches, salads, soups and pizzas.

ORLANDO – October 16, 2026 -- Jeremiah's Italian Ice moved up four spots to No. 375 on the 2026 Franchise Times Top 400, up from No. 379 in 2025, in the annual ranking of the largest U.S.-based franchise systems by global systemwide sales.

The Franchise Times list is the result of a five-month research and reporting process covering franchise brands across industries.

Jeremiah's reports 175+ locations open or in development nationwide

The frozen dessert brand was founded in 1996 and began franchising in 2019. It has built its footprint across the Southern United States. The company says its pipeline of open and in-development units stands at more than 175 locations.

CEO Michael Keller said the ranking reflects system growth and that the company is focused on building a sustainable brand that creates opportunity for franchisees.

Los Angeles – October 06, 2026 -- Zoom Room Dog Training franchisees delivered 15.1% year-over-year same-store sales growth across the combined second and third quarters, with quarterly performance accelerating from 12.0% in Q2 to 18.2% in Q3 across the company's 45-plus unit system.

Strategic pause on new-unit development preceded the sales surge

The gains follow a deliberate decision in late 2025 to halt new-unit development and focus on operational fundamentals. Zoom Room added new leadership, including former Petco CEO Ron Coughlin as Chairman, training executive Darris Cooper, and franchise development executive Jackie Mendes. The company also deployed custom operations and marketing technology platforms and overhauled franchise management and support processes.

Hartland, Wis. – September 29, 2026 -- Batteries Plus has signed a four-store development agreement with franchise owners Clint and Jolene Coates to expand into Lake County, Florida, with the first location opening in The Villages within the next year.

Franchisees plan four stores across Central Florida within six years

The agreement calls for four Batteries Plus locations to open across The Villages and surrounding communities north of Orlando over the next six years, according to the company. The Coates family is structuring the venture as a multi-generational business, with son Cayden Coates and son-in-law Paul Clement taking on day-to-day retail and commercial management while Clint and Jolene Coates focus on sales and development as additional stores launch.

Newport Beach – September 24, 2026 -- Ultimate Longevity Center (ULC) has surpassed 300 sold territories worldwide after unveiling a 50-location Australian franchise rollout, with the first center confirmed for Sydney's Double Bay in Q1 2027.

ULC crosses 300 global territories within a year of launching U.S. franchise sales

The longevity and human-optimization brand, built by Sequel Brands founder Anthony Geisler alongside human biologist Gary Brecka and precision health platform Lifeforce, has sold more than 275 territories across the United States since opening franchise sales in 2026, including 200 in its first four months. The newly announced 50-center Australian network pushes the brand's global footprint past 300 territories.

New Orleans – September 24, 2026 -- HOTWORX, the 24-hour infrared sauna fitness franchise, has surpassed 900 open studios worldwide and now serves more than 400,000 members, putting the brand on track to hit 1,000 locations by spring 2027.

Franchise Network Crosses 900 Studios Nearly a Decade After Launch

HOTWORX opened its first studio in Oxford, Miss., in 2017. The brand has since expanded across the United States, Canada, Ireland and Dubai, with 408,693 members recorded this year and new studios in development in Mexico and Kenya.

Member-to-Owner Pipeline Drives Majority of Franchise Growth

A majority of HOTWORX franchisees joined the system as members before converting to ownership, according to the company. Founder and CEO Stephen P. Smith said the model is working at scale, noting that most owners experienced the infrared workout firsthand before signing a franchise agreement.

Indianapolis – – September 22, 2026 -- CMIT Solutions marked its 30th year in business at CMIT Connect Live! 2026, a multi-day convention in Indianapolis that brought together franchise owners, technicians and technology partners from its national managed IT services and cybersecurity network.

Dayal Bhagat wins top franchise honor for growth across three regions

The Franchise of the Year Award, the event's highest honor, went to Dayal Bhagat, who operates CMIT Solutions locations serving Roanoke, Virginia, and North Charlotte and Statesville, North Carolina. The award recognized sustained business growth, service delivery and alignment with CMIT's core values. Other nominees included Matt McCracken, Mike Minkler, Tom Shirey, Cheryl Nelan and Evan Stein, and Marty and Leslie Wood.

Visalia, Calif. – September 16, 2026 -- Crunch Fitness franchisee Fitness Ventures LLC will open a $5 million, 50,000-square-foot club in Visalia, California, in late 2026, marking the company's 26th location in the state.

Crunch Visalia debuts the brand's new 3.0 design format

Located at 3535 S. Mooney Boulevard, the facility will feature Power Half Hour Circuit Training, Olympic lifting platforms, hot yoga, a functional HIITZone with indoor turf, HydroMassage beds, an infrared sauna, a Frost Locker, and Kids Crunch babysitting. Pre-sales open in late 2026, with memberships starting at $9.99 per month. The first 500 founding members will get $1 down, one month free, a t-shirt, and discounts on training packages.